The dance ensemble of Saint John’s School of the Arts (SOTA), ranging in age from three years to adult, will present their Annual Spring Performance at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019. The event will be held in the auditorium of the Williamsport Area High School and features 23 numbers involving 165 dancers, representing 11 different classes.

Highlights of the afternoon’s performance include “senior recognition dances” in which students who are graduating from the School of the Arts dance ensemble are featured, and each graduate shares in the creative process of selecting their music, dancers, and choreography. Graduating dancers are Ellie Boring, Emma Boyer, Veronica Bubb, Kayla Clark, Daniel Hess, Mieren Kendall, Julia Kiessling, Sarah Niklaus, Abigail Terwilliger, Emilie Tupper. Many have danced with the School of the Arts for more than a decade.

This year’s program will open with a piece with dancers dressed in regular, everyday clothes, this represents that costumes are not who we are, but our identity is in Christ. All other pieces will include an array of bright, beautiful costumes and engaging props. We Dance for Him has been the motto of the dance ensemble since the school was founded.

Students from the following classes will also perform: Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I, Ballet II, Ballet III, Home-Schooled Ballet I, Home-Schooled Ballet II, Modern I, Modern II and Pointe. This year’s program will include an assortment of props, banners, lighting, and creative use of the stage and seating area for its presentation. The School’s Dance Ensemble recently performed The Nutcracker Ballet in collaboration with the Lycoming College Wind Ensemble and the Williamsport Community Arts Center. They have also performed with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and Williamsport Youth Symphony.

The program promises to be an afternoon of uplifting, affirming, and inspiring choreography, music, and costumes; a very positive, family-friendly experience! The public is encouraged to attend; tickets are $5.00 per person, payable at the door (children 5 and under are free).

Saint John’s School of the Arts was founded in 1996 and currently has over 215 students enrolled in its spring semester. It offers children, youth, and adults in the greater Williamsport area private and class instruction in music, dance, and the fine arts. It is located at 2101 Newberry Street, Williamsport, in the Saint John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church. Registration for the summer semester is currently underway. For more information, call 570-327-5575 or email sota@stjnumc.com.