School has started up again, bringing with it the many fun traditions that make Flint Hill more than just a place of learning. Chief among them are the exciting performances put on by Flint Hill’s very own Varsity Dance Team, the first of which has already happened at the football game that took place on Saturday, September 13th. The Dance Team has been a crowd favorite for years, consistently delivering performances that improve and build upon themselves throughout their season. This year, the team has continued to grow, promising a truly spectacular set of performances in the future.
Despite the lack of school for the past few months, Flint Hill’s dancers haven’t stopped working on their craft. Throughout the summer, the team met for several practices and even a three-day sleep-away program where they learned four dances they plan to perform in the coming year.
The camp also provided an opportunity for the team to bond with its new members, considering its significant expansion this past school year. The team has grown from only four dancers to a total of seven, as well as a manager. The greater number of people will allow Flint Hill to once again enter into dance competitions after a multi-year stint of no participation due to low membership. The team is currently working on two dances to submit to compete with: one in the style of Jazz and one in Pom, a genre that draws inspiration from the synchronized movements of cheerleading.
Dance Team has always prioritized student participation in as many areas as possible, and they plan to continue in the same vein this year. Seniors Nadia Ngata and Elisabeth Morello, the dance captains, will be choreographing several of the team’s performances this year. About the larger number of dancers present this year, Nadia says, “It’ll let us play with more formations. More people means a different, more dramatic overall look.” Elisabeth is excited about the new skills brought to the team by its new athletes. “It’s such a diverse skillset,” she says, adding that the new skills, preferences, and abilities brought to the team make this year’s dances sure to stand out.
Dancers who aren’t captains also have the opportunity to contribute to the team by selecting workouts, providing input, and coordinating team-building activities. All of these student operations are expertly supported by the team’s coaches, who are always there to help clean up dances, aid technique, and provide guidance wherever needed. They also take over choreography for the dances not created by the captains, with this split workload allowing more dances per year.
With one big performance already behind them, the Dance Team is eagerly looking forward to their plans for the rest of the year. As always, the Upper School team plans to involve the Middle School dancers with a joint performance and a dance clinic. They are also planning a student-choreographed dance for Flint Hill’s younger students, which is sure to be an amazing show to watch.
Every student should keep an eye out for announcements of performance dates or check the school calendar on Husky Hub for advance notice. Additionally, following @fhvarsitydance on Instagram can provide behind-the-scenes looks and news about the team as a whole.
