It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start the countdown towards our graduating senior’s “lasts” – their final competition season, graduation, and final recital will be here before we know it. On the blog today: the first of this year’s Senior Features with a little bit more about the dancers you’ll see performing in the Senior Dance and a Senior Solo at recital. With so much uncertainty about what the rest of this school year will look like, we want to do what we can to help our graduating seniors know how loved and celebrated they are.
Senior Year at The Pointe
For many dancers, dancing all the way through their senior year is a big goal and a major accomplishment – many of our graduating seniors started dancing with us when they were in preschool! We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives for so long and to get to watch them grow up into confident, thoughtful, and hard-working young adults.
Senior year is a special one – many of our seniors take classes and serve as Junior Faculty at The Pointe – assisting in classes with younger students and even helping with some competition practices over studio breaks. Seniors are all featured on canvases that we’ll print and put up later this fall in the hallway that will be graduation gifts for them showcasing their well-earned skill and artistry in dance.
You’ll see our seniors dance with Miss Vanessa in a group senior dance choreographed by the dancers at the recital, and each senior will have the opportunity to perform a solo of their choice. Giving these dancers an opportunity to showcase their performance skills and experiment with choreography is one of our favorite studio traditions.
Senior Feature: Katelynn Dutton
Katelynn’s Dance Bio
Katelynn has been dancing at the studio since she was in kindergarten. She is a member of our Junior Faculty and has been an assistant in classes for 4 years. Katelynn is a member of our competitive Company, and will compete in several groups as well as a solo this year. Katelynn brings a welcoming, friendly smile and her best effort to every class and it has been a joy to watch her grow up dancing at the studio. Katelynn’s two younger sisters also dance at the studio – so she serves as a sort of “big sister” to a lot of dancers at the studio who are in the classes she assists as well as classes that her sisters are in.
“I have had the joy of working with Katelynn in a variety of different classes and competitive groups and solos throughout her career, and it’s been a privelege to watch her grow in confidence and artistry as a dancer. She always brings a smile to rehearsal, is willing to try new things, and makes an effort to be sure everyone is included. Everyone knows that they have a friend in Katelynn. I have always appreciated her positivity and how she’s not afraid to be a little goofy or silly to make someone else smile.”
– Miss Vanessa
In Her Own Words…
1. How long have you been dancing?
I started dancing when I was 5 years old. It was a combo class and our recital dance was tap to Walking on Sunshine.
2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?
One of my favorite routines was from a long time ago; it was Tap 3, “Danger Zone”, choreographed by Miss Kara. Even though the outfit wasn’t my favorite, it was a fun dance.
3. Favorite dance memory?
At the Holiday Showcase a few years ago when our group changed the choreography without the teacher knowing:) (editor’s note: it was a Company Christmas routine and the kids added a “dab” in the middle without ANY of the coaches knowing in advance!)
4. Favorite genre of dance?
My favorite style of dance is Contemporary. I started taking the class my Freshman year of school and loved it ever since.
5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…
It brings out the goofy side of me. I feel I can be myself. All the teachers I have or had that helped make me who I am today.
6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?
This year I am looking forward to performing at competitions, and hoping we get to have a dance recital. (editor’s note: us too!!!)
7. Plans after High School?
I will be attending Kirkwood for the first 2 years. Looking at pursuing something in business.
8. Advice for younger dancers?
No matter how hard the dance may seem, if you keep practicing, you will get it. Always smile on stage! 🙂