By Lily Farnham, Quill Writer
The 4th and 6th of December marked the 2025 Winter Dance Concert, a showcase of pieces ranging from heartfelt lyricals to energetic breakdance. As the River Hill Dance Department’s first performance onstage this year, the concert and its captivating works were crafted with great effort and hard work from our Hawks.
Preparation for the Winter Dance Concert was almost immediate. Dancers came into the school year ready to take on one of the biggest projects of the year. Multiple rounds of comparing song choices, deciding on styles and taking input from classes lead into the first step of the process: choreography. The department’s pieces are choreographed by any number of contributors: the director Ms. Byrd, dance seminar mentors and the students themselves.
Each dance encompassed a unique charm and interpretation of the music. Creating the routines witnessed onstage this December was no easy feat. “‘Ribs’ specifically took a long time,” admitted dancer Zoë Remick, referring to the Junior Company contemporary to Lorde’s “Ribs” she organized.
“I would usually choreograph little parts throughout the week and then finalize it a day or two before teaching to make sure it worked out well and to add details.” Since choreographers in the department created routines on their own time, class time was dedicated to teaching the rest of the group.
Teaching and learning are arguably the most interesting parts of cultivating these dances. Those who are teaching showcase their creativity and leadership qualities while drilling new pieces; those who are learning show impressive adaptability, as they step outside of their comfort zones to quickly pick up new moves. Senior Company member Rebekah Santos praised the Dance 1 class she mentors, noting that her “Dance 1 girls have been doing an amazing job picking up choreography and learning the ropes of the dance program.”
Another exciting aspect is when Hawks learn multiple routines. Routines may be solos, performed by the whole class, or split into half-classes. With a thrilling variety of styles among the department’s works, dancers are able to experiment with personal flair and explore their strengths. Once adequate time is spent on teaching and learning, the department begins cleaning.
“Cleaning” is a term used to describe the process of finalizing a dance, ensuring everyone includes the same details and understands exactly how the choreography is intended to be performed. Dancers will go over everything step-by-step under the direction of the choreographers, practicing their moves to achieve synchrony. Pieces are cleaned during class, where students are able to practice in the dance room and on the stage.
Formations, the spacing of performers during a routine, are also solidified during the rigorous process of cleaning. “Even though cleaning the dances can be rough, the final dance is always so rewarding,” says Advanced Dance member Sophie Reyes. The precision of movement displayed at the concert was a testament to the department’s hard work throughout this finalization.
When the week of the concerts finally rolls around, Tech Week begins. Students stayed after school nearly every day of the week, running dances onstage and performing as if they were at the show. Monday and Tuesday, December 1st and 2nd, were spent on individual pieces, whereas Wednesday, December 3rd, was dress rehearsal: full costumes and makeup, hair slicked back, videographer and photographer on set. “I love that dress rehearsal is almost like the real show—it gets me hyped up!” Reyes exclaimed. Tech Week was full of adrenaline and excitement as the show days crept closer. When Thursday and Saturday arrived, students were ready to give their all.
While dancers may have made preparation look simple, the hours spent leading up to the concerts were packed with incredible effort and dedication from everyone involved. These Hawks had to manage the reality of balancing the department’s preparation with their academics and extracurriculars. Santos explained that it was indeed stressful, “Especially since it’s my senior year with college applications and all.” Yet, she adds with a smile, “I knew I always had my dance fam to keep me going.” All the performers willingly took on the difficult job knowing their commitment would not go unseen. “This show was so worth the work!”