Dance Auditions Complete, Guest Artists Selected

Middle and Upper School Dance Ensembles completed auditions this week. Dancers will perform in ESJ’s annual dance concert in February, with choreography by select guest artists. Dancers have grown all summer by participating in various dance programs. Elizabeth Stovall ’25 was able to participate in several summer intensives, including with the Florida Ballet, Oklahoma City University, and the Dancemakers, Inc. Nationals. She had the privilege of assisting Tommy Alexander, faculty for Dancemakers and an upcoming ESJ guest artist, at one of the sessions.

“We are excited that Alexander will be a guest artist at ESJ in September working with our Dance Ensemble,” said Dawn Maldonado, Director of Dance. “While the summer seems to pass quickly, investing in dance education during this time is extremely beneficial to our dancers’ growth. I am grateful to teach students who value their craft enough to spend their summer continuing to learn and excel, and be invited to do so at prestigious programs across the country.”

Alina Pajcic ’25 participated in the Gus Giordano Dance School Jazz Intensive based in Chicago, Illinois, where she was able to study the “Godfather of Jazz Dance” signature choreography. Mattie Sacks ’27 was selected for the Miami City Ballet, an audition-only five-week training program. Blaire Massey ’27 spent her summer at the Orlando Ballet summer intensive.