Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake … these classic ballets are loved even by people who don’t know the difference between a grand jetė and a relevė. I can remember watching a Russian ballet company performance of Sleeping Beauty as a little girl and being completely mesmerized. When I learned that I was going to have the opportunity to dance in an excerpt from Swan Lake during the Swarthmore Fall Dance Concert, I was beyond excited!
The dance concerts themselves are a beloved Swarthmore tradition. At the end of each semester, the dance program has a concert showcasing the work of several of its repertory classes, as well as some pieces of student choreography. It seems like everyone is curious to see what their friends in dance classes have been up to, because the concerts are well attended by students and community members. This semester’s concert featured ballet, tap, taiko drumming, and modern dance pieces. I’ve attended three dance concerts since coming to Swat and I’m consistently amazed by the quality and variety of performances. The concert always includes music and choreography from a wide variety of styles and cultural traditions. I truly believe that everyone who attends can enjoy and be inspired by at least one – if not all – of the pieces, and leave the concert with a new appreciation for dance as an artform.
The powerful taiko drumming performance is always a fan favorite here at Swat. I’ve met several students who went to their first dance concert and were so inspired by the Taiko performance that they signed up for that class the following semester! I think it is awesome that the Swarthmore dance department is very welcoming to new students. Beginner-level classes require no prior dancing experience, only enthusiasm to learn that style.
One of my favorite performances each semester (besides ballet, of course) is the tap piece. Last year they did a really cool Pirates of the Caribbean scene and this year their choreography looked so fun and energetic that I couldn’t help smiling and wishing I was up on stage dancing with them. I definitely want to take a tap class for at least one semester of my time at Swat!
I was ecstatic to learn that my Pointe and Partnering ballet class would be performing a twenty minute excerpt from Swan Lake! Every step of the process to prepare for the concert was exciting and rewarding… dancing to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score for the first time, doing costume fittings for our beautiful white tutus, practicing until each “flap” of our arms was in unison, and then finally feeling the exhilaration, exhaustion, and magic of show week. It was an experience I will cherish forever, and I can’t wait for the next show!
Swarthmore provides me with so many unique opportunities, but the one I am continually thankful for is the opportunity to take dance classes, not for the sake of fulfilling a major or minor, but just to have fun, get exercise, and learn something new everyday as a part of this wonderfully welcoming dance community.
