Dance Teams take three at USA Regionals
February 26, 2015
Placing in three categories at one of its most important competitions of the year, the dance department stepped confidently into its competitive season. Led by the director, captains, and members of the dance company, Diamond Bar achieved a triple win at USA Regionals.
One of the pieces, which won fourth place at USA regionals, featured a large lyrical group made up of members of Dance Team and one member of All-Male. Set to a serious song with a sensitive melody, the piece portrayed junior Jason Lin, the single male dancer in the piece, as a character who inflicts emotional harm to those he interacts with onstage. Aside from simply having a heavy theme, the piece was also described as difficult because it was mostly choreographed by the students.
Senior Rachel Mao, a co-captain of Dance Team, said it was also especially gratifying to win for this piece for that very reason.
“We dedicated so much extra time as a team to making it competition material,” she said.
An energetic co-ed hip-hop dance placed first in a dance set to B.o.B’s song “Out of My Mind,” featuring a concept closely related to the lyrics. Complete with costumes resembling doctors’ uniforms, the intricate visuals and motions of the dance borrowed imagery from scenes in mental asylums. It was choreographed by Keegan Sullivan, a DBHS All-Male alumni.
The ever-successful All-Male Dance Crew also took first place in the competition with another interesting concept. Set to a compilation of upbeat drum covers of popular songs, their fast-paced, vigorous dance derived inspiration from another stimulating performing arts group: drumline. Mimicking the precise motions of drummers, the team even dressed the part by wearing marching band uniforms, weaving in and out of formation and giving energetic shouts throughout the piece.
The team’s overall score qualified DBHS Dance Company for the championship division of USA Nationals, surpassing the team’s goal as described by director Kari Simonson.
“All groups have been working incredibly hard and I think each brings with them their own special quality and they bring forth the personality and what defines the team,” Simonson said.
Despite the initial success, the leaders of Dance Team and All-Male have been anticipating fierce competition and have been planning ahead since the first competition.
“Pushing them wasn’t easy and it isn’t going to be any easier in the future, but fortunately for me, the team knows that performing with confidence in front of an enormous crowd will be exhilarating and rewarding,” Peter Kang, senior co-captain of All-Male said.
Following their winning streak, the team also placed at Sonora Cal Performing Arts Competition last Saturday. Senior Stephanie Ung won second place for Senior Solo and Small Dance and All Male placed first for their respective catagories. Co-ed hip hop also placed third.
