Meet Makenzie | 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 makenzie
Makenzie - 7th Grade
Hi, my name is Makenzie and this is my dance journey. I started to do dance when I was in 2nd grade and I did ballet and tap. It was a big part of my life until the place I danced at closed down. I didn't really do dance after that, but when I came to Dogwood I tried out for Dance Company and I made it! That was when I was in 6th grade, now I'm in 7th and still doing the thing I love because of the Company. Now dance is something I love and will do forever because I have grown with the company at Dogwood. I've met a lot of good people and choreographers that have done beautiful pieces for the company. Dance means a lot to me at the end of the day.
