(April 10, 2019–Jersey City, NJ) As the High Tech dance majors and their instructor, Trista DeFilippis, prepared for the spring show, Novum, they invited Explore students to sneak a peak during their final dress rehearsal.
The students were thrilled to see a number of the pieces from Novum, that were all student choreographed; one of the guest pieces was choreographed by alumni Sara Botero who is finishing her senior year at SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory. Though the middle school students have always been aware of how talented the dance majors are, they were still blown away by each of the performances.
At the end of the rehearsal, the dancers joined the middle school students to discuss the performances and answer questions. Ayele Hyde, 8th grade, will enter High Tech next year as a dance major. She was eager to compliment the dancers and ask what she can expect next year. And, when Ms. Krone announced to the dancers that Ayele would be joining the dance department next year they exclaimed “welcome to the family!”
“Having the opportunity to go the Novum dress rehearsal was an amazing experience. In my eyes, it was very inspiring to see such amazing dancers on stage. They filled the room with their stage presence and it was clear that they were all passionate about dance. I can’t wait to see what the High Tech Dance Program has in store for me next year!” Hyde shared.
Senior dance major, Julia Lindskog, warmly welcomed the middle school students and was happy to engage with everyone. “The Explore kids were such an amazing audience. The feedback gave us was so positive and uplifting. It was a phenomenal way to start my last show week at High Tech!”
“It was our pleasure to host Explore Middle School students last week. Having an audience for our dress rehearsal really heightened the excitement and intensity for the dancers. They were a very supportive audience and we would love to have them back anytime,” Supervisor Trista DeFilippis shared.
