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5th Annual Dance Recital Reflections
If you couldn’t attend this year’s 5th Annual Dance Recital, let me recap it for you. With having the honour of coaching the dancers and watching their team bond strengthen, receiving generous support from the “behind-the-curtains crew,” and the kindness from guardians and friends of the dancers – to summarize this year’s recital in one word, I’d say it would be: community.
This year of dance has leapt by quickly, yet it feels like this group of dancers has been together for longer than just this year. I think this speaks volumes about our dancers and how dance connects people. What I’m most impressed about is that we have dancers from Grades 6-12 on the team. At first, I was hesitant because this is such a wide gap. It’s important for the team to feel connected and be able to work maturely as a collective, together in group pieces. Thankfully, what I have witnessed over the year exemplifies this.
I have several favourite memories I’d like to share with you:
- A place where students feel they belong: Fia Strum ’31 walked into the studio one afternoon and said, “My day is better when I’m in the dance studio.”
- Support and encouragement from others: Maci MacInnis ’31’s entrance on the dance team was impressive. Without me knowing, she learned our entire routine in two weeks, which made for an impactful arrival to her first practice.
- Examples of team community: Lacey Wheatley ’25 and Molly Dickinson ’26 showing kindness and inclusion to our younger team members. Specific moments include helping Harper MacInnis ’30 get ready for performances (“Lacey, can you do my hair please?” “Of course, girly”), or when Molly asked Harper if she wanted a piggyback ride for one of our daily post-practice team pics.
- A memorable moment shared between different generations: I was extremely honoured to help Elisa Lastra Rubio ’25 sew her first pair of ballet pointe shoes. I remember like it was yesterday when I got my first pointe shoes. This is a first experience for me as a coach that I will never forget.
And the best part is, there are many more great moments like this.
On recital day, I gratefully experienced and witnessed a wider gesture of community.
- Support from others – students and staff: Skye Hussey ’26, Ezra Choo ’26, Adya Pejcelová ’27, Michael Denysenko ’25, Chloe Moxam ’25, LB Fisher ’26, Tessa Kearns ’26, Daniel Kimbley, Karlee Sinclair, Kevin Simonar, Stephanie Fillman, Karen Jones, Mike Gates, and KES maintenance. As you can see, many contributed to helping make this recital a success; it is a group effort – everyone contributed something important.
- Honour from within: Starting a new tradition where our graduating dancers – this year, Lacey Wheatley and Elisa Lastra Rubio – receive a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of appreciation and thank you as they leave their impression on dance at KES and graduate.
- Public display: A prom-posal! Dami Adeniji ’25 asked Lacey Wheatley to go to prom with him. A secret plan was made, a special song was played, a crafted poster was shown, flowers were given, and it was such a happy way to finish the recital. Dami not only wanted to support his friend but also knew this would be an important night for Lacey and felt comfortable making it even more memorable in front of the entire audience.
I asked the dancers to reflect on their experience at the recital, and here is what Maci MacInnis and Harper MacInnis wanted to share:
Maci: “Performing at the dance recital made me more confident and not afraid to show my real dancing self! We are not afraid to show our real selves to the dance team. I felt more comfortable with my dancing skills as well. My favourite moments were when we were all getting ready and compliments were thrown at each other with passion. We all talk with comfort. All the cheering going on backstage was amazing and memorable.”
Harper: “Performing in the dance recital made me feel very free and happy. I loved preparing for it and doing so many dance numbers. I love all the people on the dance team that I got to know and perform with! This was my first KES dance recital, so it was very memorable altogether, but I did really love getting ready all together in the dance studio!”
Such fun and special moments produced our 5th Annual Dance Recital. I am already excited to see what next year brings.
To end, I want to give a personal shout-out to my loving community – my parents – for supporting me during my many years of dance practices and performances. This recital is dedicated to you.
To end, I want to give a personal shout-out to my loving community – my parents – for supporting me during my many years of dance practices and performances. This recital is dedicated to you.
Stephanie Cummings
Junior School Faculty, Head Dance Coach
Junior School Faculty, Head Dance Coach
King’s-Edgehill School is located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
