On Pointe: Our Steps 2014

A Lincoln tradition, Our Steps, made its way to the Black Box Theatre once again from Oct. 9 to 11. Every year, the Lincoln High School Dance Department uses Our Steps to showcase the surplus of talent that the dancers at Lincoln possess. Each dance featured is choreographed and performed by Lincoln students, making Our Steps a unique and impressive show that gathers a large audience every year.

This year, a wide variety of dance styles were presented, including Hip-Hop, Folklórico, Breakdance, and Jazz. Over three hundred students performed in the show, all of whom are enrolled in at least one of fifteen dance classes at Lincoln High.

The performance consisted of 24 dances which featured large groups, small groups, duets and solos. All dancers demonstrated technique learned in class and performed with enthusiasm and energy. While all dances were excellent, some really left a lasting impression.

One dance, titled Latch, was a duet performed by Ale Leyva and Erwin Steven that featured advanced lifts, leaps and partner work. Later, two members of the Lincoln Convertibles, Karina Brouse and Ciera McCain, performed a dance titled Why Don’t You Love Me, which was an energetic piece that showed the advanced techniques that the Convertibles are notorious for.  Joshua Michelberg performed a unique dance titled Revival of Breakdance, which incorporated traditional breakdancing and was particularly impressive. Overall, Our Steps reflected the hard work, dedication and talent that characterizes the dancers at Lincoln High.

One junior dancer, Sophie Lee, performed both a class dance and a solo. She said that part of the reason she chose to participate in Our Steps was because “it’s one of the few opportunities that the dance department gets to showcase the hard work and talent that we get to see every day in our classes.” Lee also mentioned that another reason many Lincoln dancers choose to participate in the dance concert is because of the friendships made during the span of the show. “Dancers in Our Steps forge new friendships and create lasting memories,” said Lee. With regard to the work that is put into the show, Lee said, “getting positive feedback makes all the hard work worth it.”

If you missed out on the amazing performances in Our Steps, don’t worry. You will still have a chance to catch Steps, the second department-wide dance concert, when it debuts in the Spring of 2015.