Great Local Shows - Concert & Dance Reviews
| Title | Let's Dance - Holiday Spectacular |
| Organization | Woodcreek High School |
| Date(s) of show | December 14, 2012 |
| Reviewer | Dick Frantzreb |
| Review | I wish I could visit more performing arts events in
our area, especially dance programs, including high school productions.
Last night, I attended Woodcreek High School’s “Let’s Dance – Holiday
Spectacular,” and it was indeed pretty spectacular, involving over 100
dance students (including 14 boys) in 30 dance numbers – most
choreographed by students. It was a high-energy event with a lot of
creativity and grace, and with some outstanding individual performances. The highlight for me, though, was something completely unexpected. Four of the numbers were choreographed by Jacob Montoya who, I learned afterwards, is beginning to gain a professional reputation as a choreographer 10 years after graduating from Woodcreek High. Two of the dances he choreographed (“In This Shirt” and “Ave Maria”) had amazing power, complexity and creativity. It would have been worth attending just to see those two pieces, but there was much more to this show that made it enjoyable holiday fare. There is one more thing worth noting. The success of this show rests on the professionalism of Lydia Ajay, the faculty member behind the dance program at Woodcreek High School. I bet that you, as I did, would find it fascinating to read her thoughts about the value of dance instruction in high school, and what it takes to make a program successful. She has put those thoughts into an article in the Oct-Nov-Dec 2012 issue of Perspectives, published by PlacerArts. Copies are available at art galleries and other locations throughout Placer County. |
