RBR Dance Students Perform for Little Bucs

Before school let out for the holidays, ’s youngest students -- -- took a field trip down the hall to the dance studio. There they were treated to a special presentation of the A Little Nutcracker performed by RBR’s dance elective students.

RBR Dance Instructor Dorianne Murray narrated the story of Clara who falls asleep on a wintery Christmas Eve after receiving the gift of a nutcracker. In her dreams the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who takes her to the land of sweets ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Little Bucs were entertained by dancers representing international Christmas treats and confections.—chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, China tea, candy canes from Russia and Danish marzipan.

RBR’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy offers eight majors, one of which is dance. However, the depth of curriculum allows for all students to take art electives not usually offered in other schools. Thus the dance elective is taken by students outside of the VPA or VPA majors in other areas such as drama. Many are exposed to dance for the first time in their lives.

“This was a great exercise for my dance elective students, some of who never saw the Nutcracker and now recognize and appreciate the classical Nutcracker music. That is a real teachable moment for me,” explains Murray, who choreographed the dances for the show.

The dance was particularly poignant for RBR student Lexi Wells, who portrayed Clara and her little brother Anthony, one of the Little Bucs who sat transfixed on his sister as she glided around the dance floor. At the conclusion of the program she scooped him up and gave him a big hug.

“The students love taking field trips in the school. This one was one of their most special experiences,” said RBR preschool teacher Ms. Eads.

RBR has operated a preschool for 3 and 4 year olds for over forty years.  Some of the current high school students are former Little Buc preschoolers. Officially known as the Preschool Lab, it is a natural sequence to the prerequisite Child and Personal Development course which covers neonatal development through adolescence. The preschoolers are a favorite part of the school community.