This weekend, Yorba Linda High School Dance Company’s Love Festival was held at the Valencia High School auditorium. It was a night to remember for students, parents, and staff. With 28 amazing group numbers from 9 schools in the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District, the event brought together an impressive display of talent and the love of dance. The performance showcased a wide range of styles from hip hop to ballet, which offered something for everyone in the audience to enjoy. Safiya Sloan (11) says “It was such a good representation of all types of dance and dancers.”
Produced by Yorba Linda High School’s Dance Company annually, the Love Festival is a celebration of the passion that dancers put into their work. This event highlights the beauty of teamwork and collaboration, with dancers from across the district uniting to create a special event filled with energy and love. One of the most exciting aspects of the Love Festival is the diversity and dance styles. The audience was able to see performances of classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. Each dance was uniquely choreographed by students and choreographers to showcase each team’s styles and strengths. The choreographers spent hours of hard work and dedication each day to perfect their dance. Captain of Yorba Linda Dance Company, Ella Bruce (12) says “The girls worked hard every day and it was awesome to see it all pay off on stage.” Each group’s performance was an example of how different styles and types of dancers can come together to create a beautiful number. Dancers from all levels, from beginning to advanced, shared the stage and danced together.
One performance that stood out to me was titled “Woman” by Sunny Hills High School. This piece was a mix of jazz and hip hop that had energetic and passionate choreography. The sharp movements and precision of the dancers along with bright facial expressions truly made the dance lively. The choreography itself was made to highlight each one of the dancers specifically by incorporating solos. This represented their strengths as a team and as individuals within the dance. The technical aspects of the dance, including pirouettes, a la secondes, and leaps were phenomenal. They caught the attention of the audience quickly and matched the vibe of the music.
This event brought together students, coaches, parents, and all people who share a love for dance. The audience cheered and clapped as the dancers took the stage and after the numbers were over. This was a way to showcase the skills the dancers have developed through their team and highlight each dancer’s strengths. It was a night filled with energy, emotion, and amazing performances.
