Home

For 25 years, Dwight’s global concerts have bridged traditions, backgrounds, and customs through music and friendship. This year’s performances, with an exciting new format, dazzled the audience.

Over 140 students from Dwight’s eight campuses — New York, London, Shanghai, Seoul, Dubai, Franklin School in Jersey City, Global Online, and, for the first time, Hanoi — created a beautiful and diverse show, “In Our Wildest Dreams.”

The first half focused on the musical talent of our global cohort of students, with solos, duets, and collaborations within and across schools. Then, the all-campus collaborations in the second-half stunned the audience with their “combined ensembles.” Each school had rehearsed their individual contributions to these numbers since November, and all finally met in New York a week before the concert to rehearse together.

The result, both on-stage and between peers, was nothing short of magic.

Creating Bonds

With Dwight School New York as the host, students spent a full week rehearsing, celebrating, and bonding. This rare opportunity for Dwight students worldwide to meet in person led to many meaningful connections.

For the students from Global Online, the concert presented a chance to meet people from the different Dwight Schools, and to work collaboratively with their own classmates. 

Global Online student Shrivijaya Sivakumar ‘27, who performed a solo, “Reedaha,” elaborated on the unifying power of the concert. Despite coming from different countries and musical backgrounds, students found a sense of oneness in performing and socializing together: “It's so cool how different we all are in terms of cultures, what instruments we play, what we're going to do, what this concept is going to look like, but then when we're just in a social situation, it’s like, we’re all the same.”

Franklin student Ruhie Mehendale ’26 added, “It’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. I really like meeting all the new people, and all the new connections being made with people from all over the world with all these amazing stories.”

Musical Partnership

In the second half of the concert, packed with combined ensembles from each campus, each musical number embodied the fusion of different cultures, surprising the audience with lively and energetic tones. 

Dwight Dubai student Kareen Dastan ’30 elaborated on the power of music, saying, “For me, music is like an art. It's a type of life. I believe music brings people together.”

Materializing a dream, students blended their distinctive musical talents into each cohesive performance. “The Water is Wide,” performed by the Dwight Schools Orchestra, exemplified the program’s collaborative nature. Dennis Lee (Dwight Seoul Music Director) who conducted the orchestra for the piece, noted, “They are interacting with each other live as they're making music… It's an exchange of languages. I think music is a language and they're speaking the same language together.”

Eric Novod, Head of Performing Arts at Dwight School New York, highlighted “Shofukan,” a song by jazzy jam group Snarky Puppy, as a feat of global collaboration. As the first-ever combined Jazz/Rock ensemble gathered at a Dwight global network concert, its creation was remarkable.

“Mr. Gourav Biswas [Shanghai Qibao Dwight Music Director] had already started working on this piece in Shanghai, but did not have the full ensemble traveling to New York for the Global Concert.. After looking at who was attending from across many campuses, the music directors decided to do the piece as a global collaboration. And it worked great. Mr. Biswas and a talented Shanghai student [Cynthia Shi ’26] created a new arrangement specific to our global instrumentation, and then it came together during rehearsal week.”

Dwight School New York student Yona Nemirof ’25, who played the viola, reminds us of what makes these partnerships so extraordinary, “Music brings people together, which is the perfect example of what's happening with the global concert – that all the Dwight campuses are coming together to play beautiful music together.”

Sharing Tradition

This year’s Dwight Global Concert was set apart not only because of the collaboration of students across seas, but the way in which traditions were woven in from across the world, including traditional instruments. Drummer Eric Wu’25, conductor of the opening piece, “On the Broad Northern Plain” performed by the Shanghai Folk Ensemble, infused the performance with authentic Chinese musical traditions in part by having a traditional drum purchased and shipped to New York from Shanghai. 

To ensure the piece’s authenticity, this drum required a meticulous preparation process, involving treating the drumhead with water to muffle higher-pitched tones and properly stretch the drumheads for the desired sound. Eric’s aim was to honor and accurately represent Chinese music. He said, “As a Chinese music fan, I'm really passionate about this, and wanted to share Chinese culture. I have listened to hundreds of different Chinese orchestras and just tried to learn how the orchestra works. And finally we are here.”

