Coronado is participating in the D11 Winter Showcase featuring dance programs from all over the district. The showcase will take place on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Wasson Auditorium. Admission is free; however, donations are welcome due to the limited budget. Any money donated goes back to D11 dance programs. After this show, the second recital will be on Wednesday, April 29th at Wasson Auditorium.
The Coronado Dance program started in 2021, and is led by sixteen-year math teacher and now four year dance teacher, Mrs Barnett. The same year the program started, Doherty teacher Ms. Lepore already had a dance program and reached out about doing a show together and building a dance community in D11. Since then, two recitals have been held every year and Coronado’s dance program has grown.
At the start of the second quarter, the dance classes began rehearsing for the showcase, with level one and three dancers practicing group and school dances, and seniors choreographing their solos. Senior Aloura Montgomery Warren said she “wanted to bring attention to the fact that people are not seen when they are reaching out for help and to be seen,” influencing her decision to choose the song “Waving Through a Window” from the musical Dear Evan Hansen for her solo.
Coronado’s dance program is open to everyone, whether experienced or a beginner. The class counts as a PE credit and teaches life values. Freshman Arianna Porter noted that “teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity are the core values of dance.” Mrs. Barnett echoes this saying, dance is “beyond just the dance steps. It’s about learning to work with others, sometimes people you may not get along with, and learning how to overcome that for a common goal like a performance.”
Coronado’s dance history is short, but it is quickly growing. The showcase will be a great representation of D11 dance talent.
PHOTO ESSAY: Night of the Show!
