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Yorktown's Evening Of Dance Celebrates 42 Years

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y -- Yorktown High School's dancers will be putting their best foot forward at the school's annual dance show.

Yorktown High School is hosting its annual Evening of Dance.

Yorktown High School is hosting its annual Evening of Dance.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
An Evening of Dance has been a Yorktown institution for 42 years.

An Evening of Dance has been a Yorktown institution for 42 years.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
The Dance Company is performing 24 different dances this year, including a Bollywood dance.

The Dance Company is performing 24 different dances this year, including a Bollywood dance.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

"An Evening Of Dance", which has been a Yorktown institution for 42 years, will be held on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Yorktown High School Auditorium.

The dancers plan for the show all year, choreographing their own routines, and practicing almost daily. The company consists of 75 dancers from all four grades and dances include jazz, modern, tap, Bollywood and hip hop.

“We are thrilled to present this year’s production. We have watched the dancers’ visions become a reality and feel privileged to watch each member’s growth and greatness,” said Jessica Mackenzie, one of the faculty advisors.

Christine Orlando, the other faculty advisor, has been involved with dance her whole life and had high praise for the dancers.

"The show gets better every year," Orlando said. "This is the most exciting time. I love seeing their faces and their passion. It takes me back to when I was dancing."

The Dance Company, created decades ago, was guided for many years by Veronica Dwyer. It became a staple at Yorktown High School and remains today an integral part of the district’s diverse arts activities. In addition to the annual January production, the company performs for local senior citizens and other events such as pep rallies, holiday dancing grams, and the awards dinner.

Some of the students in the show dance outside of school, while others only dance at school.

"It's amazing watching them all come together," Orlando said.

Jane Levin and Caroline Cushner are two seniors dancing in their last show at Yorktown. They said they expect it to be an emotional weekend for them.

"I've been doing this all four years of high school," Levin said. "I used to come watch the show when I was little."

Cushner said she loves getting the chance to perform on stage and said she'll value the bonds that she's made.

"We've really built a family here," Cushner said. 

The program features 24 different dances. The program opens with “Enter the Circus” and ends with “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” featuring the full company. A dance choreographed by Olivia Resko is based on a poem entitled “To This Day” by Shane Koyczan about what it feels like to be a youngster who is bullied.

“An Evening of Dance” will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan.20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Yorktown High School Auditorium, 2727 Crompond Road. Tickets are $15 each and can be ordered online at www.yorktown.org or purchased at the door.

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