High schools dance teams around CUSD, including SJHHS Dance, have partnered with Special Education programs to prepare for a performance at Dana Hills High School on March 7th.
This performance aims to make dance accessible to everyone. The SJHHS STEPS students have the opportunity to learn the love of dance, and perform onstage alongside friends.
“The smiles are definitely my favorite part. The kids in the STEPS programs are giggling, and they are just having a great time. I love to see their confidence, and being able to give them the opportunity to dance on stage,” said dance program director Kristine Calder.
“I chose to participate in this show because there’s something about being with all the kids, they just have this light,” said beginning-intermediate dancer Siena Wells (10).
The rehearsal process started in February, and will continue on until the day of the show. The dancers rehearse at lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays. With the short amount of rehearsals, the dancers heavily rely on teamwork and independent practice.
“The rehearsal process has been really really good. At first it was a little difficult because my partner Ronny wasn’t super into it, he was more shy but it’s been cool to see him come out of his shell and be energetic, all the kids have enthusiasm and excitement about dancing,” said Wells.
Each STEPS dancer is paired with two buddies from the Dance Program, ranging within all levels, from Beginning to Advanced dance. The buddies work together in each rehearsal to execute and perfect the choreography, while adding their own style to the dance.
“I love to see the bond that has formed between the buddies and the STEPS kids,” said Calder.
The theme for the dance is Barbie. The dancers are divided up into trios, and each trio selects which Barbie they want to be.The trios will be dressed as beach Barbie, cowgirl Barbie, sports Barbie, and others.
“I picked Barbie because it’s a fun, current theme, it has fun music that can include both boys and girls, and it has the opportunity to have really cute costumes. Putting on a costume is one of the fun parts of the performance, and I thought that if we did Barbie we could have a lot of different characters and costumes,” said Calder.
“My buddy Emma loves Reba (a country music artist), so we wanted to go along with that and pick the Cowgirl Barbie theme for our costume,” said Intermediate dance captain, Sara Chirco (10).
Designed to help boost inclusivity, the STEPS dancers are the focal point of the dance, being recognized for their hard work and dedication. During the dance, each STEPS dancer is given a feature, and special part within the dance. Whether it’s a pose, dance move, or speaking part, each dancer is featured.
“I’ve loved getting to know all of them and seeing everyone walk through the door smiling has been my favorite part. Seeing them so supportive of one another when they have solo parts and the overall enthusiasm within the rehearsals is great,” said Wells.
“This was such a great opportunity to work with students of all abilities and to be able to share my love of dance with everyone,” said Chirco.
The dancers will take to the stage on March 7th, at Dana Hills High School. Tickets will be out soon on the Dance Program website.
