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: continuing 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: Grace Beaty
Grace’s Dance Bio
Grace has been dancing at the studio since she was three years old! She is a member of our Junior Faculty and has been an assistant in classes for several years. Grace is a member of our competitive Company, and will compete in groups as well as three solos this year. Grace is a trusted and loyal friend to her teammates and classmates at the studio, and she helps to make her classes and rehearsals fun and productive.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Grace since I started teaching at The Pointe 4 years ago. Since then, I’ve been able to watch her perform at competitions, work hard in rehearsals, and talk through all the things life throws at us. Grace is strong-willed, passionate, kind, and a joy to know and work with. I’m so excited to watch her continue change the world through the next chapter in her life!”
– Miss Katie Thul
In Her Own Words…
1. How long have you been dancing?
I have been taking ballet and tap since I was three, adding jazz a few years later. In 5th grade, I started Company. Then towards the end of elementary school/the start of middle school, I started lyrical, then moved into contemporary in high school. Finally, I started hip hop in my sophomore year of high school.
2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?
This is a tough question. I think my favorite small group dance I’ve ever performed is either “Heart Cry” or “We Don’t Eat”, both choreographed by Aaron. My favorite large group would have to be “Make it Rain”, a modern dance by Josie. Finally, my favorite solo I have ever performed is either “Fashionista” by Laura or “Rise Up” by Aaron.
3. Favorite dance memory?
My favorite dance memory has to go to Katie Martens, an icon. Somehow, she managed to knock down a whole dressing room at a dance competition! Thankfully, it is on tape! (shout-out to Katelynn for recording it!)
4. Favorite genre of dance?
My favorite genre of dance is definitely hip hop, even though it is the style I started most recently.
5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…
… it has brought me my closest friends, and it provides me with a safe space to express myself.
6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?
For my senior year of dance, I am looking forward to my last year of competitions (fingers crossed they happen) and getting to spend the year growing closer with my fellow seniors and all my other friends.
7. Plans after High School?
As of right now, my plans for after high school are still up in the air. I have it narrowed down to a couple options, but I want to be 100% with something before I commit to it. (editor’s note: Grace is in the process of applying/enlisting into the army!
8. Advice for younger dancers?
My advice for younger dancers is to not hold back. This studio is a safe place, you are surrounded by people who care about your happiness. This building will bring you your best friends. Don’t take it for granted, before you know it you’ll be in my position. Senior year is sooner than you think. It may seem far away now, but it happens in the blink of an eye.