As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, more and more school events are being held to bring the student body together and continue the sense of community flowing throughout the school. The bi-annual dance concert – hosted once in the fall and once in the spring semester – is a consistently memorable visual performance presented by the school’s dance program. Every level of dance, from beginner to advanced performers, were featured on stage this spring during the concert, entitled “Golden Moments”.
“Golden Moments” was organized largely by the teacher and director of the dance department, Ms. Estee Fratzke. Known by her students simply as Ms. Fratzke, she has brought together different professional guest choreographers and also students to create pieces to be performed. Including all different styles of dance, like jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and more, Mrs. Fratzke has shared her desire to give autonomy to the contributors to the dance show. She hopes to “inspire the choreographers, to inspire the student body, and to inspire [the dancers]”.
On Saturday, April 26, the energy was through the roof inside the Artist’s Theater. Starting off colorfully, the first number, “La La Land,” featuring the entire cast, set the stage for an exciting night full of talent and enthusiasm. Cheering loudly, the audience, full of supportive students, watched as many wonderful group performances and solo dances happened on stage.
Throughout the night, the energy from the dancers reached the crowd with each turn and step, and the choreography showcased each of the dancers’ talents and strengths. Further adding to the visuals, students Sasha Walshe and Moises Ramirez worked on lighting, maneuvering the spotlight, and fading from color to color. Bringing the crowd to their feet, the Beach Boys put on an exciting performance composed of a number of songs and wowed the audience with their tricks and enthusiasm. Solo dances performed by the LBHS Dance Company were nothing short of mesmerizing, with powerful performances by Meghan Manion, Delaney McCarthy, Christina Pai, Eliana Meritt, and Maris Morgan.
All of the fun dances and powerful movements enthralled the audience as they watched everyone on stage perform. From shocked gasps to enthusiastic claps, every positive reaction one could get from the audience was received. “It was very clear how hard the dancers worked, and the show was very put together and exciting,” said Sofi Fazio.
Dance is at the heart and soul for many people, and it was brought to life during the performance. A clear example of this was Isla Aguilar, a sophomore in the dance program, and her pure love for dance shone through in her energy and enthusiasm on stage. Even before opening night, Aguilar expressed that she loves preparing for dance concerts. “It’s really nice to be with the whole dance team and interact with the different classes that we don’t normally get to be with. It’s also really amazing to see everything come together with the choreography, hair, makeup, and costumes, and see how it unveils and comes to life,” she stated.
Along with the preparation, learning the choreography was a highlight in the overall experience for her, and she mentioned how dance reaches all parts of her life. “I think it’s a really good experience. The fact that we get the opportunity to learn dances with different types of people and choreographers, the way that we learn how to problem solve and communicate with different types of people is a skill that we can carry and use past dance,” Aguilar said.
Continuously, she emphasized how much dance has impacted her since she began dancing when she was five years old, falling in love with the beauty and artistry of it.
After the final day of performing on Saturday, Aguilar mentioned, “I think ‘La La Land’ is one of my favorite [dance routines] because the entire cast is in it and embodies and showcases the entire dance program. ‘Are You Ready’ is another one of my favorites because it’s high energy, sassy, and very diva because it’s an energy that you can’t be like every day, and the choreographer is amazing.”
As for her feelings about performing, she loves how she gains energy from the audience and how she can showcase her passion for dance. Ending the interview, Aguilar states, “I would say my favorite part is the fact that everyone gets to see where all my hard work went. We put so much time, energy, work, and money into the show, it’s really nice to show people what we’ve been working for.” This wonderful dancer is a clear representation of the LBHS dance program and what true love and passion for something really is.
As the crowd roared and every performer came on stage for their final bows, the senior students were presented with flower bouquets and heartfelt speeches made by their peers. Seniors Maris Morgan, Christina Pai, Alexis Moran, and Lea Garcia gave dance their all until their final performance as students here at Laguna Beach High School and were met with a booming crowd and supportive peers.
From mere ideas into a blossoming performance, from learning choreography to a crowd-entrancing performance, the spring dance concert was a beautiful demonstration of hard work, dedication, and talent. All styles of movement were put together to curate a show that, at the root, was made possible through the complete passion for dance. Through every leap, spin, and step, the performers told stories of connection and growth. From the opening number that united the full cast to the captivating solos choreographed by the students themselves, each piece was beautifully created and executed. The wide range of dance styles, the dynamic lighting, the spirited music, and the clear chemistry among the dancers created an immersive experience that captivated everyone in the audience.
