Spinning into Spring: Final Dance Series

          This Saturday, April 27,  in the Kirby Arts Center, various student dance groups performed in the Spring Dance Series. Encorps Groups, led by student-captains in collaboration with dance department faculty such as Suavé, Lawrenceville Dance Team (LDT), Tour de Force (TDF), Nachale, Lkrew, K-Dance Crew (KDC), and FRObreats, as well as the Lawrenceville School Dance Collective (LSDC)all shared the pieces they have spent the spring choreographing and practicing with their peers, faculty, and family. For many V Formers, the end of the Spring Dance Series marks the end of their participation in the School’s performing arts program. 

          Aoife Kilfeather ’24, captain of the Lawrenceville Dance Team (LDT), began her dance journey when she was four. Kilfeather grew up learning both classical ballet and competitive dance styles, which she “further developed” at the School.  Kilfeather joined LDT during her sophomore year, and has been greatly inspired by previous captains Scarlett Tapiero ’22 and Corrine Johnson ’23. “They made it a team where there was never a wall between us in the studio,” she explained. Indeed, Kilfeather forged some of her closest friendships on the team. “[During my III Form year,] I also met [Mercedes Zobel ’22], who is the biggest mentor to me other than my teachers, at LDT,” she added. For her, dance rehearsals “felt like a time to hang out with [her] friends.” “It was my love for LDT and the girls in this team that drove me to attain a leadership role,” Kilfeather elaborated. 

          Ally Calderon ’24, captain of Suavé, however, never received any professional training. She explained, “I have only danced at family reunions and quinceaneras.”  As she was therefore exposed to Lantix dance culture, she stated, “Suavé’s style of dance focuses on togetherness. Moreover, given the heavy emphasis on partner dances, she noted that “being close as a team and physically comfortable with each other really helps [their] performance.” Despite being captain for the past three years, Calderon still described this year as special. “I am a lot more nostalgic since it is my last dance series, and I am focusing a lot more on what the legacy of suave will look like in the coming years,” she elaborated. Ultimately, even though Calderon recognized the“difficulty to think of new choreography” after repeating this process for over nine performances, she feels incredibly grateful to lead the team. This “lighthearted tight-knit family” that Calderon cultivated taught her “how to be a leader and lead people a lot older than [she] was,” and the entire experience brought her “immense joy.”

          Sonia Singhal ’24, captain of Nachale, was inspired to pursue Irish dancing as a pastime after watching the musical Riverdance. However, as Lawrenceville did not have an established Irish Dance Team, she decided to expose herself to new styles of dance. On  Nachale, the Bollywood Fusion team, Singhal found “lifelong connections that [she] will forever treasure,” describing the experience as one that unites students from different walks of life. “Bonding with my peers through shared passion is a lesson that I will take with me forever,” she remarked. “Unlike having dance as an athletic requirement and training in more traditional styles, Nachale really showed me how to have fun,” she elaborated. This year, Singhal’s role as captain taught her how to “take responsibility for the team’s morale and set a positive tone.” While the experience had its ups and downs, Singhal expressed no regrets about her experience and advised those interested in the opportunity to “just do it”. “It doesn’t hurt and you will never know who you're gonna meet,” she concluded. 

          Reflecting on their experiences with dance at the school, the senior captains honor their hard work and dedication and hope to witness the growth of the dance community at Lawrenceville in the foreseeable future.