Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of listening in on a conversation between Melissa Sallée, artistic director of the Naperville Park District’s Concert Dance Ensemble (CDE), and one of her graduating seniors, Michelle Senger.  Michelle has been a member of the Ensemble for 6 years, choosing to continue even through the busy years of high school.

From the conversation I gathered that Michelle was attracted to the artistic expression of emotions that dance provides.  When Melissa asked Michelle, “What do you like about dance?”  Michelle responded, “It’s a form of expression; it’s a powerful art form…you can see the dancers’ emotions.” 

Melissa, in her role as Michelle’s teacher and director over several years, was able to see Michelle’s growth in her understanding of dance as an art form.  Melissa proudly told Michelle, “You are an artist.  You found your voice.”

Going hand in hand with the expressive aspect of dance is the social aspect, which also is what made the Concert Dance Ensemble a unique and important part of Michelle’s life as a high school student.

Michelle said it this way, “In CDE, you really are friends. You can’t not be friends.  We are all very different—there are students from 8^th to 12^th grade; all 20 are really good friends and care about each other.  We have a common bond: dancing together.  It’s a whole different connection.”

Michelle and Melissa gave a couple of examples of the dancers’ experiences working together and forging the bond of friendship through artistic expression.  One example was the Concert Dance Ensemble’s performance with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra in June 2010.

The DSO performance incorporated partner dancing, with some of the choreography created by the students during rehearsals. Michelle commented,” It challenged you – knowing that if you don’t work with others, you won’t be successful.  You had to find a way to incorporate others’ ideas.”

Another example was the Ensemble’s performance of one of their favorite pieces, “Hide and Seek,” choreographed by Melissa Sallée. The theme of the piece was to illustrate the intentional and unintentional impact we have on each other. Over the course of learning and performing the piece, Melissa explained, “The girls gave it their all.  The piece was more intense and physically demanding than other pieces.  There was conflict and resolution, and expression through movement.” Michelle added, “You have to become comfortable with showing your emotions on the outside.  When you act angry or terrified —the dancers WERE those feelings —it felt so real.  We learned that you WILL be affected by other people.”

Sallée reflected on the time that she has had as Michelle’s dance instructor and said confidently about Michelle, “Once a dancer, always a dancer.  We worked closely together with Michelle being a mentor to younger dancers. She is an artist. I’ve had the privilege of watching Michelle and the entire company achieve artistic expression that goes beyond recreation.”

Sallée asked Michelle what she would be taking to college with her. Michelle replied, “Knowing I’ll always have dance as an outlet.  I would like to find a way to dance in college.”

 The Concert Dance Ensemble performs with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra at Central Park on June 26, 2010