High Tech Dance Majors Participate in Regional High School Dance Festival in Norfolk, VA

(Norfolk, VA—March 20, 2017) The High Tech junior and senior dance majors returned from a five-day trip to the Regional High School Dance Festival, where they participated in three days of intense workshops and auditions for both college and summer study scholarships, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Senior Kayla Alvarez and Junior Melina Soriano, both Bayonne residents, performed “Esplanade,” one of pioneering modern dance choreographer Paul Taylor’s signature pieces from 1975, with the Paul Taylor Teen Ensemble.  Also, Alvarez, senior Idaliz Cristian of North Bergen, and juniors Marlowe McGee and Elyssa Cueto, also from North Bergen, performed  “Kairos,” choreographed by High Tech alumnus Raechelle Manalo.
Many High Tech dancers received summer intensive and post-secondary scholarships as a result of their auditions: 

Cueto for Hope College, Ohio University, University of the Arts, Bates Dance Festival, James Madison University, Long Island University, and Relativity School of Commercial Dance

McGee for to Rowan University, Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University, West Virginia University, New World School of the Arts, Miami, Ohio University, University of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School, Long Island University, and Brenau University

Olivia Ruiz of Guttenberg for Long Island University, Ohio State, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and University of the Arts

Soriano for University of the Arts

“The dancers had a great time meeting and dancing with other high school students from all over the country,” says veteran High Tech dance instructor Trista DeFilippis.  “This was an experience they will soon not forget, and I’m very proud of these dancers and of the work we present at High Tech.”



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