Modern Dance Company gains popularity

Don’t know how to shake your booty? Not important. The LAHS Modern Dance Company, formed last year by senior Isabelle (Izzie) Fisher, allows students to explore dance beyond what they are usually exposed to.

“Most of the dance the school is exposed to is hip-hop and jazz; there’s not much modern or lyrical or more unusual styles that are rising in the dancing world,” Izzie said. “If you watch ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ there’s a lot more unusual stuff. There’s dance beyond booty-shaking.”

Last year the group had about 12 members, but this year the number has expanded to over 20. The new members are mainly freshmen and sophomores.

“I was so excited and surprised that so many people signed up,” Izzie said.

She attributes the growing number to the club’s performance at the school’s annual diversity assembly last year, which she said attracted a lot of interest and positive feedback.

“Performing at the diversity assembly was a lot of fun,” junior Noga Feinberg said. “Izzie did a great job choreographing that routine.”

The dance company’s routines are all student-choreographed. As a result, the group has experienced a huge variety of lyrical, modern and contemporary dances.

Noga and sophomore Kelly Steinbaum are among the dancers that are choreographing dances to be performed at upcoming events.

“Kelly is choreographing a piece that’s a little more jazz but still kind of modern,” Izzie said. “And Noga is choreographing this really alternative, wacky piece.”

This year, the club hopes to perform again at the diversity assembly and the dance show. The club is also in talks with Assisstant Principal Cristy Dawson about a performance in the quad during brunch.

“The best part of the dance company is being able to dance with your friends and being able to dance to your own choreography and your friends’ choreography,” Noga said.

Kelly, who met Izzie in an outside dance company, is part of the school dance team as well as part of the Modern Dance Company.

“There’s no conflict between Dance Team and the Modern Dance Company,” Kelly said. “They’re both a lot of fun. The only difference is the style of dance.”

For those concerned about a time commitment, Kelly says that the dance club does not take up as much time as students might think.

“I would encourage all of my friends to join the LAHS Modern Dance Company,” she said.

The club meets every Monday during lunch in either room 304 or the dance room, and splits up into two groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school to practice different choreography.