Director’s Notes “The Dance, of all the arts, is the one that most influences the soul. Dancing is divine in its nature and is the gift of God.” -Plato
Welcome to this year’s Valley Christian High School Emotions Dance Show, Let’s Dance. We are so excited to have dancers sharing their gifts and choreography for the first time on the Valley stage since 2019. In honor of our return to student choreography this year we wanted to emphasize the FUN of doing what we love! The energy and joy that we as a dance community have while being in the studio and creating together is what we hope you feel! It is a tremendous privilege to share our passion that is meant to get you moving, grooving and jumping in and enjoying the ride! This journey began early in January, student choreographers have worked tremendously hard developing and refining their pieces to put in this production. Through a four-month mentoring program of our most talented Valley Christian choreographers, our students have had the tremendous pleasure to create and set dances on their peers through weekly rehearsals. I would like to thank their faculty mentors who have guided them along the way. I would like to take this moment to thank my cast for their hard work and the blessings that they bring to this community. The amazing technical crew, who work tirelessly to put it all together! The choreographers who developed, nurtured and created pieces that will leave a lasting legacy to our department. Finally, to my Seniors who have changed the tapestry of our community, left their mark in such wonderful ways and will continue to bring glory to God in all that they do! As artists we seek to add something into our community that did not exist before. Something of value and purpose that shed light on God’s goodness. God has called each of us to a purposeful life that involves risks and hardships along the way, but is sustained by faithfulness and growing hope. It is our sincerest hope within our production you will be challenged, encouraged, and inspired by God’s purposeful journey. His story of love, grace, hope and peace; that we hope is revealed through dance, as God works through our talented students. Let’s Dance! MC
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emotions Let’s Dance
Director..................................................................... Michelle McLaughlin Assistant Director.............................................................. Colette Evans Technical Director................................................................Keaton Miller Choreographer(s).......................... Valley Christian dance students and guest choreographers Tori Evans and Chloe Townsend Stage Manager....................................................................... Ryan Sparks Lighting Design...................................................................... Jason Kuzia Costume Mistress..................................................................... Kathy Risk Backstage Manager.............................................................Blake Tretter Running Crew............................................ Jeremy Le, Lakarah Vance, Machelle Ahmed, Samira Sadarangani, Maya Bangalore, Keya Shah, Valerie Tsai, Kayla Chau, Alexandra Cordero, Kayla Lewis, Alison Erisman 3
Program Tori Evans This dance was choreographed by Tori Evans for the Vivid Dance Team to compete during their 2021-22 season. It took 1st place at Nationals in Orlando Florida and also receive a best choreography award. They hope it makes you feel good. Dancers: Ashley Kim, Angela Li, Julia Lopez, Emily Luong, Callie Newsom, Rebecca Rebello, Mia Suzuki, Mia Zhang Music: Feeling Good by Avicii Diya Deshpande, Rhys McIntyre Diya and Rhys’ passion for lyrical is what inspired them to create this emotional piece. They worked together to incorporate moments that conveyed the meaning of the song and interpreted its heart felt intention. Dancers: Minhui Bartels, Diya Deshpande, Amelia King, Ekaterina Kuzmenko, Melinda Wong, Angela Yu Music: A Little Bit Yours by JP Saxe Emma Nabokov This piece represents my return to the competitive dance world after taking 6 years. Coming back to dance at a new studio was extremely intimidating and I was nervous to get back on a stage with a group I was unfamiliar with. However, I grew to learn that everyone I was dancing with felt some sort of fear or insecurities or stress of a new competition season, so what got me through the year was to immerse myself in my love for dance and embrace my worries and turn it into movement. Everybody’s scared, so dance in the dark, make it your art;) Dancers: Brooke Johnson, Taye Jones, Ashley Kim, Marisa Le, Rhys McIntyre, Camryn Portera, Jessica Rogy, Chelsey Wang, Vivian Wang, Mia Zhang Music: Dance in The Dark by Au/Ra Julia Lopez Music: Are You That Somebody by Aaliyah Ashley Kim Ashley created her group piece with the intention of highlighting the versatility of her dancers in executing various concepts and personas of dance. She also wanted to showcase a different style and vibe from what she choreographed for Emotions in the past. Overall, she is grateful for the opportunity to express her creativity through dance and is so proud of the dancers for bringing her vision to life. Dancers: Alice Duong, Brooke Johnson, Emily Luong, Rhys McIntyre, Emma Nabokov, Callie Newsom, Lisa Pressler, Jessica Rogy, Elaine Wang, Melinda Wong, Chloe Yao, Mia Zhang Music: Act Up by Rich Brian, EARTHGANG, Uncomfortable by Andy Mineo, Off the Grid by Kanye West, Sunroof by Nicky Youre
