Western Reserve Academy is thrilled to present its Winter Dance Performance “Seasons” inside our Knight Fine Arts Center.

Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free with open seating. Click here to join us virtually!

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On Friday, Dec. 6, the Fine & Performing Arts Dance Program will debut its first performance of the year, “Seasons.” Featuring more than 80 student-dancers, this performance journeys through the calendar year, structured as four sections — fall, winter, spring and summer. A perfect parallel to the school year!

As far as themes go, Seasons is a winning unifier. Talking about the weather is famously the go-to conversation starter. It’s relatable, universal and packed with centuries of inspiration for art, music and metaphor. How many poems and paintings have used it as an allegory for life and death? How many lyrics reference the season to convey thought and feeling?  “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine” — “The sun’s in my heart, and I’m ready for love” — “All the leaves are brown / and the sky is gray” — and so on!

With so much potential in the theme, this show brings everything to the table: a springtime number with umbrellas and raincoats, a spooktacular nod to Halloween to the tune of “Thriller,” and a winter wonderland with all of the festive trimmings. Other performances dive into deeper themes and abstract interpretations. One standout is the springtime piece, “Bloom,” a heartfelt exploration of new beginnings and blossoming romance.

With a few weeks to go, rehearsals are in full swing inside the dance studio. Director of Dance Katie Velbeck and Assistant Director of Dance Ali Anzaldi ’13 are fine-tuning every detail, helping dancers bring their movements to life.

“Right now, I’m working with the dancers on getting out of what I called their ‘headspace,’” said Velbeck. “I can tell they’re focusing so hard on the next steps, but I remind them — this is about acting and emotion, too!”

Meanwhile, the Academy Choir and WRA Orchestra are also gearing up for their big moments in the spotlight. Expect to hear the choir perform “Seasons of Love” in the opening number and the orchestra’s stunning rendition of Vivaldi’s “Spring,” in the second act. Anzaldi admitted that pulling all the pieces together is no small feat.

“You have to remember that we never have collective free time,” she explained. “Our first full run-through will be during tech week.”

Vivaldi, she noted, is one of the trickier ballets, but the dancers are mastering its lively tempo and sound, and she couldn’t be more delighted by their progress.

This production brought another challenge. That same weekend of the performance, three dancers travel to Denver, Colorado, for the NAIS Diversity Leadership Conference — an incredible opportunity, but a bittersweet absence for these devoted dancers. But their absence didn’t stop them from contributing in a big way. Nicole Pae ’25 even co-choreographed part of the “Winter” piece, proving that teamwork knows no bounds.

Even with three students missing, the volume of dancers featured in this show is an astonishing, and staggering, 81 students —  making it one of the most popular programs on campus. This year, there are many student-athletes taking advantage of the course to improve flexibility, balance, coordination and more. Notably, quite a few Boys Soccer players — proving that fancy footwork isn’t just for the field!

As they round the corner to opening night, both Velbeck and Anzaldi are beaming with pride. And the dancers’ enthusiasm for tech week, despite its long hours, speaks volumes about the camaraderie and culture of the program. 

“Tech week is when they finally get to see each other perform,” said Anzaldi. “They cheer for each other so loudly, they almost drown out the music. And it’s incredible to see how much confidence they gain because of this.”

It’s no wonder that the dance program is in such high demand. It feels like a family — a warm, supportive and incredibly talented one at that. 

So, grab a seat in the Knight Fine Arts Center auditorium and get ready to experience the beauty of “Seasons!” Rain or shine, snow or sun, our dancers are ready to dazzle. Break a leg, Pioneers!