York Dance Company leaps into the new school year

As with so many events and activities this year, the York Dance Company faced changes to its normal rhythm. Student dancers and teachers alike were not quite sure of what was to come, but they were ready to get back on the floor and bring some energy back to York. 

York Dance Company, known as YDC, has started their sixth year as a school program. YDC is an audition based dance company offered to all grades where students are exposed to a variety of dance styles, creative thinking and a community of other artists. The program offers students select opportunities to choreograph their own dances and perform in front of large audiences. Artistic director and choreographer, Michelle Jensen, worked vigorously these past few months to get the program up and running and ready for the changes this year might bring, including modifications for practices and performances. 

“This year we won’t be able to have traditional concert performances,” Jensen said. “However, I hope to develop dance for the camera projects or virtual recordings throughout the year. So far, students have been able to choreograph and submit work virtually in the dance classes offered and I will encourage that for YDC as well. As of now, auditions and rehearsals will be held virtually.”

So, with all the alterations in the program’s usual methods, students have to wonder whether or not there will be restrictions on the amount of people involved. However, Jensen has kept an open mind and open arms when it comes to determining auditions and the number of students selected, while continuing to keep everyone safe. 

“I hope to include as many students who are at the appropriate level,” Jensen said. “The size of groups typically depends on how many choreographers are selected and how many dancers the choreographers want to work with.”

Masks, of course, are a necessity for anything “in-person”. For dancers, those masks will most likely become an extra accessory to their in class wardrobes. 

“For anything that is done in-person, students will be required to wear masks.” Jensen said. “If we have a virtual concert where students are dancing independently in their homes or outdoors while filming – no masks and costumes will be up to the choreographer!” 

Opportunities for student choreography will still be available as well. As Mrs. Jensen said, “That is the heart of YDC.” Meanwhile, student dancers who participate in YDC have mixed personal feelings about getting back on the dance floor. 

“I am somewhat excited (20% frustrated, 80% excited) for YDC this year,” Junior Megan Doan said. “Of course, I want to dance but I don’t have tons of room in my house if YDC was going to be totally virtual. If it was normal times, I would have been planning on being a student choreographer for the second semester but since we don’t really know what YDC will look like, I haven’t been doing much with it.” 

That excitement is common among YDC dancers, along with the desire to be a part of the program’s community once more. 

“I am really excited to be back at YDC this year and start to feel the sense of community it brings again,” Senior Madison Brown said. 

When asked about what changes YDC might face, the girls’ responses largely coincided with those of Jensen, adding possible choreography changes and ideas to prevent widespread contact.  

“Of course, I wouldn’t want this to be the case, but I think a change that would have to be made would be meeting on zoom instead of in person,” Doan said. “But since everyone is going to be back in school, I feel like we could be able to meet in person with masks and proper social distancing. 

“We have already discussed the elimination of concerts,” Brown said. “I also think the choreography we are learning will look very different as we have to stay within a square away from others.”

Yet, through all the ups and downs, dancers like Doan and Brown still found a way to incorporate dance into their everyday lives. From independently dancing during lockdown to participating in virtual dance classes, many have utilized dance as a way to express their emotions during these often disheartening times and motivate themselves to keep going. 

“Dance has for sure been helping me destress lately,” Doan said. “I am in Advanced Dance with school and I take a variety of dance classes outside of school. It is a way for me to get my mind off of things for a little bit and focus on my body and its strength and art that I am able to create with it. My dance classes outside of school are really helping me and I like to do some improv with my favorite music in my bedroom too.” 

Thankfully, members of YDC and the dancing community as a whole are able to respond positively to these changing times by using their creativity and talent. 

“Obviously there are many challenges and heartbreak with the amount of changes to overcome – but it doesn’t mean we cannot make art!” Jensen said. “We simply have to rethink how to create dance. Luckily, as dancers, we are comfortable with going upside down, inside-out, reverse, re-order, shift, delete, etc etc etc. We got this! Time to be innovative!”