Program Vivian Wang For her dance, Vivian wanted to focus more on using emotion rather than technique in order to connect with the audience. The song “Never Let Me Go” by Florence & the Machine is about the decision to surrender to a desire that others may question, but you don’t care, and beg that desire to embrace you forever. Vivian worked with her friend. Music: Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine Adrina Hsieh, Rebecca Rebello Rebecca and Adrina have grown within the dance program at Valley and have been given the opportunity to choreograph, as well as perform, in Emotions 2022. Throughout this process, they have learned a lot of what it means to be on the other side of what goes into staging a dance. The idea behind the dance sprouted when they met in Rebecca’s living room and talked through what they wanted the audience to take away from the dance. They wanted to touch the hearts of the audience through what it means to be vulnerable and letting ourselves be open to love and fear. They hope that their dance connects with the audience and that after watching, the audience can take something away from it. Dancers: Minhui Bartels, Adrina Hsieh, Ekaterina Kuzmenko, Rebecca Rebello, Lucy Xie, Chloe Yao Music: Heart by Sleeping At Last Angela Li For this piece, Angela wanted to create something of power and impact that would encapsulate the strength we all have and the goodness of God. Since every dancer in this piece is a senior, Angela also wanted to showcase the journeys and growth they each have undergone to become the individuals and dancers they are today. She also hopes to emulate a sense of drive to audience members. To motivate them to push past obstacles and reach their goals, no matter how big or small they may be. Dancers: Crystal Chang, Angela Li, Julia Lopez, Emma Nabokov, Callie Newsom, Ryan Okamoto, Lisa Pressler, Allison Soh, Mia Zhang Music: Hurricane by Kanye West Chloe Yao For her solo, Chloe wanted to express her journey though dance. The dance is a lyrical style dance with lots of leaps and extensions. Her solo is to the song Moon River by Au/Ra, a slow and emotional song. This solo is a goodbye to high school competitive dance, and a welcoming of what’s to come. Music: Moon River by Au/Ra
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Program Khushi Loomba Dance has given Khushi the platform to express how she truly feels and share that feeling with those around her. This piece has allowed her to showcase her love for Indian culture and Bollywood dancing. Her culture’s familial and welcoming sentiments were the exact qualities that she wanted to share with the Valley Christian student body. She is thankful to God for providing her with this opportunity. Dancers: Kathalyn Do, Asha Durga, Anna Jun, Ethan Li, Khushi Loomba, Natalyn Nguyen, Riyana Rane, Taylor Rolen, Allison Soh, Joanna Tan, Hannah Thomas, Angela Yu, Music Title: Jai Jai Shivshankar by Vishal Dadlani and Benny Dayal
senior photo montage Chloe Townsend This fun dance was choreographed and staged by Chloe for the Vivid Dance Team which they competed with all season long. It took 2nd place at Nationals Contest of Champions. All 20 Vivid team members performed this lively character dance. Dancers: Estella Chen, Alice Duong, Cece Gu, Adrina Hsieh, Sharis Hsu, Ashley Kim, Katya Kuzmenko, Angela Li, Julia Lopez, Emily Luong, Emma Nabokov, Callie Newsom, Lisa Pressler, Rebecca Rebello, Mia Suzuki, Vivian Wang, Melinda Wong, Lucy Xie, Chloe Yao, Mia Zhang Music: Run and Tell That by Elijah Kelley; You Can’t Stop the Beat by Elijah Kelley, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes
intermission Cece Gu Shiyu was inspired to use the theme and story of the movie “Ocean’s 8”, where this movie followed the success of the film “Oceans 11”. She wants to portray the strength in women and how female figures can do many amazing things and the impossible as well. The dancers go on a journey throughout the dance in which they perform the highs and lows that the characters experience in the movie. The dance is a fun, stylized, character jazz dance with lots of sass. Dancers: Kate Candelaria, Shiyu Gu, Ashley Kim, Angela Li, Callie Newsom, Camryn Portera, Vivian Wang, Mia Zhang Music: Ocean’s 8 by Daniel Pemberton 6
