Knightly News

In a mirrored studio within the Visual & Performing Arts Center, a community pirouettes and pivots. The students are passionate about movement and the opportunity to express themselves. They are the Episcopal dancers.

Dance at Episcopal takes many forms, including Dance Ensemble, Dance Masters Seminar, Dance Team and Middle and Upper School dance classes. Some students have danced since they could walk, while others are curious about the art form for the first time. What’s common among them is the support they provide each other and the community that has developed.

“I feel like that’s the most I’ve seen of you, and I really, really liked it.” “I love that you always travel the floor.” “Good job with the floor work.”

After members of the Dance Masters Seminar class perform portions of pieces they’ve spent hours choreographing, dance teacher Christine Chrest and students share positive feedback. “This is the most positive environment on campus,” says junior Caroline Waters, and her fellow dancers agree. Junior Laura Jane Kirkpatrick points out that no one thinks about whether a dancer made a mistake. The dancers are simply united through a shared love of dance. The dancers all agree that performing is the perfect outlet, and they appreciate the opportunity to do it together.

“We have a lot of strong dancers, and they have a lot of dance opportunities,” says longtime dance teacher Christine Chrest. Chrest loves dance as an art form and a way to create, and she finds innovative ways to help her proteges feel the same. Dance Masters Seminar challenges dancers to create a signature piece to be included in a digital portfolio that students can use to apply for dance scholarships or program admissions. Dancers also spend considerable time working on scholarship essays and preparing for their future. “They get to create,” says Chrest of the class goal. “I didn’t do that until graduate school.” Chrest says the work put into the class will ultimately serve students well during the college admissions process.

In the studio, students present pieces inspired by learning to walk, the memories created at Episcopal, the challenges of being female in a male world and more. While the school year is still new, the Dance Masters Seminar students have already created large portions of the choreography they will ultimately showcase. For some, the first brush with choreography has been a pleasant surprise. “I didn’t know I was this creative,” says senior Mary Carter. Fellow senior Anna Katherine Harrell is all smiles as she discusses the choreography experience. “I really like it,” she says while warming up on the Visual & Performing Arts Center stage. Harrell says she enjoys finding her style, and while she participates in numerous activities, dance is her favorite.

“Lights are up. Sound is on.” Before each dancer takes the studio floor, Chrest provides the cue that it is time to perform. As the music fills the room, each dancer enters the zone and shares a story through movement. Senior Alana Simon appreciates when it is her turn. “I like to put on a show,” she says with enthusiasm. There is showmanship, confidence and determination among the dancers, all traits that will serve them well in life regardless of the path they choose. No doubt, the range of Episcopal dance opportunities is a benefit as they celebrate their love of dance as a UKNIGHTED community within a community.

There are several opportunities to catch the Episcopal dancers in action throughout the fall.

Arts Fête
September 15th at 6:30 pm
This adults-only celebration of 20 years of creativity in the VPAC will feature food, beverage, live music and student performances. Enjoy the sounds of the Captain Green Band and the Episcopal select and children’s choirs, dance ensemble, drum corps and visual artists. Tickets available here. 

Matilda Jr.
November 14th – 18th

Winter Dance Concert
December 1st at 7 pm

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.