By Elle Everett
Photo courtesy of Nicole Buckels
CA dance is a way to show expression and emotion without words. The dancers spend their days staying after school to practice and perfect their dances that get shown to students, parents, and teachers. For the dancers, it’s not just about choreography but about building something meaningful over time with hard work, teamwork, and determination.
These girls work on many different types of dance with different choreography, styles, and music. Each dance allows the dancers to explore moments in new and different ways. They get to express their emotion through their performances.
But there’s one style that’s been a favorite throughout the dancers, Contemporary Ballet.
“I think any style that has a fusion of different techniques is awesome,“ level 2 student Nylah Bryant said. “There’s a lot of versatility within dance styles like that, which makes it really fun to do.”
What the dancers like to call “Mr. Morale” was a favorite dance performed during the 2024-2025 dance season. This dance combined two different Kendrick Lamar songs.
“That piece was one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of. Ms. Buckles really respects her craft, and everything is always so thought out and purposeful,” Cami Davis, a level 4 dancer, said. “This piece centered around the ‘pain body,’ and we portrayed people who were just mean and hurting on the inside. In the end, we take off our ‘pain bodies’ (the sweat sets we were wearing) on stage and showcase a brighter costume that represents freeing yourself of trauma and baggage and being the best version of yourself.”
These dancers start working in August and September for dances that won’t get shown until April. This specifically goes for the Spring Dance Concert that was just recently held in the Ursuline Academy Auditorium. Because this is the biggest performance of the year, dancers spend months learning, cleaning, and perfecting each piece.
“Since we only practice once a week [after school],” Davis said, “it takes a couple of runthroughs to get everything looking really good.”
Other dances, like the December performances, only get around 3-4 months of work, but that’s still a lot of focus and dedication. Starting in September and performing before winter break, these dances come together in a fast schedule. These dances show the growth and effort each dancer puts into the program.
Beyond the physical work, dance also plays a major role in the dancer’s lives. Many dancers join because of the love for dance and stay because of what dance has brought to them.
“I choose dance because it’s something I love and enjoy doing,” Bryant said.
Dance has also been described as a way to cope with stress and express emotion.
“It helps me show my emotion,” level 2 student Michelle Cadet said, “and I think it’s a beautiful art.”
The program creates a strong sense of community. The dancers often describe their team as a family, supporting each other both in and out of their rehearsals.
“We’ve all become one big family,” Davis said, “ and that’s what keeps me involved.”
When major events like the Spring Dance Concert were approaching, CA Dance had much deduction and talent to show. Each rehearsal, correction, and run-through played deep and connecting roles shaping the final performance.
“It starts as something small.” level 2 Quincy Shariff, “but it grows into something really beautiful.”
