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YHS Dance Company ready for this year’s performance
YHS Dance Company prepares for its 42nd annual show, "An Evening of Dance," this weekend at Yorktown High School auditorium
Jan. 12, 2017 -- The Yorktown High School Dance Company has a long tradition – 42 years – and it is still going strong, maybe even stronger.
Its highly-anticipated “An Evening of Dance” is ready for the stage Jan. 19-21 in the auditorium at Yorktown High School.
“The dedication of the members of this year’s company to each other and to the art of dance is beyond that of typical adolescent expectations. They eat, sleep and breathe dance,” said Christine Orlando, a special education teacher, who advises the group with Jessica Mackenzie, a school psychologist.
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“We are thrilled to present this year’s production. We have watched the dancers’ visions become a reality and feel privileged to watch each member’s growth and greatness,” added Mackenzie.
The Dance Company, created decades ago, was guided for many years by Veronica Dwyer. It became a staple at Yorktown High School and remains an integral part of the district’s diverse arts education activities. In addition to the annual January production, the company performs for local senior citizens and other events such as pep rallies, holiday dancing grams and the awards dinner.
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This year the company consists of 66 students, boys and girls, who choreograph the dances, perform in the pieces and plan the production.
The winter program will consist of 24 dances. The program opens with “Enter the Circus” and ends with “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” featuring the full company. A dance choreographed by Olivia Resko is based on a poem entitled “To This Day” by Shane Koyczan about what it feels like to be a youngster who is bullied.
The works are original choreography by the dancers and reflect a wide range of styles: jazz, modern, tap, African, Bollywood, lyrical, East Coast and West Coast swing, hustle, Latin, hip hop, ballet and pointe.
“An Evening of Dance” will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan.20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Yorktown High School Auditorium, 2727 Crompond Road. Tickets are $15 each and can be ordered online at www.yorktown.org or purchased at the door. A performance will also be presented to area senior citizens on Thursday, Jan. 19.
