Yorba Linda High School’s annual dance concert occurred on May 10, 2024, and May 11, 2024. This year’s theme, Suit and Tie, highlights the strength that a suit and tie wields. The dance show took place at El Dorado’s Performing Arts Center, and friends, family members, and peers attended to support the phenomenal dancers. Performances from Beginning Dance, Intermediate Dance, Advanced Dance, Dance Company, and a special feature of the basketball team were impressive. It would not have been possible without the direction of YLHS dance teacher, Meshell Salas, and assistant coach, Zaphera Fidelis.
Suit and Tie was inspired by the concept of standing on business, and as Cameron Tsai (10) states, Dance Company “…wanted to show that dance students always show up to events, dress up, and stand on business.” Dance Company’s captain, Christianna Hawkins (12), adds, “To me, suit and tie means to focus on things you want to accomplish. It plays on the business side of life by showing the value and potential of yourself and how goals are based on how you work and go after them.”
The performances mainly consisted of hip-hop and upbeat dances with a few contemporary dances in the mix. Dance Company began the show with a dance choreographed by Christianna Hawkins. Thereafter, students from beginning, intermediate, and advanced dance performed their respective ensemble routines. The music was mostly upbeat and included tracks such as “Circus” by Britney Spears, “Thumbs” by Sabrina Carpenter, and “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo. The show also included two captivating vocal performances by Chloe Gan (9) and Eunice Kim (10). Chloe Gan sang “Rise Up” by Andra Day and Eunice Kim sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.
Dance Company contributed to the energy and spirit of the show with dance routines choreographed by Meshell Salas, Zaphera Fidelis, Christianna Hawkins, Kanhi Bhagat, Soraya Patel, Callie Hansen, Chloe Huang, Ella Bruce, Safiya Sloan, Hailey Kalcevich, Rayva Sehmi, and Jordana Lockhart. Suit and Tie also featured senior solos to spotlight the Dance Company members who will be graduating this year. Gracee Schumeth’s dance was titled “Actress,” Minchae Kim’s was titled “Not My Business No More,” and Christianna Hawkins’ was titled “You’ll Never Forget Me.”
This annual dance concert applauds the hard work that every dance student has put in throughout the year and provides a chance for the classes to work together. Cameron Tsai (10) agrees, “I enjoyed working on this dance concert because we bonded as a team and grew closer.” At the end of the show, Dance Company highlighted each graduating senior in a heartfelt slideshow to recognize them for their commitment to dance and Yorba Linda High School’s Dance Company. The seniors will be beginning a new chapter in their lives, and Christianna Hawkins (12) expresses, “It felt weird to perform as a senior because I had watched many seniors before me perform, but [I] never imagined performing as one myself. It was fulfilling because it felt like I had passed the baton of the seniors I love from last year.”
Suit and Tie was the perfect dance concert for the newest Dance Company graduates to showcase their talents, and each performer demonstrated how they stood on business.
