Meet Binford | Year Four | Special Feature

Meet Binford Dance Company | Year Four

Special Feature

The Binford Dance Company was established in 2016. It is an audition-based student dance company from Binford Middle School, an arts integrated school located in Richmond, VA. Company members study Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Improvisation, and Composition within the Binford dance program. The company has performed throughout the community including: The 2019 Superintendent’s State of the Schools Address, Generation Dream, Richmond Public Schools Fine Arts Festival, Strawberry Street Festival, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, Petersburg Home for Ladies, and Cedarfield Retirement Community. The company also had the opportunity to perform in the music videos “Have It All” and “Love Is Still The Answer” by Jason Mraz. The Binford Dance Company inspires students to find their own voice through performance and choreography while learning valuable skills in the rehearsal process including collaboration, respect, and confidence.

---

This year’s theme was EARTH

Each dancer chose an earth element and incorporated it into their portraits.

---

Meet Aaliyah - 8th Grade

I feel like many downplay dance like it’s “easy.” People said it’s simple and that anyone can do it. Although it is true anyone can do it, it takes a certain amount of dedication. I can’t count the amount of late night practices, sprained ankles, and sore arms I have been through in my dance career. I have been practicing the craft for about 5 years and it has been one crazy ride. Although I loved it very much, this ride was at its downfall during the summer.

Since quarantine hit, I haven’t been able to get into the dance studio. For a while, I didn’t dance. I tried to do things to get me motivated to dance. For example, I would workout and stretch with friends but it just wouldn’t work. I was losing interest at an alarming rate. But when school started, everything changed.

I was immediately put into the dance company. And overall, it increased my love of dance I had lost over quarantine. I started choreographing, and I even applied for Appomattox Regional Governor's School for Dance and got in. Even though I turned down the offer, my love of dance and performing hasn’t stopped and, with help of Ms. Perkinson, will continue on for years to come.

All in all, I’m glad I stuck with dance. I have found so many friends through this community. It has helped me express myself. Being able to perform this art style and make people smile through it is what keeps me dancing. Thanks to everyone who supported me and I hope to keep this ride going.

---

Meet Aleah | 7th Grade

My name is Aleah and I have been dancing for a very long time. Dance has always been my number one passion. I have many hobbies but dance is my favorite thing out of all of them. Growing up, hearing a song or just being happy, I danced, even now. If I hear a song or I hear instruments playing, something in my body tells me to get up and dance whether it is just my feet, my arms, or my whole body. Last year in dance company right as the Coronavirus started affecting where I lived and went to school, we had performances coming up and had pieces that had never been shown to anyone. That was when school shut down and I was in quarantine. A whole year has flown by, no sports, no after school activities, but the one thing that stayed with me was dance. Once I heard that I was staying in the dance company for this school year I was so happy. Being inside a house all day where I couldn't see my friends and family, I was happy that dance stood by my side. I am so grateful for the dance company. Dance was the only time I could see my friends in person for a photoshoot or a video shoot even if we were at a 6 foot distance. 

For the photoshoot this year, I chose water as my element. I chose water mainly because I love to swim and I love the ocean but also because there are so many 

options to explore. I used an umbrella and actually used water instead of being water. This year, I am a student choreographer and I have choreographed such a beautiful dance that I am so proud to show with my cast. I am not new to choreography but I definitely had a lot of fun working with my cast and I am absolutely so proud of how we worked together to create the dance. If I had one word to describe dance it would probably be expressing, because through dance I can express myself and everything else

---

Meet Amaya | 7th grade

Poem: 

