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: Avery Kucera
Avery’s Dance Bio
Aster has been dancing at the studio for 16 years! Throughout her dance career, Avery has taken classes and performed in every style of dance. She was a member of Company, our competitive program, for several years – competing in large and small groups in a variety of styles and lyrical and contemporary solos. Avery is also a student assistant – helping lead classes for our youngest dancers. Her bright smile and outgoing personality makes everyone around her know that they have a friend in Avery. In addition to dancing at the studio, Avery has danced and performed in show choir and theatre productions throughout high school. She is a graduate of Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.
“I am so proud of the dancer and person Avery has become. From the beginning, Avery has been an outgoing student who quickly makes friends with everyone in her classes. She is a gifted dancer, a natural performer, and she is always willing to try something new or continue working towards a challenging skill. She isn’t afraid to ask for help and is quick to offer help or encouragement to those around her. Onstage and off, Avery shines bright.”
– Miss Vanessa
In Her Own Words…
1. How long have you been dancing?
This is my sixteenth year dancing at the studio! I have been able to be a part of show choir and theater outside of the studio as well, which has allowed me opportunities to learn dance from all kinds of people in all kinds of settings.
2. What is your favorite dance that you have performed?
My favorite routine that I’ve performed is the Company Grinch dance at Christmas time!
3. Favorite dance memory?
My favorite dance memories are tied between two!! The first was when Ellen Nicholson added the “shoot” to the Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree kickline at the Holiday Showcase. My second favorite memory is from when we had the opportunity to perform The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet; my costume had gotten stuck in my bun net during the bows and one of the professionals on stage behind me unhooked it while the show was still going, it was so kind of her and I remember looking back to see who had helped me and being so in awe.
4. Favorite genre of dance?
My favorite genre of dance has changed a LOT over the years, but for the past few years I’ve gone so crazy for tap and it is most definitely my reigning fav!! 🙂
5. Finish this sentence: I love dancing because…
I love dancing because it sparks connection. Whether it be internal with your own emotions, or connections with the people you are moving with, dancing throughout my life has brought so much connection and so so much genuine good.
6. What are you looking forward to the most in finishing out your senior year in dance?
I am most looking forward to my Taylor Swift tap dance with Miss Laura!!!
7. Plans after High School?
After high school, I will be attending the University of Northern Iowa with a major in elementary education!!
8. Advice for younger dancers?
I would encourage younger dancers to be kind above all things. Whether to their peers and counterparts, or to themselves in the mirror, the studio is a place that can produce so much personal growth. Remaining kind and encouraging will help everyone to feel supported and valued just as YOU deserve to <3