Shanghai’s performance wasn’t the only one to feature drums that were specially flown in for the performance. 

Dwight School Hanoi, joining the concert for the first time, introduced traditional Vietnamese drums to the performance. Hanh Chi Ha ’28, one of six students who played the drums in “Hào Khí Việt Nam,” said, “The piece that was chosen represents a lot. In it we talk about our heritage, our myths, legends, our different dynasties and different rulers and the richness of our traditions. It's really amazing being able to represent our culture. And it was a really fun experience too, because it's a new one for us.”

The Dwight Schools could not have envisioned a more meaningful way to celebrate 25 years of concerts that bring together Dwight students from around the world. This epic cross-cultural collaboration would not have been possible without the support, dedication, and hard work of each campus community, especially the host campus, New York, under the leadership of Eric Novod. As Dwight London Music Director Richard Deng noted, “It was amazing to see how Eric was supported by an extraordinary team, with the common goal of making the concert the best it could be.” 

In our wildest dreams, we never imagined all our schools coming together so successfully. But thanks to communal devotion, the rhythms created on stage that night continue to reverberate throughout each school.

For more details on the songs and performers featured, and the music directors who led them, please review the official In Our Wildest Dreams program:

 

Some highlights: Varsity Swim rose to the top of the ACIS League, with the girls capturing the championship title and the boys securing their best finish in Dwight history as runners-up! 

Our Varsity Fencing team clashed fiercely throughout the season, adapting to tough opponents and demonstrating incredible skill and strategy. Their season culminated in a strong showing at the NYSAIS Championship — despite it being their first ever.

Read on to discover the standout moments from each team this Winter Season!

Varsity Swim | Coaches Elizabeth Heiss, Brandon Saavedra, Tessa Winkleman, and David Gleason

The Varsity Swim team made history this year, continuing their dominance in the ACIS League. The girls’ team swept the regular season, winning every ACIS meet, and then capped it off by clinching the ACIS Championship! The boys put up an equally impressive fight, winning two of four ACIS meets and securing second place in the ACIS Championship — the best finish for the boys’ team in Dwight history! The team’s efforts also translated into a record-breaking number of athletes qualifying for the NYSAIS Competition (where top Independent School athletes from across New York compete to see who’s the best in our state) — a reflection of just how much the program has grown in recent years. Swimmers Naila Broening-Chai '26 and Max Paltridge '30 had an exceptional performance as they claimed 2nd place in their respective events. 

A particularly bittersweet moment for the coaching staff was realizing that one-third of the Varsity team will be graduating. These seniors have dedicated themselves to the program since their freshman year, leading by example and helping Dwight’s swim culture thrive. Their passion and commitment have paved the way for younger swimmers, inspiring the next generation of Dwight athletes to chase greatness in the pool.

With a legacy of champions and a future full of promise, there’s no doubt that Dwight Swim is just getting started! Looking ahead to next year, the boys will remain hungry for their first ACIS League Championship, and the girls will be determined to defend their title for the third year in a row. Both teams have their sights set on even stronger performances at NYSAIS.

MS Swim | Coaches Brandon Saavedra, Elizabeth Heiss, Tessa Winkleman, and David Gleason

The Middle School Swim team made strides this season, as they pushed themselves in competitions to always perform at a higher level. Competing in a total of four meets, the team started strong but faced a tough early loss to Dalton. Instead of letting the setback define them, they channeled their energy into improving, placing first in two of their four meets, often outpacing multiple teams at once. Though they didn’t place first in their final meet, the progress they displayed was irrefutable — and a very proud moment for the team. 

With so many dedicated and eager young swimmers, the future of the program looks bright. We can’t wait to see what this growing team accomplishes next season!

Varsity Fencing | Coach Alex Hurtado

Showcasing a high level of resilience, adaptability, and skill are the members of our Varsity Fencing team, who finished the season with an 85-51 record and earned a spot in the NYSAIS Competition! 