Bright lights 

Bright lights 

Filling the empty space 

Around me 

Heart beating 

Music starts 

Stillness vanishes 

I leap and soar through the air 

My pirouette sharp and piercing 

The movement makes me forget 

Everything I know and love 

Time stops 

It's only me 

My body drops and is a silent silhouette 

Created by the bright lights 

I add my own life 

To the choreography 

I dive into the world of dance 

A tree, made of wood 

Rooted but tall 

Branches, twisting and tangling 

Leaves, allowing us to breathe 

Me, my bones holding me steady 

Fingers, hands, arms 

All of me, reaching for the bright lights

---

Meet Araya | 7th Grade

---

I started dancing when I was two years old but I only danced for a year. I did other things like modeling, gymnastics, and karate until I was 8. That’s when I started praise dancing for my church. My praise dance instructor wanted me to dance in one of her recitals. I was really nervous but excited. My best friend, that I knew since we were little, was also asked to participate. So we did it together. The following year, my instructor decided to open her own studio which I went to with my best friend. After almost 3 years of dancing, I moved and I stopped dancing. When I moved to Richmond I played basketball but something was missing; dance. The pandemic happened and I decided to take virtual dance classes over the summer. I fell in love with dance again. My mom found a studio called Grace Arts and I have been dancing there since September.

---

Meet Becca | 7th grade

I started really getting into dance this year but since I was three, I have been doing little dance classes every once in a while. My first dance class was relaxed. We pretty much just leaped around to music in leotards. My next dance experience was with Minds in Motion in the fourth grade. I loved it so much that I wanted to do the Minds in Motion summer camp and have wanted to find a type of dance like it ever since. I see dance as a way to show my style and express myself, but also as a way to just let go and get my energy out! Once I got into the dance company at Binford I found a new love and began dancing all around the house! My element was metal. I don’t resonate with metal that much although I liked the idea of using lights somehow and then I thought “metal equals sparks!” so I went with it! It has definitely been a weird year dancing through a computer screen, while only seeing each other a few times in person and because this is my first year being in the dance company I’m soaking up every moment I can. I’m very grateful for this experience and so excited to explore more through dance!

---

meet Mackenzie | 6th grade

My dance journey was that I needed some way I could express myself in a way that other people could understand and react to. Dance to me means a way to express my feelings and find a way to put my emotions into actions. Choreography means to practice someone else's idea of how the dance should be. I like to see other people’s ideas.The water element I like because water is free and it has its ups and downs. I feel that both me and water are not always still and yes we can cause problems but we always go back to where we came from.

---

meet Carolyn | 6th grade

My dance background is slightly less traditional than some. I have been dancing ever since I was little. I always loved to dance and move, but mostly it was being on stage. When I was little I took a ballet class and a musical theatre class. One of my favorite and proudest moments in dance was when I was chosen to represent my elementary school in a ballroom dancing competition, in which we placed first.  I didn’t like being told how to dance, but now I know that through others' creativity many more dances can be created. I really like when I get to create my own dances. For me it is a way to show my imagination and be active. To me it feels natural to be dancing. 

The element I chose was fire. I think fire suits me well because of my fiery spirit. I love how fire changes its shape. It’s almost like it is dancing. Fire is so free-spirited, just like me. I couldn’t think of a better element that describes me. 

Dance has become even more important to me over this past year. Joining and becoming part of the Binford Dance Company has been a really great experience in this time of mask wearing and social distancing. In spite of starting a brand new school at which I knew no one, the Binford Dance Company has been an amazing way for me to connect with others who share the same love and passion for dance! 

---

meet iana | 7th grade

Hi! My name is Iana Robinson and I am a dancer at Binford Middle School. Dance has always been, and always will be, a huge part of my life. It has been a part of my life for a very very long time. I started dancing around 3 years old. I've always found joy in just being able to move freely and express myself however I want. The past few years have been a huge growth for me, I've found that spark that inspires me to keep dancing and want to keep improving. Conversely it's been very hard to keep going, even today. There was just a lot of self doubt that I had to overcome before I found who I was and I had a huge awakening in my life. That is one of the reasons I chose metal as my element. It's tough and sturdy yet it can be very durable in various situations. I care greatly about our environment and I see the good in metal. It can either be the thing that saves or destroys our environment and I want to focus and show the good it provides. We only get one planet and one life and I want to do good for the future of our planet. Substantially I wanted to show that metal can do good to our environment. We just need to find a nice, sturdy, advantageous way to do it.

