The Dance Company graduates two Seniors this year: Symphony Shi ’26 and Katie Qian ’26.

Shi joined the dance company as a Senior, after a lifetime of music. Her favorite style is hip hop and jazz.

Qian began dancing professionally at age six and toured with Pacific Northwest Ballet for six years before joining the Dance Company as a Prep. Qian said, “Growing up, I’ve always been infatuated with beauty. I like the way bodies can twist and the different shapes they can create. It’s so magical. I love dance because I love beauty.” Her specialty is lyrical dance.

These Seniors’ dance journey will not end when they walk out of the Scoville Gates. Shi plans on dancing in college. Qian, who is majoring in dance, is confident that it will continue to play a huge part in her life. She’s anticipating joining a team and also branching out into cheerleading. Qian said, “Learning different types of dance has carried me through a lot of things. By developing courage to try out and step out of my comfort zone I was able to take that courage into academics and sports. Dance is always going to be a place of comfort.” Shi said, “Dance is always something I look forward to.”

Within the span of 54 years, much has changed within the Dance Department. Qian said, “Even within the last four years, the
dance department has experienced significant shifts.” In her Prep year, Allesandra Rinaldo, former dance director, taught ballet. At that time, dance could be taken as an art in the Humanities program, while now, it is only offered as a co-curricular. During Qian’s Prep year, the company had regular dance classes, and faculty choreographed many of the pieces featured in performances.

In her Lower Mid year, however, the dance scene started shifting. Ms. Rinaldo left the school. In Qian’s Junior year, she studied with Ms. Ellen Fox. Qian said, “She mainly focused on the feeling of moving your body.” This year, Claudia McGuigan, instructor in mathematics, supervised the Dance Company cocurricular.

To any new Preps or current members of the Dance Company, Qian leaves one piece of advice. She said, “Honestly, just enjoy it. It’s really precious, because the community I found at dance was one that I couldn’t find anywhere else.