Program Kate Candelaria Kate has been dancing since she could walk. She’s thankful for her parents and their endless love and support. This last show and performance are her turning the page and starting a new chapter in her life. Her solo symbolizes leaving home and “Going Solo.” Music: Go Solo by Tom Rosenthal Julia Lopez, Allison Soh Julia and Allison are co-choreographers for Nonstop. They came together to make this upbeat, groovy dance for their last high school year. They wanted this dance to produce fun energy with each other and through the audience. Julia and Allison want this to be a dance where the audience bop their heads and want to dance with them. They hope you dig their piece! Dancers: Crystal Chang, Rosaleen Chang, Ashley Kim, Angela Li, Khushi Loomba, Julia Lopez, Natalyn Nguyen, Ryan Okamoto, Lisa Pressler, Taylor Rolen, Allison Soh, Chloe Yao. Music: Nonstop by Drake Estella Chen, Mia Suzuki This piece is about how people don’t need to be struggling on their own. Through the tunnel of self-doubt and anxiety, everyone can find a light in someone who shares their pain. Individuals can build communities of support and elevate each other to a higher state of mind. The subtexts beneath the lyrics convey the feeling of hope and togetherness. The harmonies build an ensemble. The melody shows power in numbers. The poetic lyrics lures the audience into the performance. Our process of creating choreography for this piece is to listen to the song, identify beats and breaths, and transfer the meaning of lyrics into movement. Dancers: Minhui Bartels, Estella Chen, Maya Hsian, Jordan Jones, Amelia King, Mia Suzuki, Molly Tedeschi, Lucy Xie, Nicole Yavorski Music: You Will Be Found by Ben Platt Ashley Kim Music: Standing on the Horizon by Woodkid featuring Moses Sumney Jenna Dinh, Taylor Rolen As seniors, Jenna and Taylor wanted to create a dance that could wrap up their dance careers at VCHS and celebrates their time in the dance community. This piece is an homage to the relationships and family created “Along the Way”. Dancers: Shelby Chipman, Jenna Dinh, Kathalyn Do, Brooke Johnson, Julia Lopez, Ryan Okamoto, Lisa Pressler, Taylor Rolen, Joanna Tan, Music: P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson; September by Earth Wind and Fire 7
Program Callie Newsom Callie’s vision for this contemporary piece was that every dancer worked together and moved as one person towards one goal. Everyone in this piece has been a part of Callie’s life since either her freshman or sophomore year of high school. Since this show will be the last time this select group of dancers will perform all together, she wanted to create a piece that showcased everyone’s talents while keeping a sense of unity in the group. Dancers: Kate Candelaria, Alice Duong, Ashley Kim, Taye Jones, Angela Li, Emily Luong, Callie Newsom, Camryn Portera Music: Escalate by Tsar B Ryan Okamoto As a first-time group choreographer, Ryan faced challenges and obstacles, which he quickly overcame. This opportunity proved to give Ryan the vision to create a truly unique and exciting piece. Working on this dance with these 5 dancers gave him new skills which he can now build on. Ryan will genuinely cherish all the amazing memories he was able to make before he leaves for college. To everyone who made it special, he thanks you for making his senior year one to remember. Dancers: Shelby Chipman, Jenna Dinh, Julia Lopez, Ryan Okamoto, Taylor Rolen Music: Go by Andy Mineo; Pompeii by Bastille Alice Duong, Mia Zhang This piece is a celebration of being able to dance together—in person—as a community. After the pandemic, our dance community has grown a sense of appreciation for the blessing of being able to dance as a collective unit. Essentially, this piece is meant to bring a sense of bliss and joy, sharing that feeling of happiness when we dance together. Complemented by the upbeat music, this piece is meant to have fun and live in the moment! Dancers: David Bai, Alice Duong, Jeremy Elevander, Adrina Hsieh, Mason Jones, Jaron Kong, Gwen Lundgaard, Emily Luong, Tate Manley, Darrien Mitri, Emma Nabokov, Lisa Pressler, Dhruv Saran, Andy Tran, Elaine Wang, Vivian Wang, Mia Zhang, Max Zhuang Music: Feel So Close by Calvin Harris; Heartbreak Anthem by Galantis, David Guetta, Little Mix; So Close by NOTD, Fleix Jaehn, Captain Cuts, Georgia Ku
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Guest Choreographer Biographies Tori Evans is a Valley Christian alumni born in Connecticut but raised in northern California, where she trained at Lana’s Dance Studio for 15 years. She received a dance scholarship to the University of Arizona where she obtained her BFA. While at Arizona, Tori was part of LADM Company for two years. She personally assisted, Dave Carter along with Jackie Sleight, Christian Vincent, Huggy Ford, Leo Morimune and Dejan Tubic. After graduating college, Tori toured internationally with Barbie Live! The Musical, Empire of the Sun and Ricky Martin. She returned from tour and moved to Los Angeles where she works currently with companies such as Reebok, Lululemon and Sketchers. She has worked with artists such