---

meet Ivey | 7th grade

This is my second year with the Binford Dance Company. Even though we are not physically in the dance studio, the BDC hasn’t stopped dancing. Dance is still my happy place, something I look forward to at the end of each day. The BDC has taught me that dance is a way to express and learn more about myself which has been so important during this pandemic.  

This year I am a student choreographer which is something I have really enjoyed. When I’m not dancing, I’m on the lacrosse field. Lacrosse and dance compliment each other and support me in being a better dancer and lacrosse player.   

BDC may be virtual but we have remained a team for over a year and I can’t wait to get back in the studio with all of the dancers and Ms. Perkinson next year. 

---

meet i’yana | 7th grade

Hi my name is I’Yana Freeman and this is my dance story. I started dancing when I was about three years old and I instantly fell in love with it. I would dance all over the house and flip everywhere I could. When I was about five years old I started taking ballet classes but I only took them for about a month or two. I kind of took a break from dance classes for a while and just decided to do it for fun whether it was talent shows or plays, anywhere I could show my talent. When I was in fourth grade I started to take more dance classes but they were hip hop classes which I really enjoyed. Hip hop is one of my favorite dance styles. When I would do talent shows I usually would do modern, contemporary, or lyrical. When I was in 5th grade I started thinking about middle school and what school I wanted to go to that showcased a kid's talent, whether it was theater, music, dance, etc.  

I found out about Binford and I knew immediately that I wanted to go to that school. I was put on the waitlist for Binford for a while and slowly moved down. I was shaking thinking I wasn’t going to get in but I did and that was really exciting. When I first got to Binford I didn't know that they had a dance company. I just knew that they liked to showcase kid’s art and talent so when I found out about the Binford Dance Company (BDC) I wanted to join immediately. When I first auditioned for BDC I was nervous because everyone in the room was so talented and the moves were more modern/contemporary which I love to do for fun but never took it professionally so I was really nervous thinking that I wasn't going to get in. When I found out I got into BDC I was super excited but also really nervous because I was one of the only people in the dance company who didn't take dance classes or wasn't on another dance team. I was always really shy so being able to dance would allow me to be free and share my emotions without speaking. Getting into BDC was one of the most happiest moments because I not only got to be part of a wonderful team but I also got to share different stories and make new friends with people who share the same dreams with me. After school closed because of covid-19 I became sad and unmotivated to do stuff that I used to love doing and one of those things happened to be dance. I guess that was because I found somewhere where I could be free and still be able to learn but then that all went away. I'm still trying to find motivation to do dance but still being able to take dance through online school is helping a lot. It is really difficult but I know that I can push through and succeed.  

When we started talking about guest choreographers I was excited because last year's guest choreographer’s piece was amazing and I was excited to see what came with this year's. I was also super excited for student choreographers and I'm happy that I get to be one. Being a student choreographer is really special to me because I like being a leader but I also like being a friend, so being able to teach people new things about dance and about me is really nice. They can connect with me on dance and other things like school and home life which I really love. I was nervous to become a student choreographer because I'm still learning new things about dance and I was scared that I wasn't ready but I knew that I could take on the challenge and it's going very well. I love being a student choreographer and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love dancing and that's never going to change. I love learning about it. I love connecting with people about it. I love being able to express myself without having to put it into words, which I struggle with, but with dance I can just leave it all out on the floor and tell a story. In the future I would love to pursue a career in dance and I will continue to learn about it as I grow. I would like to thank Ms. Perkinson for believing in me and teaching me new things about dance, I really appreciate it so thank you. I'm never going to stop learning.  I'm never going to stop dancing. I'm never going to stop loving what I do. I'm also going to never stop going after what I want. 

