Visiting Guest Artists

Jennifer Girtell performing in front of the advanced ballet class

Despite the crazy blizzard, Judy Bejarano, Strong Family dance artist, and her assistant Jennifer Girtell came up to Mount Ida for a week of dancing for guest artist week. Judy Bejarano is a nationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer whose work has been described as “…existing in the poignant space where comedy and tragedy intersect.” She, along with her assistant, choreographed a new piece for the Dance Company and has been working with them intensively throughout the week. The visiting artists also held classes for all levels of dance and performed a piece for the students. Their visit on campus has certainly brought much grace and movement to the snowy campus this past week.

Dance Performance

On Wednesday, January 26, Emma Willard dancers performed for the entire school in Kiggins. It was quite a sight to see, all the different level dancers performing on stage, lights dimmed, and spotlight on them. The step team transitioned into different levels of jazz and ballet performances. To view highlights of the show, check out our videos page.

LUAU

The Saturday night LUAU was a crazy night. Emma girls and students from other boarding schools all had an amazing time dancing, surfing, and playing volleyball. Even though it was freezing outside, the party inside certainly warmed everybody up.

Sugar plums, toy soldiers, and the Mouse King

Emma Willard School was the proud sponsor of the Nutcracker Tea 2010, hosted by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center‘s Action Council, at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday. The annual event attracted more than 800 children and guests for two afternoon sessions, which included performances by the Northeast Ballet Company. See more pics on the Albany Times-Union website here.

Zumba!

Zumba is one of the interesting after-school PE sessions. Emma girls learn  a wide range of dance, from salsa to hip hop. Each class is full of fun, and Emma girls definitely get loads of exercise from it.

Submitted by: Natalia ’11

Time to Dance!

After a long ride to the Avon Old Farm School, the Emma girls got to the dance to have fun and socialize this weekend. With booming music and colorful flashing lights, the crowd comprised of people from many different schools met and danced together.

Submitted by: Sophia ’14

Check out the other weekend activities available throughout the semester.

Black History Month at EWS

This week’s Morning Reports inspirational speech came in the form of a performance to recognize Black History Month. The HIPnotics, Twelve Tones, JSG, and BHA performed “Progression of the Times,” an original piece by resident faculty Stacey Serrette. Check it out on our Videos Page.

Rave!

On Friday evening, February 5, Emma girls started off the first weekend of the spring semester with a highly anticipated event—the Rave! Hosted by the Proctors, the Rave is a techno dance party attended only by Emma students. Girls dressed in white shirts and neon leggings could be found dancing like crazy in Kiggins with their friends. A fun night was had by all!

A group of friends show off their Rave outfits

Submitted by Hannah ’11

Fall Dance Assembly

Intermediate Ballet dances to a piece by Jean-Baptiste Lully.

Wednesday’s dance assembly at Emma Willard featured performances by the ballet, contemporary, and jazz classes, as well as the Emma Willard Dance Company. Click here to view videos of the performances.
–Lydia ’12

Care to Tango?

Jorge Torres teaching students about Tango. Photo by Mark VanWormer

Jorge Torres, a world-renowned tango artist, came on campus for a day full of Tango last Saturday. The dancing began in the afternoon with three workshops for achieving balance in Tango, Vals, and Milonga. At night, a social event sponsored by the Emma Willard Dance Company put the dancing in full motion with Dance Company performances and social tango for everyone (even people who had never danced tango before!). There are tango practicums offered here at Emma Willard every week on campus or off campus at RPI. Tango truly is a dance to be enjoyed.

Submitted by: Natalia ’11