For the first time, this year, Paul Taylor Education Center sent choreographers, teachers, and dancers to Dwight in order to provide in-classroom dance workshops and lessons. In addition, and with the help of Dwight teachers, parents, and students, the community once again created an exciting and unforgettable dance experience together: our annual Dance Sparks Showcase. 

Violetta Zambetti, Lower School Music Teacher, facilitated the collaboration with Paul Taylor Dance, with the goal for Dwight students to not only learn dance, but strengthen their bodies, develop their minds, and build community. Her initiative came from wanting students to branch out of technology, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dance teaches you discipline with the body and breath. It is a fantastic and very powerful tool that can withstand any kind of challenge,” she said. 

At the core of the Paul Taylor Dance approach is athleticism and wellness. Their instruction challenges traditional ideas of dance by incorporating elements such as martial arts alongside modern techniques, helping to break down the divide between dance and sport, and making it more accessible. Raya Kazawa, a Paul Taylor dancer who led the workshops, noted how Dwight students embraced this approach. “Dwight students are very athletic, which really aligns with what Paul Taylor is and what his choreography entails,” she said. 

Grades 2, 3, and 4 enjoyed the workshops, and were pleasantly surprised by how much sport was involved in the process. Maya P. ’34 said, “I liked the things that were athletic and included flexibility and running.” Many of the students also noticed the eccentricity of the choreography. Oscar A-C ’34 said, "My favorite part of the dance workshop was when we did the abstract dancing." 

For the past two years, Paul Taylor Dance has been a major part of Dwight’s annual Dance Sparks Showcase. Facilitated by Ms. Zambetti, and planned together with Amy Marshall, Director of Education at the Taylor Center for Dance Education and Dwight Global Online parent to Pasha Levy ’25, soloists from all grades continued to challenge dance norms by breakdancing, tap dancing, folk dancing, and more. 

Lower School students opened the stage with confidence and poise. Leah M. ’36, performed a lyrical routine to “Everything Goes With Blue.” The Fourth Grade Dance Team delivered a graceful and unique performance of “River Flows in You,” accompanied live on piano by Callie B. ’34 and choreographed by Dwight parent Lee Martinez. Cultural dance was also celebrated, with George H. ’35 and Kalliopi H. ’38 inviting the audience to an interactive Greek dance. The showcase also featured guest performers from the Taylor Teen Ensemble, who presented “Battleworks Etude,” a modern piece based on the choreography of Robert Battle (who came to support our Dwight students!). 

Paul Taylor representatives were greatly impressed by both the talent and effort displayed during the showcase. Ms. Marshall said, “The one thing that is very specific to Dwight is talking about their spark and learning about the spark for each child. So I feel really great that we're here with a spark for dance because that completely goes with our mission… And even if they're not dancers, they can find a spark through movement.”

This collaboration was meaningful in that it fostered the magical connection between dance, health, wellness, and community. More than just a series of workshops, it provided students, whether experienced dancers or beginners, with an opportunity to challenge themselves, discover new passions, and share their creativity. As our partnership continues to grow, it promises to inspire even more Dwight students to explore dance as both an art form and a source of strength.

Coming up in May, grade 3 will go on a field trip to the Paul Taylor Dance Studios — where they will participate in a short dance activity, observe professional dancers in rehearsal, and tour the space! 

You can see a video of this year’s Dance Spark Showcase below.

 

 

 

 

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