EHS Dance Program Debuts Competition Team

INTRODUCING ELEVATE

Inaugural Competition Team Makes Its EHS Debut

The arts are collaborative, innovative, and competitive. Episcopal High School welcomes dancers from beginner to intermediate and advanced. You’ve seen our fall concert and watched the fun routines at pep rallies. The dedication of EHS dancers and their teachers is apparent by the consistent level of performance. Dance Program Coordinator Kristina Burgess, along with choreographer and teacher Karen Pfeifer ’05, would like to introduce you to the new competition team, Elevate. “We have a lot of dedicated dancers who wanted to pursue more performance opportunities. They love competing. It brings out a different side of the artistic part of dance. We decided that we wanted to add a level not only of performance opportunities but chances for the students to compete and experience conventions,” explains Burgess.

There are nine dancers on the inaugural team and it’s open to all grade levels. The team members are from Repertory or Impact and were extended invitations to officially dance for Elevate. They’re now getting the opportunity to take classes taught by professional dancers. “A lot of them are currently dancing on Broadway or with New York City Ballet,” adds Pfeifer.

Our cameras were there to capture some of the group as they worked through poses and collaboration earlier this fall. Mali Hogue ’24 says, “I think we had a lot of dancers who previously competed or currently do competitive dance, so the School wanted to involve students who like competing and make it a bigger program.”

While Hogue is new to this dance structure, Olive Martin ’23 has stepped onto the competitive stage before and under a familiar face’s leadership. “I used to compete in middle school, and I wanted to get back into competition dance. And because I am so involved with other sports on campus, my schedule wouldn’t allow me to be at a studio. So, they made this opportunity to help me do this. And it’s been helpful to continue to work with Ms. Pfeifer because she was my instructor at the West University Dance Center,” says Martin.

It’s no secret we Stand Out here at EHS so why not keep that tradition alive? “As far as I know we are the only one (school) that has a competition group that does these types of competitions. There are a lot of private school students that go to these competitions through their dance studios but as far as private high schools, I believe we are the only one in Houston that is doing this,” explains Burgess. She went on to say that both EHS senior leadership and the parents have been very supportive of this new creative outlet for the dancers. That support is apparent in the smiles on the faces of the dancers and in observing their interactions with each other. “I think our team has gotten really close. We have a good connection,” says Hogue.

The Elevate team practices every Saturday morning. Dedicated to their craft and to each other, they show up week after week. “It’s taught me how to work with others. What one person may be struggling with, another one can help. And when we put it together, it looks great,” says Lili Shore ’24.

“They’ll compete with dancers from all over Houston and the world. They’ll have the chance to help raise their standards of dance in the process.” —Kristina Burgess

The New York City Dance Alliance hosted a November competition, giving Elevate their first taste of conference competition. In January they’ll get another chance to showcase what they’ve spent the better part of the school year preparing for. January’s convention competition is hosted by Los Angeles-based Streetz Dance. There, dancers will be exposed to more contemporary dance styles. But that’s not all. Elevate dancers have three other competitions to attend with a chance to showcase their talents, all within this school year.

Martin explains, “It forces you to figure out your strengths and how to improve on your weaknesses because everything must look good and cohesive when you compete.”

With pride on their faces, Burgess and Pfeifer look forward to next year and beyond as they watch their team grow together. Pfeifer smiles when she says, “Some of these girls are considering pursuing dance in college and I think this is a great experience for them just to see what it’s like in the dance world.” “I think they are really going to gain a lot of confidence within themselves,” adds Burgess.

—Jessica Morales