After a season of intense training and dedication, on Thursday, March 19, the SHS Dance Company showcased this year’s routines in Resonance of Youth, a nine-piece showcase, complete with student-played musical interludes and a performance by For Good Measure, the SHS acapella troupe. The dance team performs annually as a culmination of their year’s work, however for the first time in nine years, the team had the opportunity, in collaboration with the SHS Theatrical Technology program and Dr. David Graybill, to perform in the auditorium. 

“There’s really no comparison. Doing a dance under the lights, with beautiful sound, in a beautiful theater, as opposed to doing it in the gymnasium,” Dance Coach Maggie Bryant shared. Performing in the auditorium brought an atmosphere of professionalism to the team’s work, and allowed them to display it for hundreds of spectators to see. 

The production featured a variety of styles, ranging from Ballroom, danced by students in the SHS ballroom elective course, to Bollywood, to lyrical, jazz, and even Korean pop inspired works; SHS teachers joined in for a performance as well. The team used viral songs, such as “Golden” from hit movie Kpop Demon Hunters, and “Secret Story of the Swan” by Iz*One to garner attention from a variety of viewers. Their performance was enthralling. 

“We have been preparing for many months, and working very diligently. Everyone had a lot of fun, and the concert was a great way to show the culmination of our hard work” dancer Alina Peng ’27 said. 

The dance team begins training as early as October, focusing on foundational technique and repetition, and initiates daily training in the winter sports season, which goes from early November to March. “At the start, we emphasize foundations—getting good extensions, stretching through the end of the toes, and perfecting weight shifts,” Bryant explained. 

This year’s team featured four seniors, Victoria Roberts ’26, Catherine Wang ’26, Sheryl Liu ’26, and Chenyu Li ’26, three of whom were participating as team members for their fourth consecutive season. Wang, Roberts, and Li served as captains of the team this year, and all participated directly in the choreography of several of the program’s works. Bryant got emotional discussing their progress.

“I really see the seniors coming into their own this season. They are really shining, and it is so nice to see—they just own it,” she said. 

Bryant also expressed hope for new members with very promising potential. “We have two new freshmen this year that were outstanding; they just improved so quickly. I’m really looking forward to having them as part of the company for years to come” she noted. 

Although the team is very sad to see their seniors go, they are already getting excited for the season to come. “The whole team felt very happy and proud, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!” dancer Walker Lewis ’27 said.