LI Dance Recital Gives Back

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Created on Wednesday, 27 April 2016 15:21
Written by Alexandra Conroy

lidanceLYNDON - Lyndon Institute Dance Company is on the move to raise money at this Friday's Benefit Dance Recital. The company has been working hard to benefit a good cause.

Rebecca McGregor, the LI Dance Instructor, has been organizing the company for about 8 years now.

"I put together the event to figure out an organization to benefit in our local Vermont area," McGregor said. "I try to stay close to the Kingdom but I also sometimes branch out."

This year, the recital is benefiting Northeast Kingdom Youth Services Kids on the Move. Kids on the Move is a program to promote youth wellness and healthy lifestyle choices. Northeast Kingdom Youth Services Kids on the Move program gives children the opportunity and goal to increase food independence and learn how to improve their health according to their website. The recital has a lasting impact on the community, especially Northeast Kingdom Kids on the Move according to McGregor.

"[Northeast Kingdom Kids on the Move] gives opportunities for families and students to understand how to better their lives for nutrition purposes and exercise, getting out in the community and getting more active," McGregor said.

The dancers in the company which McGregor runs talked about how they prepare for a performance like a benefit recital.

"We run through all the dances, work spacing, talk together to see what parts we can fix or maybe adjust and we have a little moment where we close our eyes and mentally prepare for out recital as well," LI senior Capri Colby said. Colby said she is passionate and has a love for movement, but has never yet had a fear for performing.

The LI Dance Company will not be the only dancers on stage Friday night. Johnson State College, the Saint Johnsbury Ballet Company, Deena Danielson Dance Company, Lamoille Union High School, and Lyndon Institute are excited to be sharing the stage according to Elizabeth Herbert.

"It's a lot of fun to be dancing with new dancers because a lot of dancers from other companies come in and you get to see new choreography and new talent," Herbert said. Hebert has been dancing for 12 years; she thinks this year will be even better.

"I'm feeling very confident," Herbert said. "Our dance company has practiced a lot and we're a very passionate group of girls and we really care about what we're doing."

For some students, it's a bittersweet recital, since it will be the last event of the year. LI senior Renee Bly is both nervous yet excited for her future after high school and the LI Dance Company. Bly has been dancing since the 8th grade in hip-hop and lyrical dance. "This is going to be my last one for both of the recitals so it's joyful for me but also upsetting," Bly said.

The Lyndon Institute Dance Recital will be helping raise money for Northeast Kingdom Kids on the Move, and the recital will be held this Friday at 7pm in the auditorium.