---

meet kamini | 8th grade

Since this is my last year at Binford, I'm focusing on reflection. Reflecting on how much these past 3 years have changed how I view dance as a creative outlet. My first year of dance I wasn’t all too great, but that’s when I had the most fun. I started back dancing because I enjoyed it. I didn’t worry about how I looked. I just danced. With Binford I got to meet new dancers and perform with them. Dance meant having fun to me, being carefree and in that moment. 

Then seventh grade year came around. I was determined to improve, coming back after summer break with a fire in me, but unfortunately that was when we had to go into lockdown. Lockdown affected me greatly, originally I saw this as an opportunity to train all day. But I saw people online being more productive than me and further ahead in their journey to improve. I lost motivation, I thought that there was no point since I would never be like the people I saw online. 

In addition, having to take dance classes through zoom just didn’t feel the same. Having the lack of space in my bedroom as well as having to look at my teachers through a screen, it just didn’t feel the same. Dance began to feel like a chore more than something fun. It lost what I fell in love with. 

Now I'm in my last year. Getting back into the studio helped a lot, but I’m still trying to find what dance means to me. Sometimes I still compare myself to people online, some who’ve used quarantine to grow stronger, but I can’t change the past. I'm focusing on gaining back my passion for dance, not so much worrying about the technical aspect, or how good I am for my age or how much better people are than me. 

These past three years have changed me a lot. From moving in person to on a screen, I'm thankful for the chances I have to connect with my peers or be in the studio. Although I may still have my hard days, this experience has led me to be able to see dance from a different perspective. I'm learning to love the journey, and not just stress over the future when I'll eventually be stronger. I'm striving to grow while enjoying the process. I’m focusing on me and not what everyone else can do in comparison. I’m finding what dance means to me. 

---

meet kalyse | 8th grade

I have been dancing for 3 years now and there have been some ups and downs. At the beginning I would eat, breathe, and sleep dance. I would come home from school and spend hours in my room working on some different dance moves or making a new dance. That's how much I was devoted to dance but then I started to dance less and less and it's not because I overworked myself, it was because I compared myself to other dancers and how I could never dance like them. However, now I know that everyone has their own style of dance and you don’t have to be like everyone else, so I started to dance again. Even though my journey was full with ups and downs I became stronger and that's why I chose the element metal because it's strong like me. Not just as a dancer but also as a person.

---

meet ruby | 6th grade

I started dancing when I was 4. The first dance styles I learned were ballet and tap. I really didn’t like either of them, but tried my best to learn more about the styles. Whenever I danced I doubted myself, but as I danced I got better. I love to dance, but a lot of the time new dances are hard for me to learn. So I took a little break. 

A few years later, I started to dance again. I started hip hop and modern dance. I enjoyed both, but I especially liked hip hop! Hip Hop was such a fun dance to learn. But most importantly I felt like I could be myself when dancing it. I loved the movement and the style in general.  

After that I started jazz and continued hip hop. Jazz was really fun and upbeat. I learned so many more moves and liked the style. Hip hop was fun as always! That year was the year I started to appreciate dance and I also learned what it had done for me.  

Dance is like a ladder, at least for me, as you make progress you find you enjoy it more and because of that, now I’m here! Something I’ve always loved about dance is the choreography, the movement ties everything together. Choreography is my favorite part about dance! As it ties the story together, you learn more and more. In dance I prefer dancing by myself, but at the same time I love working with others!!  

 In the recent photoshoot for Binford Dance Company, my element was wood. At first I wasn’t too sure but after I got to the farm, I was extremely happy to have wood as my element. Wood is also kind of like me. On the outside I kind of look awkward and stiff, but on the inside I'm silly and bubbly, kind of like a tree. Also a tree has very different pieces of bark on it, and I have many little secrets about myself. The shape of a tree is very unique and I’m pretty unique too!  

 Now I am 11 (almost 12) and dance is pretty much a part of me! I love dancing in the Binford Dance Company. All those years of dancing paid off! I’m proud of how far I’ve come! And I hope to continue dancing in the future. 

