(AF): What is your name and what class period are you in?

(HS): My name is Hailey Sanchez and I'm in 5th period.

(AF): What 2 or 3 dances stood out to you the most and why?

(HS): So, definitely “Heaven is Here” from 5th period. That dance stood out to me alot, it was very powerful to me. It was just all together and everyone was so clean with it and all together, it just gave a message. Another one was probably “New York New Dorp” by the 2nd period, they are so talented and amazing. I love watching them all dance, they can just do so many amazing things and tricks. It was just all together such any amazing piece.

(AF): Explain how the lighting was used effectively to create atmosphere and mood?

(HS): So for the lighting for our dances especially for “Call Me Mother” it really gave like that sassy, like the lights were so perfect for it. Like how colorful it was, it gave the emotion that was supposed to be shown for it. For any dances it really gave that dreamy effect and helped portray the message to it, it was just so good.

(AF): How did the dancer’s facial expressions and body language contribute to the narrative?

(HS): It really helped with especially if you’re in the audience you don’t want to watch people just sitting looking like it’s their job or just trying to get a grade not enjoying what they’re doing. With the facials especially jazz you got to be out there with it, your face really has to show part of what you have to. Then maybe for a contemporary one you really need to show like the sadness or emotion in what you feel in that dance. It really helps to add and like really prove to the audience, that you love what you’re doing and what you’re doing is amazing.

(AF): What did you learn or see that you could apply to improve your own choreography and/or dancing?

(HS): Part of what I saw, I really mostly learned from people in my class because with them you see how much they show how hard they work. So it really helps me try to work even harder to be as good as them or even better than them. It really shows that even if I’ve been doing this for a few years and I think I know what I’m doing. There’s always room to learn and improve on everything.

(AF): Discuss the skill of performers. Take into consideration age, years of training, and intensity of training. We wouldn’t expect a student performance to be of the same caliber as a professional company.

(HS): You can really tell the difference in how long someone’s been dancing. Especially for the advanced class, you can just tell because they feel like they belong on stage cause they’ve been doing it for so long. You can see it in their faces, moves, technique ,and the joy they get from it. Especially Sydnie, everything she does is so amazing. She’s able to take every critique very well and what to do, and fixes it right away. Instead of making it to where she keeps doing it over and over. With beginners it’s hard for them to change it right away, especially when you’re trying to learn. You’re always comparing yourself to the better people and it feels harder trying to get to their level, when they’ve been doing it for so many years.

Hailey Sanchez Final Thoughts: I really liked it. This was probably one of my favorite shows that we’ve done for the past three years that I've been dancing for the school. It all just came together so well, and I loved all of the dances we were in. Yes, it was a little stressful, not much but only because we had four quick changes back to back. That was really hard, plus getting off stage and sweating and then trying to catch your breath and run back on. It was honestly really fun and I enjoyed the entire experience and it was something that I will miss when I graduate next year.

Write a 5-7 summary on how you think Hailey Sanchez did

1 answer

Hailey Sanchez demonstrated a deep appreciation and understanding of dance during her reflections. She expressed her admiration for specific performances, particularly highlighting the powerful impact of “Heaven is Here” and the talent displayed in “New York New Dorp.” Hailey noted the effective use of lighting in enhancing the mood, particularly in the vibrant presentation of “Call Me Mother.” Her insights into the importance of facial expressions and body language illustrated her awareness of how these elements contribute to the narrative of a dance, emphasizing the need for performers to convey genuine emotion to engage the audience.

Additionally, Hailey recognized the significance of learning from peers, acknowledging the hard work of her classmates as motivation for her growth. She differentiated the skill levels of dancers based on experience and training, specifically noting how advanced dancers bring a sense of belonging and confidence to the stage. Despite the challenges posed by quick costume changes, Hailey reflected positively on the overall experience, calling it one of her favorite shows in her three years with the school. Her thoughtful observations and personal reflections suggest that she is not only a dedicated dancer but also a keen observer of the art form.