Havergal’s Forgotten Art

Writer: Sophie Cheng
Editor: Sophie Zhang

This month, the ever-so-exciting reveal of the varsity jacket hit the weekly for purchase. As everyone else probably did, I took a look. As I browsed through the chevrons, I scrolled through the options till I reached the part of the list that focused on arts, and they were as listed: band, choir, design, drama, orchestra, and visual art… 

As usual, Havergal’s forgotten art had, well, been forgotten.

For as long as I have been in Havergal, I have been a part of the dance troupe community. Entering my final year at Havergal, I reflect upon my commitment across the past years: weekly practice sessions, dance competitions, along additional rehearsals to boot as the annual dance show would approach. Was this not a meaningful accomplishment to Havergal Arts, deserving representation in HC life, the arts council’s Instagram bio, or even as a patch on the varsity jacket? As one of the few who look back on their time in Havergal and see dance troupe entrenched in HC identity, the lack of dance representation in the general community baffles me. Across the years, intentional or not, Havergal culture has created a general ignorance towards dance troupe, stemming from the lack of a formal dance program, funding and connections with Havergal’s central leadership.

It is clear that dance lacks formal support at Havergal, particularly in the upper school. There is no formal dance instructor, class, or proper dance space. To some, dance troupe is intrinsically recreational, which lowers the seriousness of it all; as though dance troupe is just a recreational after-school club instead of one of the branches of Havergal arts.

This year, I’ve had the opportunity to once more act as the co-head of dance troupe. As much as it is a joy to organize and lead this small yet talented community, it is not easy work. A huge struggle of managing dance troupe is dealing with the lack of authority that leaders in dance troupe have. While many student leaders of Havergal are independent and responsible, it is hard to accomplish anything without teachers to give support and guidance. My first year in dance troupe marked the last year of Mme Bryant’s leadership in the troupe. She had been the teacher advisor of the troupe for many years, showing great enthusiasm not only in supporting the students but in dance itself. Upon her departure, Ms Pang stepped in as the teacher advisor, juggling both band and troupe. Ms Pang had been a member of troupe herself as a student, and her pre-existing involvement in Havergal arts allowed her to coordinate sessions, organize rehearsals, and even finally put together a budget to purchase standing mirrors to emulate a dance studio for troupe members. (Up to this year, dance troupe sessions would be held in the BRH, which, while spacious, did not have mirrors which made it harder to learn choreography. In fact, this had been a request from the dance troupe even from Ms Pang’s time as a student!)

Currently, Vicky (my amazing co-head) and I work with Ms Wong, a boarding staff and a dancer in her own right. Fresh into the year with new leadership, however, we were provided no notice that the upper school dance troupe was to accept middle schoolers this year, nor that sessions had, without our say, been moved to Thursdays (coincidentally clashing with Choir, who also use the BRH as a practice space, and, without a doubt, hold a higher importance than the dance troupe in the HC community). With that, we were moved to the drama studio for practices. While the mirrors are appreciated, the small room is particularly restrictive for dance, and it also leaves the mirrors that dance troupe had invested in, well, useless. Nevertheless, we try to maximize what we have, and dance troupe has been quite alright so far.

As I say this all, however, it might be important to note that these all come from personal experiences with dance troupe. I couldn’t possibly report on the administrative side of things, as the lack of communication with Havergal arts staff and leaders makes it hard for Vicky and I to truly understand the whole scope of how dance troupe is managed in Havergal.

But enough of the negatives! The point of this article, after all, is all about shedding light on dance troupe, Havergal’s current dance program.

So what even is dance troupe? You’ve probably gathered that dance troupe is one of the arts programs at Havergal, and is mainly student-led with a teacher advisor to oversee everything and help with administrative matters. Held every Thursday, dance troupe is a gathering for dancers who want to further their dancing in school. As we currently work towards the dance show, members who volunteered as choreographers lead their members through dances that we look forward to presenting later this year! The opportunities in dance troupe include the annual dance troupe show, along with possible excursions, involvement in th CIS Dance Fest, and for the dance team (a branch of super dedicated dancers in the troupe), the annual Strive Dance Competition.

Currently, while dance troupe is small in numbers, I feel very grateful that I have been able to meet fellow dancers in the HC community and do what we love at school. When I first joined dance troupe as a new student in grade 9, the welcoming members and student leaders prompted a sense of belonging, creating a space where I was inspired to try a variety of dance styles, even if I had never learnt them before. Since then, I’ve always hoped that dance troupe could be a safe, fun, and engaging space for those who are part of it. Even though troupe can get very intense as the show approaches, it is a space to try out dances that the members are interested in, continue to refine dance styles that you are passionate about, and bond over similar enjoyment in dance.

Dance should matter to Havergal. Many talented dancers lurk in our community and we don’t even know it. Dance, just like the other arts, is a means of expression that is important to HC students. Even if there is no formal dance program, the HC community should get to know about the troupe (many might not even know it exists) and learn about dance at Havergal. As we move through this year, dance troupe is hoping to showcase its talented members to the HC community and promote this performing art to others that may be interested. With that being said, the dance troupe members can’t wait to perform at the dance show around May of next year, so you should totally swing by to see what dance troupe has to offer!