by Pankti Dalal ’13

The 2013 Spring Dance Concert, InfraRed, will definitely leave you hoping the dancers onstage manage well enough not to fall down. Honestly. This concert is blatantly different than previous dance concerts; it’s more athletic and active and incredibly hectic. There isn’t a single moment during the concert in which the dancers will be resting peacefully. And respectively, there isn’t a single moment of this concert in which you, the audience, will not be captured by the grace and agility of the dancers.

InfraRed features 12 dances, including three choreographed by Laurel Raffetto, our Dance Director, one by Yoshio Chandler, our Guest Artist, a piece from CONNetic Dance Company, a Classical Indian dance solo choreographed by Ranjanaa Devi, a presentation of Tory Durocher’s Senior Project and a variety of dances choreographed by Williston students. There is a special piece for the graduating seniors, a piece you certainly will remember.

The dancers this spring have put in a lot of effort to perfect their technique, balance, and strength. As mentioned, this concert is quite energetic; there are cartwheels, freezes, and headstands galore. Thus, we all have our fair share of bruises. Ask any of us and we’ll be more than happy to show off our blue-purple war scars. Clearly a fair amount of hard work has gone into creating such a concert; all of the dancers can say that their blood, sweat, and tears (and maybe even a few stitches) have contributed into perfecting the choreography.

As a senior, this is the last article for the Willistonian that I will be writing. Come time for a dance concert, I am always elated to write an article, shining light on all of the wonderful dancers of the Dance Ensemble who have become members of my extended family; the bond we all share is irreplaceable. Laurel has become our mother, mentoring us, supporting us, and most importantly, loving us. She is always there when any of us need her and I want to thank her for helping us grow so much throughout the years. Brittany Collins, our Company Manager, is a friend and dancer I will never forget; not once has she complained about running to get us ice after we fall, or scampering around the dressing rooms, clasping safety pins and spraying hairspray every which way. To the entire Ensemble, Gabby, Mika, Tory, Henry, Calvin, Nan, Christina, Keely, Emma, and Jiwon, you all are amazing artists. Daily, I am fascinated by your enthusiasm to dance and your yearn to express yourself in such beautiful movements. I will truly miss every single member of the Ensemble and I hope to see them continue to dance and grow; it’s their passion.

So, I urge you to come see us perform this Friday and Saturday night…I assure you the concert will definitely give you an out of body experience you couldn’t possibly forget.