Meet Zora | Binford Dance Company Feature | Year Five

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 the company dancers chose a word and in studio executed their word through movement, costume and set color and design.

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MEET ZORA

HOPEFUL

Zora 8th grade

I saw The Nutcracker when I was 3 years old and as soon as the curtain went up, I was hooked. I was barely able to walk but somehow I could tell that dance was something I’d enjoy throughout my life. I joined a studio shortly after that and became even more interested in performing and learning about dance. When I was six, I auditioned for The Nutcracker and miraculously got in. The joy of performing onstage was exhilarating and I couldn’t wait to do it again the next year. 

The summer I turned 11, I moved. When I first arrived in Virginia, everything was different. I was facing a new studio, new techniques, and new teachers. It was really hard at first, getting adjusted to a new environment, but I did. Eventually. Over my dance career, I’ve faced some difficulties but dance is something I really want and I will continue that journey through high school. 

It's my last year, 8th grade, and I feel really hopeful about the future. Being with Dance Company has been fantastic, one of the best things about Binford. Everyone is working and creating. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by a great group of dancers and choreographers. They have made me a better dancer and I’m eternally grateful for it.