Brian Seam’16: A new team of talented dancers will perform during half-time at EA’s home football games this fall. EA dance, commonly known as “EAnce” by EA student dancers, has expanded into the fall season this year. In the past, dance opportunities have only been offered as a winter sport and as a club. Cara Lavallee, EA’s Head Dance Coach and Middle and Upper School teacher, has added the Fall Dance option to allow student-dancers more opportunities to perform.
Photo courtesy of Michael Leslie
“The Fall Dance option was started more formally this year. I wanted to make it an actual fitness option for those dancers who wanted to do more performing,” said Lavallee. The Fall Dance Ensemble will perform two different pieces at two different football games. The first was September 26th and the next will be on October 17th. Lavallee believes that this exposure of EA dance at crowded events “might attract a wider audience than what we would normally get to come to our dance concert.”
The dancers meet twice a week during Domino Block to prepare what Lavallee describes as “dance team street jazz” routines. “It is high energy so lots of jumps and lots of kicks, but it’s not really like cheerleading because we’re not crying out ‘Go EA!’ or things like that. We’re just performing,” explained Lavallee.
The purpose of rehearsals during Domino is to allow dancers to participate in other fall sports as well if they choose. Otherwise, the dancers are responsible for working out in the weight room on their off days. The Fall Dance team currently has eight active members, which allows for especially strong relationships with each other. “I honestly think we’re truly like a family and we all have a very unique bond that can’t necessarily be found in a typical athletic team. We’re a different crowd of people and really welcoming to everyone, so we’re unique in that we’re a really nurturing crew,” stated Stefania DiGiallorenzo ’16.
Although there are few members, the team is a diverse group that consists of students from each class of the Upper School, allowing these dancers to meet other EA students that they would not have met outside of practice. Theresa Lemke ’17 explained, “It’s a good way to meet upperclassmen and new freshmen. We all know each other and it’s a closer connected experience than the winter dance team.”
Although it is a big accomplishment that “EAnce” has officially expanded into the fall athletic season, some dancers still feel that the EA community could place increased value upon the dance program.
Some believe that the dance program needs more attention in general and that performances should be advertised as much as EA sports games are. “Dance is not even talked about and it’s kind of a hidden part of the Academy, which is unfortunate,” said DiGiallorenzo.
The goal of the football game performances is to raise awareness and draw attention to the importance of dance at EA so that more time and opportunities can be made for those students who simply love to dance.
Fortunately, dancers can already look forward to participating in yet another additional performance this coming year as Lavallee declared, “In the spring there will be Arts Fest, so we will be looking for dancers to perform in that as well, and more of EA will get to see a part of the dance team.”