10 years and still dancing

May 26, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Performance Troupe, modern dance, opens the show. Photo by Gordon Miller

Hip Hop 2 performs “Astronaut in the Ocean.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Ballet Sprouts are “Shimmering Ponies” under the patient direction of Charlotte Lang. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Advanced Irish dancers perform softshoe to “Eric and the Angels and Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Hip Hop 3 gets into a “Family Feud.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

“Who Let the Dogs Out” by Hip Hop 1. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

“What’s That? A Hat” by Hip Hop 3/4. Photo by Gordon Miller

Intermediate/Advanced Irish dancers perform to “Mister Molly’s".” Photo by Gordon Miller

Modern 3 performs “Heartless.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Advanced Highland dancers perform “Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Beginner/Intermediate Tap dancers end their number, “No Tears Left to Cry.” Photo by Gordon Miller

The show’s largest number combines three levels of ballet dancers for “Garland Waltz.” Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Senior Jamie Atchinson combines performing and visual art pieces. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Intermediate Highland performs “Her Heart Will Go On.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Beginner/Intermediate Irish are “Keepin’ It Reel.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Hip Hop 1/2 bops to “I Like to Move it.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Hip Hop 4 is “In the Ayer.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

The Taber Merchant memorial dance by Jenna Companion, Fiona Garufi, Riley Dalley and Ellett Merriman. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Hip Hop 3/4 “Keep[s] It Undercover.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Hip Hop 3/4 B performs “Lipgloss.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Performance Troupe (Hip Hop) dances “Homecoming.” Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Final bows. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Green Mountain Performing Arts students performed in person for the first time since 2019, selling out Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe last weekend.

The performance also marked the school’s 10th year as a nonprofit dance, theater and music organization in the community. 

Many family and friends from Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown and nearby filled the seats as some 120 dancers from preschool tots to high school students presented more than two hours of modern, ballet, hip-hop, and Celtic dances with special tributes spread throughout the program. Dances featured colorful costumes with themes from tiny preschool unicorns and pint-sized dalmations to astronauts and a Family Feud themed dance-skit. 

The school’s co-directors Jenna Companion and Katie Decker began with a sendoff to Irish Dance teacher Dylan Broderick who is stepping down this summer and to senior dancer Jamie Atchinson, soon to graduate from Harwood Union High School. Atchinson is headed to Tufts University, a detail revealed in a solo piece featuring original paintings and chance to don a Tufts sweatshirt. 

The program included what has become a regular feature of the annual recital with one dance dedicated to Taber Merchant, the Crossett Brook sixth grader and avid dancer who passed away in 2011. A scholarship fund in his name continues to support students at the school.  

In a nod to current events in Ukraine, Highland dancers wearing royal blue costumes added gold and blue wristbands. For one of the final numbers of the show, several of the school’s former Irish and Highland dancers joined the Celtic Company ensemble as alumni. 

The show concluded with each group of dancers taking to the stage for a final bow, followed by the house lights coming up for the audience to join in dancing the Macarena. 

Proceeds from the show will be put toward the school’s ongoing fundraiser to replace dance floors in its two studio spaces, Companion said. 

The school runs classes and camps through the summer. More information online at greenmountainperformingarts.org.

Waterbury Roundabout editor Lisa Scagliotti lives with a GMPA dancer.