And the Spotlight is on......JACLYN ZOIS
Each season advanced students are encouraged to compose their own choreography under the tutelage of a faculty member to be presented in the student/faculty Winter Concert held at the Eleanor Welch Casey Theater at Regis College. Fifteen year old JLDC student, Jaclyn Zois shares her experience,
Becoming a student of the Elementary level at Joanne Langione Dance Center comes with new challenges, and opportunities to grow and expand your dance vocabulary and ability. The most cherished opportunity, being given the option to create a student choreography piece with your fellow dance friends.
Ever since I met Caroline Leong and Hannah Shields, I have always known that one day we would choreograph a dance together. We have always connected to each other, especially through our love and passion for dance. We began the journey together after the Spring Recital of 2009. At first it was just and idea, a thought that maybe we would create a student choreography for the Winter Concert in January of 2010.
Being only in the Elementary level, we were not even sure if we would get to perform our piece in front of an audience, overshadowed by the greater ability of the older members of the school. By the end of the summer, we still had not found “the song”. A week before classes officially started in the fall, we thought we had found it, but once again it would prove to be a fail.
At this point, officially starting choreography seemed so far away. We had looked through so many songs, and yet found nothing. This ongoing process, with no success had almost left us with no hope, almost no strength to look anymore. Finally after a night spent exploring iTunes, we found it. We found our song.
The more we listened to “Dark Blue” by Jack’s Mannequin, the more we had faith in ourselves that this might work. We looked deep into the lyrics, trying to get into the head of the writer, to see what he was trying to express while he wrote the song. After many possible ideas, we came to a conclusion on the meaning and began to cut the music and choreograph our dance.
We quickly realized how much work and time goes into creating a piece. Working for hours inside as well as outside the studio, we often found ourselves coming up with new ideas and changes, constantly tweaking our creation. At last it was done, and almost five months later, our dance was choreographed, costumes were finished, and a speech was written. We had made it, after much triumph and tribulation, and accomplished what we had hoped for; to perform our piece in front of an audience of family and friends on January 23rd.
The first time we present our dance in front of a large audience, is an experience that we will always remember. Our first piece, one that started only a fragment of our imaginations is now going to be performed in front of those we love. Not only is this something we all worked on together, pouring our hearts and brains into, but we get to share our achievement and enjoy the moment with everyone.