Yorktown Students Share Love of Dance at Annual Show

Yorktown High School Dance Company members will perform various genres of dance – a total of 26 dances choreographed by students – at their annual dance show on Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25.

Check out the video above to see what Dance Company Co-Presidents Nicole Tolli and Dana DeGennaro, both seniors, had to say about dance and the upcoming show.

The repertoire this season is comprised of ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Broadway, Irish, African, Latin (Cha Cha), Hustle, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hawaiian, Step, Broadway Tap, Kickline, Lyrical, and Breakdance. 

The company is comprised of approximately 85 students, both male and female, from grades 9 through 12. Many of the male dancers are featured in a “Just Guys” number, Hip Hop, and Breakdance.  

They will also be featured in the several partner styles of dance including Hustle, East Coast Swing, Cha Cha, and the recently added West Coast Swing and a Hip Hop partnering dance.

Each spring, choreographers are selected to choreograph various pieces to be considered for the following year’s show. The new dance numbers are prepared during the spring and summer months. At the start of the school year, each dance must be approved and auditions are held in September. Rehearsals begin in October, as soon as the new members of the Dance Company are selected. 

Yorktown High School health teacher Veronica Dwyer, who founded the Company 40 years ago, has been directing and producing the performances. This will be Dwyer's last year as she is retiring in June. In addition, she has been out on medical leave and her mighty team of students, faculty and parent volunteers have been working hard for the show. 

The show's costume manager is Marguerite Nelson. The lighting for the show has been designed by professional lighting designer, Kevin Gleason, with music edited by Sophia Calidonna. Dan Moore is the auditorium manager and Tech Crew advisor. In addition, each year teacher Gerri Kreppel and many alumni return to lend a helping hand.

Performances are on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In addition to these performances, there will be a free performance for local senior citizens on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 2:30 p.m. All performances are at the Yorktown High School auditorium.

Tickets for reserved seating are $15 (plus handling) for adults; tickets for students are $15, inclusive. Tickets will also be available to high school students in school the week of Jan. 21 for $15 cash. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Tickets can be purchased online via this link. 

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