as Maroon 5, Pitbull, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce and most recently Gwen Stefani. Tori’s TV credits include Miss America, Latin Grammys, A Christmas Story Live, The Price is Right, Kelly Clarkson, and can be seen on the last 5 seasons of the Masked Singer. Tori brings her extensive experience and love for the art to the forefront whenever she teaches workshops around the world. Chloe Townsend started dancing at the age of 4 at Lana’s Dance Studio shortly after moving from England to California. She joined the competition dance team at age 6. Her years spent as a dancer at Lana’s Dance Studio inspired her to dream of one day becoming a dance teacher. She spent her free time assisting her dance teachers, and soon auditioned to be on the LA Dance Magic Company for the 20142015 season where she assisted faculty including: Dave Carter, Jackie Sleight, DJ Guthrie, Christian Vincent, and Eddie Moody. Chloe was crowned Miss Starquest, Miss Masquerade, and Miss KAR throughout 2013-2015. Chloe graduated from Live Oak High School in 2015 and continued to pursue her passion for dance at Santa Clara University. She continued to train in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and modern. She participated in both student and faculty productions at SCU for each year of attendance. Her junior year, she choreographed her own jazz piece titled “Grit & Grace” and was asked by the department to encore her piece in the faculty choreographed Images 2018. Chloe graduated from SCU in just over three years, completing her B.A in Theatre Arts and B.S. in Psychology in December 2018. She is embracing her passion of teaching dance at Valley Christian Schools in both Junior High and High School classes, in addition to her assistant coach role for the Vivid Dance Team and working at her childhood dance studio, Lana’s Dance Studio, as the Co-Director of the competition Hip Hop Onyx team. 9
Quest Ball
Dinner and Auction
04/23/2022
TICKETS ON SALE NOW PURCHASE TODAY! You can purchase individual, couples tickets, or sponsor an entire table. The cost to attend is $200 per ticket and includes all you need for a fun evening at a beautiful winery, including dinner, parking, all beverages (including wine and beer), live entertainment, and a wonderful time with our VCS community.
Tickets are available at vcs.net/questball.
View our website for further details
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Annual Gifts to the
WARRIOR FUND
Each family is asked to contribute annually in support of Valley Christian Schools. Annual gifts to the WARRIOR FUND are used to increase the general operating budget for the fiscal year and to ensure that each student at VCS has the opportunity to succeed. The executive leadership team is committed to being good stewards of your generous contributions by providing excellent opportunities for every student—from award-winning academic programs and extracurricular activities, to outstanding facilities and maintenance, and much more. Support the WARRIOR FUND at one of our exciting upcoming events:
uest Ball
Golf Classic
presented by Extend the Gift
8th Annual Quest Ball
27th Annual Golf Classic
Dinner and Auction
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April 23, 2022
May 16, 2022
Volunteering is a great way to connect with the VCS community, so email advancement@vcs.net to get involved! vcs.net/questball
We look forward to welcoming back the VCS community for a round of golf and a day of fellowship at the 27th annual Golf Classic
Thank you for partnering with us in creating Warriors: tomorrow’s leaders properly equipped to serve God and family while positively impacting their community and the world. Extend the Gift Office 408.362.7644
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MISSION STATEMENT Valley Christian Schools’ mission is to provide a nurturing environment offering quality education supported by a strong foundation of Christian values in partnership with parents, equipping students to become leaders to serve God, to serve their families, and to positively impact their communities and the world.
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VISION STATEMENT A world where every student pursues their personal Quest for Excellence™. FOUNDING STATEMENT Valley Christian Schools supports the homes and churches of students in providing an education that is grounded in the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, as reflected in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Valley Christian Schools is committed to a Quest for Excellence™ in all of its educational programs, and provides a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum with a rigorous college preparatory program. Firmly founded on Christian values, Valley Christian Schools challenges youth to aspire toward lives of character, service and influence while pursuing their individual Quests for Excellence. valleychristian
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