Coach Hurtado shared, “One of the biggest challenges the team faced was adapting to more experienced opponents, but throughout the season, our Lions showed their ability to act and think swiftly whether it was modifying their grip, refining their stance, shifting to a more aggressive style, or taking advice from teammates. This adaptability was a key factor in our success.” 

This adaptability even translated to how well the Fencing team did at the very end of the season, as our Lions really got to put all that they learned to the test by competing on the grand stage of the NYSAIS Competition. The épée (points scored with hits from the tip of a heavier thrusting weapon) team won first place, and the sabre (points scored with hits from the tip and sides of a shorter and more flexible weapon) team finished in second place. Individually, Jamie Knox ’25 finished the tournament with the best overall record for épée, Kitt Starkie ’27 secured the fourth best record for épée, and Jonas Broening-Chai '27 had the fourth best record for sabre. This was the first time our Varsity Fencing team ever competed in NYSAIS, and we couldn’t be more proud of their debut performance!

The leadership displayed by several seniors also contributed to what made this season memorable for Coach Hurtado. “Jamie Knox '25 brought invaluable tournament experience, mentoring teammates through tough bouts,” he said. “Vi Wong '25 displayed sheer endurance and mental toughness, winning every bout in a grueling back-to-back-to-back competition as our sole foil representative against Avenues. Dexter MacManus '25 fostered a sense of community by engaging teammates in conversations beyond fencing, such as discussing films. Juan Pablo Gomez '25 set the standard for accountability, communication, and time management, qualities that strengthened our team dynamic.”

Looking ahead, the Varsity Fencing program is excited to welcome new faces, reconnect with returning athletes, and continue competing against top-tier schools. 

Varsity Girls Basketball | Coaches Chiené Jones and Kenny Pendergast

The Girls Varsity Basketball team finished their season by placing 5th in the ACIS standings. Though this was not the outcome they had worked so hard for, the real victory of the season was the shift in their mindset, as the team embraced a hard-nosed, never-back-down approach to the game mid-season.

Coach Jones shared, “One of the most unforgettable moments was Dwight Lion Pride Night, where the energy in DSAC was electric. Faculty, staff, and students packed the stands, creating an atmosphere that fueled our team like never before. The overwhelming support and excitement showed just how much our program is growing and how much heart this team has.” 

Through every challenge — whether balancing demanding academics or facing fierce opponents — our players showed up, competed, and gave their all. Seniors Elle Brown, Grace Capiraso, Danielle Reische, Jordanna Gallucci, and Lina Thompson played a crucial role in building a foundation for the future of the program, bringing energy and leadership that will serve as a model for younger players.

When asked what is on the horizon for next season, Coach Jones said, “Preseason training will be key in further developing skills and strengthening our foundation. The mindshift into this never-back-down attitude will also serve the program well, and I’m excited to see more of that in the future.”

JV Girls Basketball | Coaches Dallas Lee and Tyrrell Bradford

The Dwight JV Girls Basketball team had an exciting season filled with remarkable growth. After a tough loss in their season opener, the team bounced back in spectacular fashion, winning three consecutive games and building confidence with each victory.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Dallas Lee, the team honed their conditioning and fundamentals every day in practice. But more importantly, they showed up with energy, passion, and a commitment to learning and supporting one another. Their hard work paid off, earning them a well-deserved spot in the ISAL Playoffs.

Though their season ended in the ISAL Semifinals, this young squad — made up primarily of eighth and ninth graders — has laid the foundation for what is sure to be an exciting future.

MS Girls Basketball | Coaches Josh Kigel and Sarah Benton

The Dwight Middle School Girls Basketball team finished with an impressive 8-2 record, showcasing just how much progress this group made from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer. At the start of the season, the team was filled with beginners. But within a few months, the team was consistently competing and winning games, stepping onto the court with determination and confidence!

The most memorable test of their resilience was the game against Avenues, a strong team. Every single player stepped up, played well, and contributed to an incredible win with no subs and no breaks — just hustle and teamwork. It was a defining moment that proved just how far this group had come.

Varsity Boys Basketball | Coaches Dave Brown and Jason Posser

The 2024-25 Dwight Lions Varsity Boys Basketball team were ferocious in their approach to the hardwood.

