Meet Makenzie | Binford Dance Company Feature | Year Six
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 met at the VMFA and chose their favorite spots to showcase their movement and choreography they have learned through this year’s dance curriculum.
MEET makenzie
MAKENZIE - 6th grade
Hi my name is Makenzie and this is my dance journey . I have been dancing since I was 7, specifically ballet and tap. I always thought that I was not a dancer and then I took one class and said this is what I want to do. Dance means the world to me and I love how it makes me feel. When I’m dancing, I feel like I can express myself and enjoy myself. I also feel happy and joyful when I dance but I can express myself as sad and scared and much much more. I love dancing so much because I can also find new friends and good bonds with people who you can trust. I am only in sixth grade so I hope to grow with the Binford Dance Company. I really love to choreograph dances and work with improvisation. I enjoy hip-hop and jazz and just doing dance in general. I love being taught by Ms. Perkinson. She is the reason why I’m in the Binford Dance Company and I appreciate her a lot. She is helping the dance company grow so much and I’m so excited to try out again next year.
