Northville High School Varsity Dance Company Annual Performance

The Northville High School Varsity Dance Company is closing out its thirteenth season with their Annual Performance "THE REVIVAL" on Friday, February 7th, at 7pm, in the Northville High School Auditorium. The annual performance will showcase the diversity, creativity, and artistic expression of the dance company through solo and group performances. Featuring professional and student choreography, the genres of jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, and contemporary will be represented.

The Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Carly Siracusa Carlin says that season 13 is the absolute revival of the dance company. “From day 1 of season 13, there was an unspeakable and untouchable force of life and energy when we were all together. The dedication, the dancing, the sense of family, and most of all the love of dance and each other has been strengthened in ways I could have only dreamed of. We are more unified and are stronger than ever before.” She adds, “These 16 dancers came together and made this season the best one ever. There isn’t a way to compare it to any other. I have never been more proud and blessed to show what we have been working on this season.”

This is Siracusa Carlin’s 10th year choreographing for NHS Varsity Dance Company and her 9th as artistic director, head choreographer, and coach. She is an accomplished dancer and award winning choreographer and was born, rasied, and trained in New York City.

The thirteenth season of the Dance Company is more than just a revival to Siracusa Carlin. “The dancers have absolutely exceeded all expectations from day 1 and their unbreakable bond and amazing spirit has created the best version of NHSVDC. They never fail to show their strength, perseverance, tenacity, courage, love, and positivity. They are a beam of light on the darkest day and have hearts like no other.” Siracusa Carlin says that the Dance Company’s team quote for their thirteenth season “Our time is now.”

Reflecting on their time on the Dance Company, Seniors and Team Captains, Olivia Draper, Emily Makowksi, and Emma Ritchie agree. Draper says “My most memorable part of being on dance company is when all the girls come together for a bonding experience.” Ritchie adds, “I’m so grateful for being a part of dance company for the last four years. I have met such wonderful people and I don’t know what I would do without them.” Makowksi feels the same and adds, “What I think I will cherish the most from my years on NHSVDC is the friendships that were developed between a group of girls who were all devoted to dancing.”

With each dancer having different and diverse backgrounds in dance, the Dance Company has 16 dancers for its thirteenth season. Siracusa Carlin adds, “What makes the Dance Company so unique is that each dancer brings something different to the table and they all learn not just from me, but from each other.” Bringing all of their talents together, the Dance Company has performed in the NHS Fall Pep Rally, NHS Homecoming Parade, NHS basketball games, and the Northville Lighted Parade. The annual performance will complete the Dance Company performance lineup for its thirteenth season.

Student choreography, one of the most unique facets of the Dance Company will be featured in its thirteenth annual performance. Captain and Senior, Emily Makwoski and Junior, Daniela Scagnetti are marking their second year as student choreographers. Makowski says, “Student choreography has been a way for us, as students, to learn from our mentors and to experiment in terms of choreographing, staging, costuming just as we have watched our dance teachers do. It’s a way for us to grow into more than just better dancers. We have been able to apply ourselves to something we hold near and dear to our hearts.” Scagnetti adds, “I love doing student choreography because it gives me a chance to help younger team members develop as dancers. It’s so rewarding to dance with and teach fellow teammates in a fun, upbeat piece where we can laugh and have fun with it.” Captain and Senior, Emma Ritchie, Junior, Elizabeth Schrems, and Sophomore, Madeline Makowski are making their student choreographer debuts at the annual performance and complete the student choreographer team for NHSVDC’s thirteenth season. Ritchie says, “Having the ability to choreograph was so wonderful because you start out with an idea in your head and then once expressing that idea to a group of amazing dancers; you get this wonderful dance you’re so proud of.” Schrems adds, “Being a student choreographer has been an amazing experience. My teammates helped to make my piece come alive. It all started as an idea in my head, and now it tells a story." Makowski says, “My student choreography experience was really amazing because I got to get out of my comfort zone, expand my dance skills, and have fun with my stunning group of dancers.” Student choreographers work closely with NHSVDC’s artistic director, Siracusa Carlin to perfect their pieces for the annual performance.

The annual performance will feature solos performed by each of the Dance Company’s seniors. NHSVDC’s class of 2020 are the Team Captains, Olivia Draper, Emily Makowski, and Emma Ritchie. Draper and Ritchie will also be celebrating their fourth year on the Dance Company.

Tickets for “THE REVIVAL” 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.