Northville Varsity Dance Company's 18th Annual Performance

Northville High School Varsity Dance Company is closing out its eighteenth season with their Annual Performance “Illuminate" on Friday, February 7th, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The annual performance will showcase the diversity, creativity, and artistic expression of the Dance Company through solo and group performances featuring professional and student choreography. The dance genres of jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary will be represented.

Carly Siracusa Carlin, the Dance Company's Artistic Director says the theme of this season's annual performance was inspired by the increasing popularity and growth of the Dance Company. “To illuminate is to make something visible or bright by shining light on it. Our 18th season was without a doubt our time to shine and for the universe to shine a light on the magic that is NHSVDC. For so long we continued to grow and succeed despite adversity and nonbelievers, but this time, this season, we are in the light.” She adds, “Everyone is beginning to see what I have seen all along. This organization is unique, special and one of a kind. It’s filled with the most talented and loving dancers with the most supportive dance family around. The vision I had when I started this journey has not only come to life, but the most divine light has been shining on it this season and I am filled with love and gratitude more than ever.”

Siracusa Carlin is celebrating a milestone of her own this season as it is her 15th year choreographing for NHS Varsity Dance Company. It is also her 14th year as artistic director, head choreographer, and coach. She is an accomplished dancer, award winning choreographer and was born, raised, and trained in New York City. The Dance Company’s eighteenth season has meant so much to Siracusa Carlin. “This was a truly remarkable season. It not only illuminated the magic of us as a team but it shined a beautiful light on my dancers and reminded me just how lucky I am. This is so much more than my dream team. The level of talent is beyond anything the Dance Company has ever seen and their passion, strength and courage to achieve goals and set new records is unmatched. She adds, “I have never been more proud to showcase what we’ve been working on. I feel immensely blessed to be leading this organization.”

The Dance Company’s Class of 2025 is the Leadership Team of Captains for their eighteenth season – Madi Kitchens and Danielle Sandler. They each shared their experience on the Dance Company, also known as NHSVDC. Sandler says, "Varsity Dance Company has provided me with a community throughout high school. I always had a safe haven to return to after a long school day. My experience on Dance Company has taught me so much. I learned the values of hard work, leadership, compassion, and dedication.” Kitchens adds, “Something I love about the dance company is the fact that we can all come together after a long grueling day of school and just know that our team has our back. We can present our opinions freely without judgment. As a captain, I am able to give advice when others need it. This team is like a big group of sisters that I didn’t know I needed until three years ago. I love when we acknowledge each other‘s accomplishments and lift each other up when someone is having an off day.” Sandler states, “I love that we are not just a dance team, but a family.” Kitchens adds, “I will forever be grateful for the experience that I was given on this team and the beautiful relationships that came out of it.”

With each dancer having different and diverse backgrounds in dance, the Dance Company has 17 dancers for its eighteenth season. Siracusa Carlin adds, “Each dancer brings something different which is one of the many reasons that makes the Dance Company so unique. The dancers are constantly learning, growing, and being inspired by their teammates. It opens their minds to all of the many facets of this beautiful art of dance.” Bringing all of their talents together, the Dance Company has performed in the NHS Fall Pep Rally, NHS Homecoming Parade, NHS basketball games, Northville Holiday Lighted Parade, and the Collaboration Concert with the dance program at Novi High School. The annual performance will complete the Dance Company performance lineup for its eighteenth season.

Student choreography, one of the most unique facets of the Dance Company will be featured in its eighteenth annual performance. Seniors and Team Captains, Madi Kitchens and Danielle Sandler, Juniors Aurelia Calabrese, Ana Currie, and Lilica Hayami and Sophomore, Emily Oros are the student choreographer team for the Dance Company’s eighteenth season. Calabrese will be marking her second year as a student choreographer and the annual performance will mark the student choreographer debuts of Kitchens, Sandler, Currie, Hayami, and Oros. Siracusa Carlin adds “This is one of the most amazing student choreographer teams we have ever seen. They each have their own unique style and each of their pieces bring something different to our annual performance lineup. I’m so proud of all of their hard work, commitment and dedication.” Looking back on her experience as a student choreographer, Sandler adds, "I am immensely grateful for the opportunity I was given to choreograph and teach my piece. I loved the creative freedom I was given and further enjoyed being able to share my dance with others." Student choreographers are selected by audition and once selected work closely with NHSVDC's Artistic Director, Siracusa Carlin to perfect their pieces for the annual performance.

The annual performance will feature solos performed by each of the Dance Company's two seniors. Their final season is especially bittersweet for Siracusa Carlin. “They are my perfect pair – the true definition of captains. It is so surreal that their last annual performance is here. From their larger than life hearts to their beaming positivity, to their drive to push the team to be better every day, we are so lucky to have them. They are amazing role models and leaders and I am beyond proud of all the growth that I’ve been blessed to watch on this beautiful journey. I feel so lucky that they have trusted me to be their guide.” The Class of 2025 is represented by the team Captains Madi Kitchens and Danielle Sandler. Sandler will be celebrating four years on the Dance Company.

Tickets for "Illuminate" will be available for purchase prior to the start of the performance at the NHS Auditorium Box Office beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each.