Brighton High School Dance Company Preps for Second Annual Performance

Now in its second year, the Dance Company is gearing up for its second annual performance, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the (BCPA).

The performance of “A Celebration of the Performing Arts” will feature songs from movies such as Footloose, Step Up 3, Grease and Legally Blonde. The company's 13 dancers will perform a number of dance styles from hip-hop to classical tap.

The show will feature professionally choreographed pieces and two student-choreographed pieces. Kathy King, artistic director of and founder of Michigan Dance Project, is also the choreographer for the company’s opening number. She has been teaching dance for more than 10 years.

"You have to approach every group of dancers differently," King said about how she choreographs. "I take it on a group-by-group basis. I have the group of dancers in front of me, and I have to look at their ability level. This group — they're all really great dancers, and I wanted to do something really fun for them because it's high school, and they only have one show. I just based my decisions on there."

King said last year's show had a Detroit Rock City and Motown theme. The dance company members get to vote on the theme for the show.

"The kids are really involved in the decisions that are made, so that's really cool for them," King said.

King has been a Brighton High School Dance Company choreographer since the group began last year.

"I went to Brighton High School, and I wish there was dance company when I was there," King said. "I did pom, but I'm not a pom dancer. I just think it's a really great extra opportunity for the kids to be involved in the arts, rather than just sports."

Brighton High School sophomore Lauren Wylie, 15, helped put the dance company together.

"I dance a lot, and I wanted a way to be part of the school because I didn't want to be on pom," she said. "So I wanted a dance company, and I thought it was a perfect way to be a part of the school and still do what I love."

Wylie said she wanted a company, as opposed to a club, because the annual performance gives the members something to work toward.

Sophomore Ryanne Belkowski, 15, also wanted a way to dance at the high school without being a part of the pom team.

"I didn't like the pom team because it seemed a lot less dancelike," she said. "Lauren told me to come try out, and I've been stuck here ever since. After a while, it became like a family. Everybody looks out for each other, and not in a cheesy way or anything, but everybody takes care of each other in the group."

The Brighton High School chorale, band and musical theater will perform some of the musical selections that will accompany the dance performances.

Admission costs $8, with a portion of the proceeds going to the BCPA. Tickets are available during lunches at the high school or online through the BCPA.