They say to dance like no one is watching.
But that won’t be an option for 24 staff and 80 students from Miles Macdonell Collegiate as they take the stage on Wednesday, May 29 for the sixth instalment of the school’s Dancing With the Staff fundraising recital.
“I’m super excited this year, because it is the biggest amount of teachers participating,” said Katherine Ybanez, dance instructor at the East Kildonan-based school. “We have three dance classes from this semester performing hip hop numbers. It’s an inclusive show that includes all students who want to participate. They come in at lunch and work hard. Everyone works so hard. We practice anywhere we can. It really brings the school together.”
Supplied photo by Serena Kauffmann-Paul
Miles Macdonell Collegiate’s Dancing With the Staff is back for another year on Wednesday, May 29. The annual show acts as both a showcase and a fundraiser for the school’s dance program.
“It’s so good,” said Joleen Bell, a Grade 9/10 English teacher who will be taking part in her second Dancing With the Staff.
“This is great because it forces us out of our department offices and classrooms and making connections with other parts of the school. You come together for four weeks, working on these routines, you’re laughing, having a great time, so when you see each other in the hallway, you’re touching base with each other. It opens up those doors to community.”
This year, there will be seven numbers featuring a mix of students and teachers, along with the three hip hop dance class numbers, performances from the school’s ACE dance team, and even a small musical theatre interlude, featuring songs from High School Musical. The routines that the students and staff work on together are part of a competition, judged by three guest judges, with bragging rights and school swag on the line for the winners. Guest judges this year are Orielle Marcus, owner and director of The Dance Method, GeNie Baffoe, hip hop artist and dancer, and Javyn Desbois, a dancer and new teacher to Miles Mac.
“Proceeds go towards the dance program, helps towards costumes and bringing in guest teachers and artists, and any field trips we can do,” Ybanez said.
“The actual show, students are in the tech booth, backstage, it’s really students and staff coming together. Everyone works together to make the show a success.”
Anniah Pagliniwan, a Grade 10 student, is in the dance program at Miles Mac. She will be dancing in five numbers during the show — three as part of class or the ACE dance crew, one for the competition, and one that she and her friends choreographed themselves in their free time.
Supplied photo by Serena Kauffmann-Paul
On Wednesday, May 29, 24 staff and 80 students from Miles Macdonell Collegiate will take to the stage as part of Dancing With the Staff, a fundraiser and showcase for the school’s dance program.
“The community here, everyone is so welcoming,” Pagliniwan said. “When you have questions about choreo or anything, everyone’s so ready to help out. I can always be myself.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. in the school’s theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the school office.
Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist
Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time.
Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca
Call him at 204-697-7112
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