Former Hockaday Students Teach Next Generation of Dance

Ellie Nerenberg has been a part of “Hockadance” for all four years of high school, but this year is different.

“Choreographing my own pieces has been an inspiring and rewarding experience that has brought out my creativity and problem-solving skills,” the senior dancer said.

The program, which begins in middle school, introduces dance as part of a fine arts rotation. The upper school program consists of 50-60 students who participate in four auditioned dance ensembles. 

Christie Sullivan, Performing Arts Department chair and director of dance, and dance faculty member Alex Farrior, know the program well. Both are Hockaday alumnae. 

“The Hockaday dance program, and the student choreography component, was what solidified our path in the arts,” Sullivan said. “Because of our experiences in the program, we both obtained degrees in dance, performed professionally with notable choreographers and companies, and now are both back at Hockaday as faculty.” 

The department chair credits the program that shaped her dance career alongside that of her colleague as part of a long-standing standard of excellence in producing exceptional dance students. 

“We have an intense love for the arts and this program,” she said. “I find it extremely rewarding to pass along this love to our students every day.”

While the fall concert primarily consisted of faculty and guest artist choreography, the spring concert is a student choreographed showcase, Sullivan explained — the transition designed to build confidence while challenging the young performers.

Ellie said she and her fellow choreographers have been working hard to teach their arrangements to classmates for the upcoming concert, while all of the team members have been making, “the mad dash of selecting costumes.” 

Choreographing their own pieces has allowed the dancers to challenge themselves both physically and emotionally, said Ellie, adding that after performing her last work on stage she, “felt a strong sense of accomplishment.”

“Through my own choreography and learning pieces from others, Hockadance has allowed me to experiment with my personal dance style while gaining new knowledge, helping me grow as a dancer and a person,” she said.