By Annie Qu
Staff Writer
The crowded gym erupted with cheers as the judges announced Choreo as the competition’s Grand Champions. The seniors posed with their teammates for a photo next to their numerous trophies, overjoyed about the exciting start to their final competition season.
The Choreo seniors, Koko Kusayanagi, Joanna Liu, Hallie Lo, Vanessa Moy, Candice Peng, Malia Teets, Julia Yamasaki and Eileen Zhu, competed alongside their teammates at a SHARP International competition at Monrovia High School on Feb. 3 with the routines “He Lives In You,” “Mean Girls,” “XO,” “Saturn” and Fusion’s routine “The Dance.”
Co-captains Kusayanagi, Peng and Yoder work collectively to care for the team and its activities. They divide and conquer to make sure that the team is supported and makes progress in their routines and the production of future shows. The Co-captains ensure that they effectively lead the team by prioritizing communication, establishing a system, offering their strengths and considering the unique skills that the different team members bring to the table.
Additionally, Choreo’s annual Dance Concert was on Jan. 26. Aside from their other numbers, the seniors also stepped onto the stage of the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse to perform their routine, titled “Who You Are.” The stage lights dimly lit their orange costumes as a video dedicated to the seniors projected on the backdrop behind them.
Outside of Choreo, the seniors are involved in Brighter Side, Colorguard, Pep, studio dance and the musical.
“I was inspired to join Choreo because I watched them my sophomore and junior year and thought they were cool,” Zhu said. “I also like to dance, and since Choreo’s focus is dance I wanted to audition.”
The seniors have shared many memorable moments, such as Choreo bonding, Dance Concert and late night practices. Other events that Choreo participates in throughout the year include lunchtime activities, competitions and their Choreo Showcase.
“Seeing each other at the first audition was only the first of many bonding moments to come,” Yoder said. “Our excitement was a true testament of what the performing arts environment of Temple City brings for Choreo and the other dance teams of the district.”
A few seniors have plans to further their dance careers after high school. Yoder plans to keep dancing after she graduates, either by being part of the adult dance team at her studio, Elements Dance Space, or by being on the L.A. Rams cheerleaders. Peng wants to continue dancing and choreographing.
“I feel like dance is like no other form of communication,” Peng said. “It’s its own language beyond words because of things you can convey to other people without having to say anything.”