The dance department held its first performances for its fall concert, titled “Dancin’,” Nov. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m., following two months of preparation. The department held weekly rehearsals to refine routines, select pieces, and coordinate all of the technical and performance aspects to make the show come together.

“(The show) gives a very wide variety of opportunities (for) where our dancers can take their career,” dance teacher Ricardo Pena said. “We try to keep the department versatile in that sense.”

In preparation for the show, the department brought in guest dance teachers, such as Miguel Solano from Complexions Dance Company and Professor Holly Evans from Pace University, to help choreograph and teach the dancers a range of styles, ranging from contemporary to hip-hop routines.

“(The guest teachers) are helping the kids immensely,” Mr. Pena said. “It gives them a look into what it’s like to work with somebody that you don’t consistently work with on a regular basis.”

The dancers also practiced a routine from The George Balanchine Trust, an organization that was created to preserve and promote the dance techniques and works originally taught by ballet choreographer George Balanchine. The routine, known as Walpurgisnacht — which translates to “Witches’ Night” in English — featured as the opening act in the show and was taught to the dancers by a professional répétiteur, or dance instructor, from The George Balanchine Trust.

“We actually had a lot of trial and error when it came to partnering in this piece,” dance senior Arielle Montpeirous said. “But we ended up just trying this one, and it worked out.”

Mr. Pena said that it was also upon the dancers themselves to practice their guest pieces for the show outside of school, as they “might not rehearse or review those routines for weeks at a time.” 

“(The dancers have to) keep up the energy and stamina for those routines as well so that when they get to rehearsals at Meyer Hall, they’re able to pull those off without a hitch,” Mr. Pena said.

The production of “Dancin’” came together following months of rehearsals and planning, as well as with the help of the theatre department in managing stage lighting and music. Mr. Pena said that he admired the “diversity” of the routines performed and the effort of the dance department as a whole.

“I think it (the performance) just brings all of us together for one common goal, to put on a great show for our friends and family at the school,” Mr. Pena said. “(All the dancers) get to perform, and we’re here for the same thing everybody wants. We want to teach everybody as much as we possibly can about what we do.”