Dance
"Movement and gesture are components of communication," states Ilona Kessell, head of the dance department. "When raised to the level of art, movement is dance. Dance challenges an individual's physical and intellectual skills, ultimately tapping into thoughts and emotions often left unstated."
For students seeking to express themselves through artistic movement, McDonogh's dance studio is the place to be. Here, fifth through twelfth graders experience the joy such movement can bring. Practice and performance opportunities exist for all, whether they're just beginning or have been training for years.
Upper School Dance
Students taking dance in the Upper School receive the same kind of focused training they would get at a commercial studio. Tap, jazz, and musical theater dance classes concentrate on perfecting technical skills. Students may enroll in dance classes to fulfill arts requirements or for the pure love of dance. All dance students perform in the winter dance recital.
The January dance concert always generates rave reviews. These large-scale concerts include ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dances choreographed by Ilona Kessel with contributions from guest choreographers and student choreographers. An annual spring studio concert features dancers sharing their works-in-progress.
Listing of Upper School Dance CoursesMiddle School Dance
Fifth and sixth graders choose either band or chorus and dance to fulfill their arts requirements. Many students in this class are participating in dance for the first time. These young students focus on creative movement and improvisation, learning to experience themselves in an imaginative, new way. Usually, a third to a half of fifth and sixth graders choose the combined dance-chorus option.
Seventh graders choose between band, dance, chorus, and visual art, and those who elect dance receive specific, technical training. They focus on technique, body alignment, and vocabulary in dedicated practice two to three times a week. Eighth graders continue honing their skills in jazz and modern dance.
All these young dancers perform at the annual Middle School dance concert held in the school's Ceres M. Horn Theatre in May.
For detailed descriptions of dance courses, see the visual and performing arts section of the Upper School course catalogue.
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