On Friday, May 5 at 7 PM, the JP Stevens Dance Department came together to put on their annual spring performance for the end of the dance season. This performance showcased a variety of dances, each including a series of expressive choreography and a range of dancing styles. By encompassing these styles throughout the performance, students were successfully able to demonstrate the techniques that they had acquired throughout their years of dancing to proud families and friends sitting in the JP auditorium that night.

Dance 2/3/4 kicked off the night with a combination of music from André Lapante, Soetkin Milbouw, and Ian Urbina. This dance was of a modern style and choreographed by Mrs. Stine, the Dance ensemble educator, as well as the dancers themselves. This work of art was titled “Waves”, as it was inspired by the motion of water. The beautiful piece captured the peaceful aspect that comes with bodies of water. Next was the first senior solo of the night, choreographed and performed by Briana Petrucelli. This composition featured two songs—”Red Lights” and “Deep End”—by Stray Kids, a popular K-pop group. The performance allowed the audience to witness Briana’s wonderful talent. The JP Dance Team brought striking energy to the stage as they put on their Winter Pep Rally composition. Sophomore Upasana Banerjee and juniors Payaswini Gurung and Bhoomi Patni worked to put together this combination, in collaboration with seniors Dia Khanna, Tanusri Ramakrishnan, and Saachi Ramtirthkar. They captured the essence of true hip-hop style dancing with their performance, and their vivacity whilst performing was infectious. 

“As a member of the JPS Dance Team, it was exhilarating to perform with all these talented dancers. Ms. Stine, our wonderful teacher and dance team supervisor, choreographed amazing pieces that our dancers were able to bring to life,” remarked sophomore Venya Raghavan, a member of the dance team. “The student-choreographed pieces performed by the seniors and the dance team involved so much hard work, struggle, and dedication, but we pulled through in the end and I’m so proud of all of us.” 

After the Dance Team’s performance came Dance 1’s “Ease on Down the Road”, which was a song by Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. This song was very upbeat, and the uplifting lyrics were reflected in the dance as well as the performers’ energy. Another performance by senior Samantha Dzioba called “Waking Up”, featured a combination of songs by Teodora Sava and Sarah Barilles. Watching Samantha’s dance evoked strong emotion among many people sitting in the audience and was wonderful to experience. A select few dancers of Dance 2/3/4 then came back up to the stage to perform their second piece of the night, Little Swans. This piece was performed in a classic ballet style by seniors Samantha Dzioba, Priyanka Suresh, Tanusri Ramakrishnan, and sophomore Laya Jimenez. Following this were two pieces choreographed by fellow seniors Lochani Sathish Kumar and Tanusri Ramakrishnan. Lochani put together a collection of songs that resonated with her heritage and was performed by herself, sophomore Ruchi Shah, and senior Priyanka Suresh. Tanusri’s piece “Like a Kid” was performed by herself, Upasana Banjaree, Laya Jimenez, and Jay Sangani. These two seniors astounded the audience with their choreography skills and sensationally incorporated aspects of their own life into dance. 

After a brief intermission, Dance 2/3/4 performed “In Your Own Sweet Time”, which caught the eye of many in the audience. Senior Dia Khanna then wonderfully executed a choreographed performance of Ye Udne Lagi Afwah, followed by Dance 1’s jazz dance to the crowd’s favorite song “Valerie”. The final senior piece was choreographed by senior duo Niri Sheth and Priyanka Suresh, who titled their dance “Selections from Taal and Navratri Nights”. The Dance Team performed the final dance that they had originally choreographed for the Spring Pep Rally, which engaged the audience in a fun manner. The second to last dance, on the part of Dance 1, was called “Candy Canes”, a pleasing take on the ballet piece by the New York City Ballet Orchestra. To wrap up the concert was Dance 2/3/4’s performance of the La La Land soundtrack. It was the perfect end to a successful and inspiring night. 

Since this was many of the seniors’ last performance with the Dance department, they took the time to reflect upon their experiences.

 “Dance is an art but especially a sport,” said Dance Team Captains Tanusri Ramakrishnan, Dia Khanna, and Saachi Ramtirthkar. “We are beyond thankful to have been captains of a family as talented and wholesome as this one.” 

Overall, the JP Stevens Dance Team hosted a skilled and sensational performance for all to enjoy.