Meet Khi | Dogwood Dance Company Feature | Year Seven
This is my seventh year working with Dogwood’s Dance Company and showcasing their talents through my camera. It has been such an honor getting to know so many dancers over the years, As a former middle school teacher I love this age and it fills my heart to get to know these dancers and work them in such a fun setting every year!
The Dogwood Dance Company was established in 2016. It is an audition-based student dance company from Dogwood 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 Dogwood 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 met at the Branch Muesuem and chose their favorite spots to showcase their movement and choreography they have learned through this year’s dance curriculum.
MEET khi
KHI - 8TH GRADE
Hey, it's me– Khi. I’ve enjoyed dancing ever since I was a toddler. I started taking dance classes really early on. Dancing is something that comes natural to me, my family does it all the time. Music and dance helped me get through a traumatic event that happened to me when I was in the third grade. To help grow and get over that, I started dancing. Dance has taught me so many things. Through dance I learned how to express myself, open up and meet new people. Being a part of the Dogwood Dance Company, I've learned leadership skills, and made friends who encouraged me and accepted me. Ms. Perkinson’s taught me how to be brave, and that it's ok to make mistakes. Learning new skills and getting to choreograph has definitely opened my eyes to a whole new world of dancing. Being able to teach others and watch them learn techniques makes you feel good as a choreographer. Because of dance, I’ve realized that dance is something that brings joy to everyone. I’m thankful to be a part of this dance community and will always remember this part of my life. I hope to continue dancing for the rest of my life and continue to teach others about the joy in dancing .
