West Orange High School Dance Program Continues To Soar

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Following the annual West Orange High School Dance program’s annual student-created presentation, “Halftime,” parents, family, and community members gave the performers a standing ovation. In the seven years that the program has been in existence, it has developed into an important part of school culture, providing a creative outlet for students with a passion for the arts.

The dance program was created and performed by 49 of the 101 students currently enrolled. Students in Dance II and Honors Advanced Dance were inspired by several Superbowl Halftime performances. Media technician Lauren Grof Tisza’s lighting added mood and excitement to the show and the costumes (altered by Monica Merion) were stunning. Music from superstars like Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Rhianna, and Usher were highlighted.

“We are offering the same courses: Elements of Dance (Introductory), Dance Performance Skills (Intermediate), and Honors Advanced Dance (Advanced),” began dance instructor and teacher Melissa Sande, who has been with the program since the beginning.

Like many other programs, Covid affected enrollment.

“COVID hurt enrollment in the program as it did in many arts courses,” noted Sande, “but the class numbers and skills have steadily grown and are starting to surpass where we had been before the pandemic in 2020.”

In discussing the dance program and its evolution, Sande was enthusiastic.

“Each year of the dance program has played a critical part in where we are now,” she continued.

“We started from just having five sections of the first level in 2016, to now having six sections of dance class that offer three different levels that students can take all four years of high school,” she explained.

“We have had seven shows, including one at OSPAC during the pandemic. We have hosted three student teachers from the Dance Education Programs at Rutgers and Montclair State.”

“We received a fully funded Alvin Ailey Hip Hop Residency in partnership with South Orange Performing Art Center's educational programming.”

“We have attended field trips to Lincoln Center, Rutgers University Dance Day, and Montclair Dance Day.”

“The first National Dance Honor Society, West Orange Chapter was established (part of the National Dance Education Organization),” Sande added, “and we've had students who pursue dance come back to West Orange to teach master classes.”

Speaking of alumni, several outstanding students went on to pursue dance in college:

• Cameron Bridgers (WO 17') - Graduated from Temple University with a Dance Major in 2020
• Jonathan Najera - (WO 19')Graduated from Montclair State University as a Dance Major in 2023
• Tamia Blackwell - (WO 20')Junior Dance Major at Boston Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts
• Gabby Rembert - (WO 22') Sophomore in Commercial Dance at Pace University
• Alexander Aromin-Gabbay (WO 20')- Member of Award-Winning RU Breaks Break Dance Crew

As the program and its popularity continues to grow, Sande is excited about its future.

“The dance program at WOHS is living up to its mission of creating an inclusive environment for all students, regardless of what level of dance they have,” Sande stated.

“We are building the social and emotional skills, as well as the creative problem-solving 21st-century skills in the arena of dance that will remain with them after they leave West Orange,” she concluded.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE HALFTIME CONCERT HERE.

See the dance program flyer here.

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