---

meet selma | 6th grade

I grew up performing on stage and taking ballet classes, but only in recent years have I experienced different types of dance such as theatre, tap, and modern. When I am dancing, it’s as if the rest of the world is gone, and it’s just me and the music. Dance is a very special part of my life, and it allows me to put all of my energy into being active. I love how in dance there is always something new you can try. Every style and way of dancing is unique.  

I enjoy learning new dances and I have loved learning about my peers through their choreography during virtual school! Choreography is a way of crafting a story and that's what's so special about it. Everyone's choreography is different because they bring their life experiences and culture into the dance. Because of the pandemic and BLM protests that have happened in the world over the past year, I think dance has become even more special to me because all of my feelings could be released by dancing. Being in the Binford Dance Company has helped me realize what it's like to be in a group of people who share a passion for dance and I am so grateful that I get to be a part of this team!  

---

meet Sierra | 7th grade

I have been in the Binford Dance Company for two years now and this year I got the opportunity to be a student choreographer. As a choreographer I enjoy teaching and observing my group of four as they learn the dance I created. Binford Dance Company has been very different this year because of virtual school. We worked around being on screens for school and still came out of this year dancing. I chose water for my element because water is graceful and peaceful but water can also be dangerous and powerful. These are the emotions I like to express through dancing. I relate dance and water because ever since I was little I have had a connection with the ocean. Every summer I go to the beach at least three times and look forward to it. Dance is also something I have always had a connection with and as I have gotten to go to the beach more I have had opportunities to dance on the beach! Dance and the beach will always be a part of my life.“Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free” ~Christy Ann Martine

---

meet threvia | 8th grade

I first started dancing when I was 3 years old. I began with ballet and then I moved to jazz and I have been dancing ever since. Dance is a way to express your feelings or to express art. Dance comes with a lot of emotions and it's like telling a story without words. I am new to Binford so it was a big change for me. I tried out for the dance company and I was so excited when I was accepted onto the team. It kind of sucks because I'm in 8th grade and I only get 1 year with the company but I am so glad I have the honor to bring all of the new moves and choreography tips I have learned over the school year with me into high school. I picked fire as my element because fire is very powerful and I also chose rose petals and the vibrant colors to represent me. At times I can be very shy so when a rose starts growing it starts off as a bud but then it blooms into a beautiful rose when it is taken care of. So I like to think of myself as a rose when it comes to dance. I have learned a lot and I have bloomed as a dancer. I chose the vibrant colors because I would say I have a vibrant type of energy. I like to go out and have fun with my friends and family. That is why I chose the fire element, the flowers, and the vibrant colors. I can’t wait to start high school and share what I have learned.

---

meet trinity | 6th grade

I took my first dance class when I was 3 years old. I took a jazz/hip hop class when I was in first grade and I loved it. When I was in 2nd grade my brother started Minds in Motion and he would show my family the dance every day and would constantly be doing it. Because I saw him do it everyday, I started to learn the dance and really loved it. I looked forward to being able to do it when I went into 4th grade. It was like a dream come true getting to do a dance class instead of regular school work.

I got into Team XL and felt great. My goal after that was to get into Ambassadors, the next level of Minds in Motion. I practiced the audition dance whenever I had the chance and when the audition came I thought I had done a great job. A few weeks later my mom told me I did not get in. I started to doubt myself as a dancer. I thought that I was not a good dancer and every compliment people had said about my dancing was untrue. I then took a theatre dance class because I was told it was similar to Minds in Motion (it was not). I didn't really like that class because it was not the type of dance I enjoyed and it took the fun out of it for me. Then covid came and I started to dance in my yard a lot the way I wanted to. I got to add in gymnastics moves and had a lot more fun. My goal for 6th grade was to get into the dance company and here I am. My element relates to me because I love to be in nature. I love to dance and just be outside in general. I enjoy being able to throw my shoes off and do a cartwheel in the grass, that is what makes me happy.