It’s hard to believe that we’re in 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 second of this year’s 5 Senior Features with a little bit more about the dancers you’ll see performing in the Senior Dance and Senior Solos at recital.
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 Dance & Discover or Level 1 and 2 classes and even helping with some competition practices over studio breaks. Seniors are all featured on canvases in the lounge 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 recital (in the 3:00 and 6:00 shows), and each senior will have the opportunity to perform a solo of their choice (in either the 3:00 or 6:00 show). Giving these dancers an opportunity to showcase their performance skills and experiment with choreography is one of our favorite studio traditions.
Senior Feature: Natalie Kongable
Natalie’s Dance Bio
Natalie Kongable has been dancing at the studio since she was in preschool – and she’s grown with our studio in almost every program we offer. Natalie currently takes Advanced level classes every week: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, and also takes Tap 6 (tap is her favorite!). She has also been a member of our competitive program for 5 years – she’s competed in ballet, lyrical, jazz, and tap groups and solos. Natalie is a member of our Junior Faculty (the highest level of our Student Teacher Education Program) and assists our instructors in Dance & Discover 1 on Mondays and Ballet 1 on Tuesdays. Natalie has jumped in to volunteer at the Front Desk this year as well – helping us with birthday postcards, organization in our boutique, and some other administrative projects. Natalie is a member of our National Honors Society for Dance Arts chapter, and was one of the five students at The Pointe to be the first Iowa students inducted into NHSDA!
“I have had the pleasure of teaching Natalie since she was in Level 1’s. What I admire most about Natalie is that she is always challenging herself. Whether it’s in dance or elsewhere, she sets incredibly high goals for herself, and she works hard to achieve them. I love working with Natalie, and her Periodic Table solo will be a dance I remember forever. I can’t wait to see how she uses her talent, drive, and intelligence to shape her future.”– Miss Kara
In Her Own Words…
1. How long have you been dancing?
I have been dancing for 15 years and 5 years in company. I have also enjoyed participating in the STEP program, National Honor Society for the Dance Arts, volunteering at the front desk, and ballroom dance.
2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?
My favorite dance is a tie between my solo to “The Periodic Table of Elements”, choreographed by Kara and “Karios”, which was Advanced Tap’s recital dance last year, choreographed by Aaron.
3. Favorite dance memory?
My favorite memory was getting my first pair of well-fitted pointe shoes.
4. Favorite genre of dance?
Tap. Forever and always.
5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…
I love dancing be cause it gives me opportunities to work with my favorite staff members.
6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?
I am looking forward to my final tap dances and finishing my year with another amazing tap solo choreographed by Kara.
7. Plans after High School?
I will be attending Iowa State to major in Meteorology and minor in Mathematics.
8. Advice for younger dancers?
Do dance because you love it, but do not be afraid to participate in other activities as well.
While volunteering at the front desk this year, Natalie helped us with the graphics for this year’s senior features. On her feature, she added a shout out to Dan (Miss Vanessa’s husband): “Thanks to Dan Terrell for teaching me how to conduct at a dance competition so I could be drum major for my senior year of band!” 🙂