Dancing With the Stars, Kensico Style

Three professional dancers graced the stage in the gymnasium of the Kensico School on Dec. 7. Hope Boykin and Michael McBride – both of whom dance for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AADT) – and Elise Drew of the Luna Negra Dance Theater, performed and led a presentation for 395 students, and numerous teachers, administrators and PTA members in the school’s gymnasium.

Ms. Boykin, who is also a choreographer, said it was more than an honor to be able to share their gifts and talents with the third- through fifth-grade students. “You know, it’s kind of cold outside,” she began, “so we are stretching our bodies to get ready for the performance.”

Enlisting the children and Kensico Principal Matt Curran to warm up with them, Ms. Boykin led a routine of head-turns and hand-claps to background music. “Head right-left-center, clap. Head up, head down,” she ordered, and all followed suit.

With fluidity of motion, the dancers were off demonstrating a routine to a violin concerto. Mr. McBride – who appeared not that much older than some of the students – spoke next about types of movement. It turns out he is still a student, a senior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance, and the only dancer in the history of the AADT to have a professional dance job while still in college.

“The movement we do onstage is dynamic,” he said while Ms. Drew demonstrated different movements. He asked the children which of her movements was sharp or percussive, and which was smooth or legato, and their answers were right every time.

Ms. Drew tied the lesson together conceptually by talking about what a choreographer is and how the stage is his or her canvas. The artistic elements involved are the dancer, the music and the space. “Sometimes when mistakes happen, they turn into pleasant surprises,” she said.

Then it was the students’ turn, and the dancers were hard-pressed to select 15 or so children who eventually became the “Kensico Dance Company.”

“Step right, cross over left, step right. Turn one, two three, clap. Reach high, reach low,” were Ms. Boykin’s directions, which the students followed. The choreography developed as first one girl, then a boy, and then another girl contributed three new dance steps. “Do the Olivia!” shouted Ms. Boykin. “Now do the ‘Thriller’ Brett step!”

Proving that “dancing isn’t only a girls’ thing,” Mr. McBride showed off his long jumps toward the basketball hoops in the gymnasium. The dancers urged the boys to “jump like you think Michael Jordan might jump,” and they leapt across the stage following Mr. McBride’s lead.

“The other responsibility that male dancers have is to partner us,” said Ms. Boykin. It was no surprise then that she asked a young male Kensico dancer to twirl Ms. Drew into him. The boy good-naturedly acquiesced, and the crowd went wild.

Ms. Boykin closed the program by describing her work as assistant to the late Talley Beatty – one of the greatest African American choreographers of the 20th century. Weaving bodies and limbs expressively to a Negro spiritual, she and the other dancers treated the audience to her Beatty-esque choreography as their finale.

Joan Cavallo, co-president of the Virginia Road PTA, and chairperson of the Arts and Education Committee, drove the dancers home after the performance. On the way into the City, Ms. Boykin said how impressed she was with the children’s willingness to participate. This is a reflection of how highly regarded the arts are at the Valhalla schools, she said.

The dance program was funded by the Kensico PTA, which develops a budget for such projects through a variety of fundraising events. “I personally was very thrilled,” said Ms. Cavallo of the program she had facilitated. “The arts really broaden children’s horizons, and help them to become well-rounded individuals. It was magical; a true gift to the children and the staff.”