The growth of sophomore Captain Adrian Sadelain and the steady hand of freshman point guard Milan Foye laid the foundation for the team's ACIS winning record. Junior Jake Sender and sophomore Sam Schagrin led the team in scoring with range from three all season. 

We’re sad to say goodbye to our seniors. Zac Boult made meaningful contributions all season. And although Antoine Vandewiele missed most of his final year due to an injury, he will continue his basketball career at Muhlenberg College.

Coach Brown tells us, “The team finished 4th in the ACIS, a marked improvement from the 2023-24 year — and with 4 of 5 starters returning next year, I am confident about the future of the program. It is promising and they can only go up from here.”

JV Boys Basketball | Coaches Mia Marcus and Jaylen Anderson

The JV basketball team had a season filled with growth, resilience, and teamwork, highlighted by several hard-fought games that tested their skills and determination. From the first tip-off to the final buzzer, players focused on improving their fundamentals, strategic decision-making, and on-court communication.

Throughout the season, the team faced tough competition, securing impressive wins through strong defense and fast-paced offensive execution, while also learning valuable lessons from close losses. A standout moment came in a thrilling overtime victory where the team showcased their resilience, making clutch plays down the stretch. Despite challenges, the team’s ability to adjust and work together proved crucial in key matchups.

With each game, they demonstrated growth, leadership, and a competitive spirit that will serve them well in the future. We look forward to watching!

Middle School Boys Basketball Grade 8 | Coach Jonathan Ascher and Jan Gallao

Progress and camaraderie were the big takeaways for the Middle School Boys Grade 8 Winter Season, as they walked away from the season with the core value of teamwork securely in place.

One of the most rewarding moments for the coaches was seeing every single player on the team score at least one point. This accomplishment wasn’t just about numbers — it was a testament to their development — proving that each athlete grew in confidence, skill, and understanding of the game. Watching them celebrate each other’s successes and embrace their roles on the court was truly inspiring.

Coach Ascher shares, “The team walked away better than when they started overall, both as basketball players and as young athletes. We all look forward to seeing how our young Lions develop.”

Middle School Boys Basketball Grade 7 | Coach Peter Harrison and Ra Ung

This season was all about “trusting the process” for our 7th Grade Basketball team — the challenges were real, but so was the progress. Many of our players stepped onto the court for the first time, learning the fundamentals of organized basketball while facing tough competition. Despite the early struggles, the team never stopped working, improving with each game.

The highlight of the season for the coaches was the team’s first home win. After battling through tough losses, that victory was proof that the process works, that hard work pays off, and — most importantly — that the team was having fun while learning the game. Watching them celebrate that moment was a testament to their resilience and dedication.

The coaches also shared that the most rewarding part of the season was seeing the players gain confidence. It is their hope that the confidence that started to grow within our Lions continues to flourish and spread out into other aspects of their life, not just in basketball.

Varsity Indoor Track | Coaches Holly Nohavitza and Shanna Bess

Our Varsity Indoor Track team had an exciting season, participating in five meets. Among the many highlights, one moment stood out above the rest: junior Hugo Newman’s inspiring final two races of the season. He left everything on the track, pushing himself to the absolute limit in a display of pure heart and dedication to the sport.

The coaches are excited to build on the program with hopes of a larger team and more personal records broken. Next season promises even greater competition, camaraderie, and accomplishments. 

Middle School Cross Country | Coach Rachel Soyk

This season was all about pushing limits, breaking mental barriers, and proving  that we’re stronger than we think. From the first practice to the last race, our athletes showed incredible perseverance, hitting milestones they had never reached before. Chloe Norrington ’30 crushed the 1500M in 5:48.60 and the 600M in 1:59.91, proving her endurance and determination. Evelyn Charecky ’30 put up a 6:19.33 in the 1500M, and 

Ainsley Camporine ’30 sprinted to a 55.19 in the 300M and 9.15 in the 55M, showcasing their competitive spirit.

