Joining the ranks of students that came before them, dancers at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy are taking center stage.
A tradition spanning decades, they will be highlighted in their upcoming school holiday show, performing selections of The Nutcracker, along with traditional baile folklorico and other holiday music.
“I love watching all the dances and seeing the beautiful costumes,” said Alyssa Z. “It brings me joy watching other people enjoy the show as much as I do.”
The 8th-grader is dancing in a variety of acts, including the Dance of the Reed Pipes and the Chinese Tea Dance from The Nutcracker and selections of baile folklorico.
She started training in baile folklorico at 6-years-old and was introduced to ballet in sixth grade when she started at Greiner. She’s been performing in the holiday show since sixth grade, and this marks her last year.
“I just love being able to do this all over again,” she said.
Led by dance directors Susan Savarese and Koreyci Santiago, the holiday performance is one of two required showcases for students in the dance cluster.
“It’s rewarding to see the kids go from the beginning of the year to now,” Savarese said. “It’s fun to see the performance quality and how they take ownership of it and make it theirs.”
Preparations started last school year, and came back in full swing once the school year started.
“The company learned Waltz of the Flowers in May. We had a rough draft, so when we came back after summer, we just had to polish it,” Savarese said.
A staple in the Greiner community, the show shifts from year to year, depending on how many students there are, what strengths they have, Savarese said.
“Everyone is required to do ballet, but we’ve added lyrical, modern and baile folklorico,” she said.
Savarese knows what it’s like to be on stage at Greiner.
A former student, she performed in the holiday show when it was a full production of The Nutcracker. She updated the show when she returned as a teacher to include other styles and music.
“Even though I danced in the Nutcracker, I was never a fan of Act 1,” Savarese said. “Parents just want to see kids and the kids like to do the fun pieces, so we selected the ones we like to do.”
She isn’t the only teacher with roots in the holiday showcase. Santiago also performed in the show as a student at Greiner, and was even one of Savarese’s students.
“It’s really a full circle moment,” Santiago said. “I still love learning from her as my mentor. I’ve learned a lot from her, not just as a student, but now as a teacher. We get to continue that mentorship, so it’s really neat.”
It’s a legacy the school rallies behind, with younger students excited to be in the show one day, and alumni returning on show day to volunteer, Savarese added.
This year, there are 130 students in the dance cluster. In addition to the school showcase, they also perform at the NorthPark Center, Galleria Dallas, and Dallas Zoo.
Talia B., an 8th grader in the dance cluster, is performing in the Waltz of the Flowers, where she portrays the queen, and Russian Dance from The Nutcracker.
“I love seeing all the dances come together after all the hard work,” she said. “It’s rewarding to see the outcome.”
Dancing since she was 5-years-old, Talia said it’s the joy of it that keeps bringing her back.
“I’ve always loved dancing,” she said.
Her advice to younger students is to never forget that joy.
“Always have fun, be yourself, and work hard,” she said.
Alyssa said it’s important to savor every moment.
You’re not going to want it to end. This is my last year doing this, and I’m sad it’s going to end,” she said. “It may look fun on stage, but it’s way more fun when you’re part of it.”
