It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start the countdown towards our graduating senior’s “lasts” – their graduations and final recital will be here before we know it. On the blog today: continuing this year’s Senior Features with a little bit more about the dancers you’ll see performing in the Senior Dance and a Senior Solo at recital. We love celebrating our graduating seniors!
Senior Year at The Pointe
For many dancers, dancing all the way through their senior year is a big goal and a major accomplishment – many of our graduating seniors started dancing with us when they were in preschool! We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives for so long and to get to watch them grow up into confident, thoughtful, and hard-working young adults.
Senior year is a special one – many of our seniors take classes and serve as Junior Faculty at The Pointe – assisting in classes with younger students and even helping with some competition practices over studio breaks. Seniors are all featured on canvases that we’ll print and put up later this fall in the hallway that will be graduation gifts for them showcasing their well-earned skill and artistry in dance.
You’ll see our seniors dance with Miss Vanessa in a group senior dance choreographed by the dancers at the recital, and each senior will have the opportunity to perform a solo of their choice. Giving these dancers an opportunity to showcase their performance skills and experiment with choreography is one of our favorite studio traditions.
Senior Feature: Annie Axeen
Annie’s Dance Bio
Annie has been dancing at the studio for 15 years! Throughout her dance career, Annie has taken classes and performed in every style of dance. She has been a member of Company, our competitive program, for 5 years. You will see her featured in our 2023 recital opener – our Company production, “To the Salon” this year! Annie is also an incredible teaching assistant, helping our young dancers get a great start in dance. Annie has grown up at the studio and we are so proud of her. Annie is a graduate of Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.
“I have so loved watching Annie grow up at the studio. Through every situation, Annie remains kind and sees the best in others. Annie is a natural leader – she is someone that her peers and other dancers want to follow. She leads by example, always coming to class and rehearsal ready to give her best effort. Annie never backs down from a challenge, cheers on her classmates and teammates, and is a joy to teach. On the stage, in the studio, and in the community, Annie is a performer and a person we all are so proud of.”
– Miss Vanessa
In Her Own Words…
1. How long have you been dancing?
I have been dancing at The Pointe for 15 years! This is my 5th year on the competition team!
2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?
A competition jazz dance called “Bailar” choreographed by Laura!
3. Favorite dance memory?
My favorite dance memories are definitely all of the super long competition days, surrounded by the most awesome people ever and doing what I love to do.
4. Favorite genre of dance?
My favorite genre of dance is either contemporary or tap. I love how I can tell stories in contemporary and I think tap is super fun.
5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…
I love dancing because it has been a safe space for me for so long. I also love getting to express myself through my dancing.
6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?
I am so excited for competitions this year.
7. Plans after High School?
I will be attending Kirkwood for business!
8. Advice for younger dancers?
Don’t hold back!! Dance and smile as big as you can, always!!