Northville High School Varsity Dance Company Annual Performance

Northville High School varsity dancers celebrate 12th season with Passion for Dance

Northville High School Varsity Dance Company is presenting its twelfth annual performance, “Passion for Dance” on Friday, February 8th, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The annual performance will showcase the diversity and creativity of the dance company through solo and group performances. Student choreography, a special guest performance, and coming back for the third year; is a piece by its alumni. The dance genres of jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, and contemporary will be represented.

Carly Siracusa Carlin, the Dance Company’s Artistic director says there is a special meaning behind the theme of this season’s annual performance. “NHSVDC was built on passion and a great devotion for dance. The 13 dancers we have this season have that and more. We are running solely on passion that we have for this team, for dance, and for each other. Our hearts are light, and we are beaming with pride to show you what we have been working on this season.” She adds, “The dancers have worked so incredibly hard, reached the goals we set at the beginning of the season, all the while showing unconditional love and support for each other; and never losing sight of the reason why we are here – our passion for dance. I feel so blessed, so proud, and so incredibly lucky to have these 13 dancers on my team and in my life.“

This is Siracusa Carlin’s 9th year choreographing for NHS Varsity Dance Company and her 8th as artistic director, head choreographer, and coach. Born, raised, and trained in New York City, her passion for dance started at a young age and she went on to become an accomplished dancer and award winning choreographer.

The Dance Company’s twelfth season will always be special to Siracusa Carlin. “Season 12 brought us back to basics and why it is that we do what we do. The 13 dancers on the Dance Company are a reminder that there is love in the purest form. A language that is spoken from one heart to another that needs no words. They have healed my heart in ways that remind me every day that love truly conquers all.” She adds, “I am so unbelievably proud. The dancers have persevered through every challenge and never stopped keeping their focus on what really matters. Their strength, determination, courage, and kind hearts are unmatched." Siracusa Carlin says that the Dance Company’s team quote for their twelfth season is “I can’t, you can’t, but WE CAN.”

Senior and team Captain, Grace Cracraft agrees. “Dance Company has allowed me to grow as a dancer and a leader. It has let me dance and perform in a comforting environment surrounded by girls who encourage and support each other.” She adds, “This season we’ve been working hard to learn new skills and techniques that challenges all of us.”

The Dance Company has 13 dancers on the roster for their twelfth season. Each have different and diverse backgrounds in dance, which is one of the many reasons why the Dance Company is so unique. Bringing all of their talents together, the Dance Company has performed in the NHS Fall Pep Rally, NHS Homecoming Parade, Halloween Spooktacular at Park Place, NHS basketball games, and the Northville Lighted Parade. The annual performance will complete the Dance Company performance lineup for its twelfth season.

Each season the Dance Company gives back to the community and chooses an organization. This season they chose to give back to a local dancer, Abby Bennett, who is currently battling childhood thyroid cancer. Her family has endured such hardship, with both her brother and father battling the disease as well. The Dance Company organized a fundraiser “Dance for Abby" which was a dance clinic where local dancers ages 8 and up could come and learn a dance taught by the Dance Company. The dancers who attended the clinic had the option to perform the dance they learned in the twelfth annual performance. All proceeds from this event went directly back to Abby and the Bennett family. “This was a special event that was very dear to our hearts. Some of my dancers have danced with Abby since they were little and I personally know the Bennett family. They have been avid supporters of the Dance Company and it was our turn to return the favor. Abby is a very special girl and the Bennett’s are a wonderful family. It was an honor to do this for them.” The clinic was led by team Captain and Senior, Grace Cracraft who helped to choreograph the dance alongside the Dance Company’s artistic director, Siracusa Carlin. A team jacket was presented to Abby by Siracusa Carlin at the end of the fundraiser, making Abby Bennett the 14th member of the Dance Company for its twelfth season.

Student choreography, one of the most unique facets of the Dance Company will be featured in its twelfth annual performance. Team Captain and Senior, Grace Cracraft is marking her third year as a student choreographer with three dances represented in the performance lineup; two of which she choreographed on her own, and the third choreographed with Siracusa Carlin. Junior, Emily Makowski and Sophomore, Daniela Scagnetti will make their student choreographer debuts at the annual performance and complete the student choreographer team for NHSVDC’s twelfth season. Student choreographers work closely with NHSVDC’s artistic director, Siracusa Carlin to perfect their pieces for the annual performance. Cracraft loves the aspect of student choreography that the Dance Company offers. “Dance Company gives us the unique opportunity to allow students to choreograph dances and debut them in the annual show, giving us confidence and leadership skills.”

The annual performance will feature solos performed by each of the Dance Company’s seniors. In addition to team Captain, Grace Cracraft, the Class of 2019 is represented by Nada Barach, Ila Iyengar, and Liliah Seluk. Cracraft and Seluk will also be celebrating their fourth year on the Dance Company.

Tickets for “Passion for Dance” will be available for purchase prior to the start of the performance at the NHS Auditorium Box Office beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 each.