From September to February, about 70 dancers in Naperville North’s performative dance group, Orchesis, work to prepare for their show while having fun and creating new relationships. In this year’s show, the dances feature a variety of pop songs including “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo and “Riptide” by Vance Joy. It also features dance styles like tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, partner and contemporary dances.
Addy Doxey, a freshman, explained the environment at Orchesis and how her peers have helped at North.
Orchesis is completely student-choreographed. It involves a lot of collaboration to create dances that showcase fun and creativity. Of the members who grew up with a dance background, many have never choreographed a dance before. It adds a new, exciting aspect to the sport for the dancers, allowing them to experiment with new dancing styles.
JULIA SPRINGER (11): “I have never choreographed a dance before Orchesis and I’m not very good at it but having Tess by my side to help choreograph with me is extremely helpful.”
ELIZA BLACK (12): “It is so cool to have an idea for something and be able to create it yourself and have others execute it.”
GINA MARTIN (12): “I get to use everything I’ve learned throughout my years as a dancer and find different songs and movements that go together. It’s definitely let me have a creative outlet."
Picture: Tess Mally, Maddie Santucci
Although it has a female majority, Orchesis also provides a unique opportunity for boys. Junior and Senior boys are able to join Orchesis to become “Orchebros” and participate in the couples and lift dances. These dances give boys the opportunity to learn something new through dancing. The couples dance features the classic boys kickline and the lift dance features impressive synchronized lift sequences.
Bill Zheng, a senior, explained why he wanted to join Orchesis for his final year at North.
What is your favorite number to perform in this year's show?
DOXEY: “I like to perform Hallee’s dance, “Don’t Blame Me”. It was the first dance I started learning and I love Taylor Swift.”
BLACK: “I really like the lift dance with the boys. It’s kind of scary, but it’s really fun and exciting when it works.”
WILLOW NAGAI (12): “My own dance or Isabel, Bibiane, and Kelly’s dance. I’m a contemporary person so anything that’s lyrical or contemporary are my favourite dances to perform in.”
MARTIN: “The one that I choreographed with Maddie Santucci and Sarah Wirsing. We all did it together and it was really fun to collaborate and it’s fun to perform my own choreography.”
Picture: Orla Conneely
Another unique trait about Orchesis is that it is a non-competitive, no-cut club. No matter your experience with dance over the years, you are able to meet new people and improve as a dancer. Orchesis has three different levels of groups to ensure that you’re dancing at your own level in a fun and inclusive environment. This environment has provided opportunities for both competitive dancers and new dancers to feel safe. Many dancers have said this environment is one of the reasons they love Orchesis.
ADAMS: “Someone who's never danced a day in their life get[s] to be in a show with something they learned how to do. Then you have dancers who have been dancing since they were born and they get to show off their skills, grow and meet new people.”
REMI DUNLAP (orchesis sponsor): “The goal of Orchesis is to provide a fun and inclusive environment for all individuals who want to participate. We have about 70 members who have shown their dedication and passion for Orchesis.”
MARTIN: “Coming from always being a competitive dancer and then having an injury, I wanted something that was a little more inclusive and accepted people of all different levels of dance… Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the inclusivity of it. It’s super accepting and supportive of everyone.”
NAGAI: “Orchesis doesn’t cut anyone and it’s non competitive and that was the environment I was looking for. Something that was super welcoming and super chill but you’re able to express your creativity.”
Picture: Gina Martin
Orchesis will perform their last shows, The Orchesis Hot 100, for the 21-22 season on Feb. 11 and 12 at 7pm. If you’re interested in learning more about Orchesis or any other unique clubs found at North, check out the student activities page found on the NNHS homepage.
“Orchesis is my second family. There’s a lot of communities at North that I’m a part of but Orchesis has always felt like the place where I can be myself. That’s been really positive and uplifting for me because I don’t feel like I have to be anyone different. I never feel like I have to be the best in the room,” Nagai said.