As the final production of Dance Troupe’s spring show, “Through the Decades” nears tonight, the team diligently works to perfect their last performance of the year. For seven seniors, Cece Canty (12), Melody Zhang (12), Rosemary Canban (12), Bela Henderson (12), Samantha Peiffer (12), Calista Nguyen (12), and Sophia Sands (12), this last dance reflects over a decade of training and a bittersweet end to their time on Dance Troupe.
Zhang said the aspect of Dance Troupe she cherishes most is the meaningful connection built with her teammates.
“It’s kind of sad because I know that it’s going to be the end of the era,” Zhang said. “I know that I’m not going to be dancing at a college level, so being around these people for the last time and being around all this talent is really inspiring.”
Canty said the show is an opportunity to display the years of dedication she has devoted to dance.
“This show means a lot to me since I am not gonna be continuing in college,” Canty said. “It’s my final time to put all my hard work out there and show everyone what I’ve worked up to my entire life.”
This year’s dance show will feature a wide range of dance styles and music inspired by different decades, where the production will showcase multiple genres of dance while emphasizing songs and themes that reflect different time periods.
“The audience can expect a variety of genres; we have hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz,” Zhang said. “Our theme is decades, so we’re gonna have songs from the 1960s to the 2020s. And we’re going to put our best onto the stage, so it’s going to be very entertaining.”
As the graduating class prepares for their final performance together, Canty said the memories with the senior dancers have made the experience meaningful.
“Sharing these last moments with the other senior dancers, especially since we’ve grown up all these years together, has been very special,” Canty said. “It’s really cool to see your peers thrive and become their best.”
Zhang said that this event gives her one last opportunity to connect with the other dancers before she graduates. She said the relationships she formed with the dancers, and the connected environment of the team, will be the most memorable aspects after graduating.
“I think I’m going to miss just being part of these people who are so kind and so talented and being able to work with them,” Zhang said. “It’s a really special experience, and I think that’s what I’m gonna miss most.”
Per the annual dance tradition, each senior dancer performs a solo during the spring show.
“I think this last dance will be super emotional, and I feel like it will hit a lot afterwards when it’s like, ‘Wow, we’re done forever,’” Zhang said. “I remember last year we were watching all the seniors do their solos, and this year I feel like I’m definitely gonna cry during mine. I’m sure that our teammates will as well, so that’s gonna be really emotional.”
Canty said being a part of the team has helped her strengthen her individual dance skills while working toward a shared goal, and introduced her to a more team-oriented style of dancing that emphasized collaboration during performances.
“I think being on Dance Troupe really taught me how to be on a team,” Canty said. “Before, when I was dancing, I felt like I was thinking more individually, but on Dance Troupe, there was more focus on being clean and synchronized.”
Canty said she regards her past experiences with honor. She discussed her appreciation for being part of the program and her hopes for the team’s future after the seniors graduate
“I’d say I feel pretty proud of myself and of my teammates for all the things that we’ve done throughout the years,” Canty said.
Canty expressed her positive and hopeful outlook for her teammates, highlighting her enthusiasm on how the team will prosper.
“I am very proud and appreciative that I got to experience being on this amazing team, and I can’t wait to see what they bring in these next years after we’re gone,” Canty said.
