BRIDGEWATER – The Gifted and Talented Honors Dance Department at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS), will be celebrating National Dance Week (April 19th-28th) with a dance concert choreographed by seniors in the program.
In 1981, a group of dance-related organizations realized there was a need to increase awareness of the cultural importance, impact, and benefits of dance. They founded National Dance Week as a way to bring attention to the art form and professional fields related to dance. Since then, the celebration has grown and there are currently over a thousand events held nationwide each year to commemorate the week.
One of those events is the Dance Concert at SCVTHS. The performance will feature multiple genres and styles of dance which have been choreographed by students who will be graduating from the program this year. The student choreographers are: Chayse Ankrah-Hardy of Basking Ridge; Jenna-Lee Butler of Hillsborough; Madison Corbett of Flemington; Emma Fisher of Lambertville; Marissa Lazovick of Branchburg; and Caroline Morrow of Bridgewater.
The choreographers are eager to share the performances they have created. “Getting to share our passion for dance within all the different styles is really cool” said Ms. Lazovick, adding “I think dance is such an expressive art form.” Ms. Fisher is excited to “share the passion with others” and hopes that “people feel something when we dance.” Ms. Butler agreed, adding “I feel that my choreography lets me share the joy that I get from dance with everyone else.” In addition to the creative aspects, the students also gained insight into the process of developing a dance, in particular, how much work goes into each performance. “I never knew exactly the process my dance teachers went through before I had to choreograph a piece by myself” stated Ms. Morrow.
SCVTHS Dance Department Coordinator Sheila Sullivan is proud to support National Dance Week, and is equally proud of the students in the program. “Dance is a challenging career, but I can think of no other career that brings the demands, the rewards and the joy that this field brings. Our dancers are some of the best in the area, and that takes commitment, perseverance, and a love for the art form.” Ms. Sullivan also stated that the rigor of the Gifted and Talented Honors Dance curriculum has guided many students towards a career in dance during the 40 years that the SCVTHS program has been in existence.
The Dance Concert will have two performances at 7:30 PM on April 26th and April 27th in the SCVTHS school auditorium, located at 14 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater. Admission is $15.
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