Students file into the auditorium. The lights dim and the music begins, the stage filling up with dancers, lighting up the audience with their vibrant energy. Music from an array of musical genres can be heard, each enlivening the students in unique ways; yet many students are oblivious to the work that goes on behind the scenes. 

Jabberfest, Scarsdale High School’s school-wide talent show, is held annually the week before Spring Break, often featuring a variety of performances, of which dance is one of the most popular. On stage, these performances unfold into a whirlwind of high-energy movement and precision. One performance can fill the auditorium with catchy K-pop, while the next is a Bollywood number that involves intricate hand gestures and rhythmic footwork. This diversity make Jabberfest feel diverse and seamless, which is not a coincidence. “After our annual concert, the captains talk and decide what pieces would be best to perform for our student body,” dance team coach Maggie Bryant explained. “For this year’s Jabberfest, this meant narrowing down nine pieces to just three that stood out, including the ‘Jukebox Jive.’” This piece not only included the dance team members, but also teachers who dressed up to fit the 1950s vibe. 

These teacher-student routines allow staff to step outside of their usual roles of authority to support and engage with students in a way that shows that they are more than mere faculty; it encourages mutual respect, and breaks down barriers between students and teachers. “It brings us together with different teachers and students, so you can get to know them a little bit better,” SHS Spanish teacher Patricia Almanzar said. The collaboration creates an atmosphere free of judgment and full of encouragement that shows students that trying new things and getting out of their comfort zones is part of the fun that comes with performance.

Teachers not only participate in dances, but are also involved in the behind-the-scenes work. Aside from putting on a show on stage, the involved teachers consistently showed up with energy to practices. Almanzar, a key figure in the teacher-student dances, described the experience from her perspective. “Teachers practice separately…we practice early mornings and something during lunch before joining the dance team for a combined performance,” she shared. 

These performances foster shared experiences, and show that whether a student or a teacher, contribution to a schoolwide project is possible! The bigger picture of companionship and community that the dances of Jabberfest endorse make the event a highlight of the school year.

This sense of community is not something that happens quickly, but is made through months of preparation. “Music that moves me is usually much easier to choreograph to…We try to find inspirational music around themes of hope and community, of navigating adversity, and of love. Also, themes of just plain fun,” Bryant added. 

Preparation also involved a bustle of logistics, from soundchecks to costume creations—sometimes including members of the dance team sewing their own costumes. From every grand performance to every little stitch, each detail was methodically planned out and deeply thought over, emphasizing the dedication of the team.

The preparation is not just physical, but mental, for some of the dancers. Because Jabberfest is presented in front of the entire student body, the pressure can be high.  “Jabberfest has some more pressure and nerves associated with it because we’re performing in front of many kids in the High School,” Anushri Rana ’28 shared. Yet all this preparation is what makes the final performances great. The feeling of getting applause from all of your peers is unmatched, 

Jabberfest is more than just a showcase of talent and a display of the team’s hard work; it is a celebration of community, creativity, and stepping outside normal comfort zones. “It’s really great to have something besides school and work to balance out your life,” Almanzar reflected.