HS Dance performance marks return of in-person productions
HS Dance presented "Inure" on Thursday, April 22 on the blacktop behind the school with audience members watching in socially distant groups on the back field. Featured senior choreographers included: Serena Mukherji '21, Somya Singh '21, Erika Galli '21, and Gillian Flatt '21.
By Caren Lyons, HS Dance Teacher
On Thursday, April 22, live performance returned to 2000 Edgehill as HS Dance presented "Inure," a mixed repertory bill boasting a diverse array of dance styles including jazz, tap, modern, and lyrical, on the blacktop behind the school marking the first in-person student production since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
Through great feats of determination, discipline, and ingenuity, HS spring dance students presented an evening filled with laughter, joy, togetherness, and, of course, dance.
Dance's ability to bring people together, building cohesion and connection, was on prominent display. The impromptu rehearsal for After School students and the show's finale, which had audience members of all ages moving and shaking, were noteworthy highlights.
The showcase was the result of the evolution of a concept initiated by dancers in the fall semester. Intermediate students demonstrated their swift mastery of tap dance fundamentals, which were integrated into the curriculum this year, as well as their continued growth as artists and technicians in jazz and ballet.
Meanwhile, advance students finally had the opportunity to perform their self-choreographed pieces, presenting concepts many began to envision last spring. The production featured a special piece by MS students in Dance Teacher Marcee Murphree's class, too. Most importantly, the dancers got to return to performing in person, thereby lifting the spirits of both those on stage and those in the audience.
My deepest gratitude goes out to the dancers and the entire USN community who helped make this performance a reality. I am so excited to continue to see the growth of these students and our school's dance program.
Middle and High School Art Teacher Emily Holt will be honored with the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools’ Hubert Smothers Excellence in Teaching Award on Monday, November 9 in Memphis.
Third graders visited Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area for an immersive history lesson and guided site tour that will set the stage for this year's studies in Tennessee history and Native American history.
Middle School and High School Chinese Teacher Josephine Huang has been involved with USN as a volunteer, a parent, and a teacher. Now in her 20th year as a faculty member, Huang's innovative lessons and belief in relationships continue to instill in students a lifelong love of learning.
With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.