But this season wasn’t just about times — it was about mindset. These athletes pushed through discomfort, fatigue, and self-doubt. Coach Soyk said, “Seeing them break through those mental barriers was one of the most rewarding parts of coaching. And nothing beats the pure joy on their faces when they hit a new personal record…or maybe when they get post-workout snacks!”

A special shoutout to Evelyn, whose discipline and consistency kept the team on track. She showed up, put in the work, and made sure her teammates stayed focused, proving that great leadership starts with accountability. 

Varsity Jiu-Jitsu | Coach Doug Sklar

This season was a promising period of growth for our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team, with students refining techniques built upon strong foundations. Vivien Jan ’28 stood out for her dedication, mastering key guard transitions, submissions, and demonstrating impressive control during partner drills. Momo Yamashita ’27 showed remarkable progress in his takedown entries, defensive strategies, and consistent improvement in his timing and footwork.

The team participated in their first Jiu-Jitsu tournament, laying the foundation for future competitions. Together, the athletes fostered a positive, supportive environment that emphasized skill development and mutual respect.

This Winter Season was filled with hard-fought challenges, but through teamwork, and with passion in their hearts, our Lions rose to the occasion! 

We can’t wait to see what the Spring Season brings.

Go Lions!

One very special project that Aidan started because he felt an urge to help those in need is his very own “Peace Panda,” a nonprofit through which he donates 100% of the earnings to charity. Using his origami skills on thousands of notecards, Aidan carefully folds each small piece into a panda, which is then auctioned off to benefit various charities.

The idea for “Peace Panda” initially came while Aidan watched the news at an airport lounge and felt saddened that many children his own age are missing basic resources. 

“That really struck a nerve and that started to make me tear up,” said Aidan, “I wanted to do something good for them, and to support them.”

He soon found a way. While scrolling through videos online, Aidan came across an origami tutorial that showed him how to craft tiny figurines from folded paper boxes. He worked hard to produce similar figurines, channeling his desire for change into action. 

Aidan now uses any free time he can find to fold and fold, determined to turn paper into impact. What keeps him motivated to tackle such meticulous work? Aidan said, “The reason why I started this charity business is to help others in need. Our motto is ‘spreading kindness one fold at a time.’” With his origami pandas, Aidan raised nearly $14,000 through a single event for the charity Children in Conflict. 

But his days are packed — in addition to academics, squash, and Peace Panda, Aidan’s love of LEGOs fostered another project important to him: he co-founded “The Mighty Robotics” with William Dong ’30, Noah Levy ’31, Aaryav Sinha ’30, and Andrew Slaughter ’31. This team, with support from Spark Tank, creates starter robots and obstacles to inspire and engage our youngest learners at the 94th Street Campus. 

Recently, Aidan and his team (and their robot, TacoBot!) competed at the NYC Horace Mann Qualifier of the First LEGO League, where they won the 1st place innovation award and a silver ticket to the semi finals at Leonardo DaVinci School in Queens.

Lesa Wang, Head of Design and Director of Global Spark Program, described Aidan as incredibly determined, motivated, and most importantly “humble.” 

“For someone who’s done so much for other people, he doesn’t brag about it,” Wang said.

At Dwight, where he has been since kindergarten, Aidan shines not only as a student but as a community member. In every subject, from Math to English, Aidan is curious, and creates a positive learning environment.  

MYP English Teacher Barry Kimpel said, “One of Aidan's primary strengths is his willingness to ask questions and put forth ideas that he believes will promote a deeper understanding of what we are studying as a class. His willingness to stoke the dialogic flames — that are needed to enliven literary studies — helps illuminate deeper ideas and questions amongst his peers.”

Jennifer Boyce, MYP Mathematics Teacher, who teaches Aidan advanced math, noted that even in the classroom, Aidan is “civically minded.” 

“He helps other people, checks in during partner work, and makes sure his group is on topic and focused,” Ms. Boyce said. 

She also recalled a simple but illuminating gesture from Aidan, saying, “Every day, he comes in and says hello even when he doesn’t have math.”

It is, in fact, Aidan’s goodwill that has left the greatest impression on the Dwight community. 

That goodwill continues as he is preparing for another Peace Panda fundraiser, this time for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We wish him great success!