When asked to sing at the County Prep Alumni Dance Concert, I knew it would be a one of a kind experience. My former and freakin’ awesome Dance/Performing Arts Instructor, Heather Warfel, who also happens to be a band member of The Ukuladies, is a living example of what mentors, teachers, and role models should be doing–empowering our youth and instilling confidence so that they believe in themselves.

Since being her student and until now, she has been this way, even long after they are a student. When she told me she was planning the concert to celebrate the program’s 15 years of existence under her direction, I knew there’d be no way to say no.  When I arrived and was greeted by the beautiful faces of County Prep’s youth, I got emotional (I’m a softy, what can I say?!). There was a huge lineup of performances from dancing to singing, ranging from current students of her modern dance program to graduates who have taken on creative professions.

There were so many great performers and alumni to highlight but to highlight a few, David aka Murdock was a dope young rapper who’s got a great future ahead. His voice was commanding, the music was dig-able, and he had dope energy on stage.

All of the dancers were AMAZING to say the least and Emily was beautiful to witness. She performed a modern solo that she collaborated on with some of her dance teachers from The New School. I love how dancers can influence an observer’s emotions just by using movement and not facial expressions.

John Hines also did a modern solo and performed a duet with Allyn. Heather “Warfizzle,” as she’s fondly referred to by her current students, informed me that John and Allyn worked on their duet via the worldwide web since John performs at Disney in Florida. After reminding myself of how absolutely flawless they were together, I was stunned to hear this fact. Talk about determination, talent, and patience. No excuses, folks!  One of my favorite performances of the evening was also choreographed by John and performed by a group of current students using ropes. It was incredible.

When the night was over, I was on a high. There was so much talent, hope, positivity in the room and school that gave me the courage to be a performer. The concert was a big success, so big I couldn’t sleep and had questions for Heather.

What inspired you to invite alumni together and perform? 

Well, I wanted to do something special for this anniversary. One of my alumni who I’m close to is performing at Walt Disney World, and every time I see him post a new picture of himself dance I’m so proud. At the class of 2004 reunion, I found out one of our former dancers has been traveling the world as a professional breakdancer. I’m lucky to be in touch with many of my former students, and it became clear to me that the best way to celebrate the program was to celebrate THEM.

My teaching process and philosophy have been directly informed by their willingness to experiment, discuss, argue, create, and dance with me.  I have a very clear idea of what I believe is important in arts education, and I don’t take for granted that my students have helped me to define that philosophy.  As I started to reach out to find alumni who were still active in the arts, I realized that while they all came through this program, their paths have been since then have been incredibly varied. That was so exciting to me and one of the things I’m most proud of! We are fulfilling our mission of using dance as a tool to open minds.

This program is sending creative people out into the world, who are saying ‘we will not be confined and we will not be limited by a pre-conceived idea of what it means to be successful!” (mic drop).  There is this misconception in the arts – especially dance – that if you pursue it you either “make it” or you go to your backup plan. This alumni concert proved that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Among these dance program alumni were professional dancers, choreographers, singers, producers, dance teachers, actors, future dance therapists, a yoga instructor, a praise-dance leader, a world-renowned b-boy, a filmmaker, an arts administrator, a visual and performance artist, and even one who spent time on Capitol Hill working on arts legislation – ALL influenced by their dance education. My job is not to tell my students what the path is. My job is to share the toolbox of dance and let them decide what to build.

And speaking of opening minds, more than half of the featured performers were MEN!

I have met so many amazing young people through this program, many of whom have become my friends and colleagues. This was a great way to honor them.

What do you hope to accomplish with the alumni dance events? 

I hope this event will help shed light on how valuable it can be to study and train in dance and the arts.  I would love for it to attract future dancers to our school, and show people how successful this program is. I also hope it brings attention to the great projects some of these young artists are working on.

What do you see for its future?

Well now I’m thinking outside of the dance program, I know we also have so many more talented people who have come through the County Prep- musicians,  rappers, artists. First, some rest.

Rest, indeed! Thank you, Heather, for all the insights, teaching lessons and inspiration you’ve provided me and everyone that come through your doors with. You ROCK! 

http://www.hcstonline.org/cphs/dance.html