The dance company traveled to Los Angeles for a lively time of bonding, learning and fun.
“It gave a chance for new members to bond with old members through riding on the bus together, sharing hotel rooms, and, of course, taking part in dance classes together,” senior Bridget Gray, who is vice president of the dance company, said.
The LA trip lasted four days, from Aug. 9 to 12, and three faculty members and 21 student dancers traveled for the occasion.
The flight was bright and early; dancers were expected to meet at the airport at 5:15 a.m. for their flight to the “City of Angels.”
After they arrived, they attended a mock audition taught by actor and dancer Nick Baga and photographer and dancer Mary Mason at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where they experienced what a professional dancers’ audition is like.
Next, they went to Playground LA, where they learned a jazz combination. Later that day, they went to Millenium Dance Complex, where choreographer and dancer Cher Flare taught contemporary and Dexter Da Rocha, another dancer, taught the students hip-hop.
“My favorite part was jazz funk at the Millenium Dance Complex,” sophomore dancer Georgia Holton said. “It was my first jazz funk class and I was called out to show the jazz combo that I learned and it was really fun.”
Kinkaid’s dance directors, Mrs. Danyale Williams, Mrs. Anjaly Thakkar and Mrs. Mary Cable planned the trip along with Educational Performance Tours, a New York-based company that provides custom tours for music, dance and theatre groups.
“My favorite part was seeing the camaraderie between the dancers throughout the trip but especially during our downtime at Universal Studios,” Mrs. Cable said.
Mrs. Williams was also really happy with how the trip turned out.
“I definitely think the trip was a success,” Mrs. Williams said. “We would like to continue our preseason trips as it gives the dancers an opportunity to experience the life of professional dancers and get excited to dance when we begin the new school year.”
