Summer Beasley, Dance Coordinator and Middle School P.E. Faculty Member, worked with the dancers to prepare for the concert. The performers took the lead on dance styles, choreography, lighting and costume design, and Beasley was there to inspire, support and guide them in their efforts and organize the overall performance. Beasley shared, “I am so proud of the dancers for their physical abilities and artistic talents demonstrated in each of the dance performances. We had a wide variety of dance styles in this year’s show, and that is something to celebrate!”
Tista Mandal ’20 had so much fun in her last dance performance as an Upper School student. “I have performed in the dance concert every year, so this last one is a little bittersweet. I have learned so much from my peers in a very collaborative environment. Dance has been my favorite experience in high school, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
On the flip side, Angel Pura ’23 said that this was her first experience with dance ever. “Going into the season, I was very nervous because all the other dancers were so good. But they were so welcoming and patient with me, and they helped me learn to dance. I look up to the older dancers as role models. They’ve inspired me to keep dancing throughout high school and maybe even in college, too.”
After the Lower School performance, one second grade boy tapped Ms. Beasley to ask “Is this something I can do when I get to Upper School?” This is yet another great example of how the JK-12 community at MICDS is so rewarding for all students. Younger students look up to older students, and older students gain confidence by serving as role models for younger students.