Dance Team Presents Its Annual Spring Showcase

The showcase featured a variety of performances and the announcement of the new dance team name.

The new and former members of the Mississippi College Dance Team along with several other performers present their annual dance showcase in swor auditorium.

The Mississippi College (MC) Dance Team hosted their annual Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 6 in Swor Auditorium The showcase included group performances from the team and other local dance groups, solo and trio performances from MC dance team members, and choral performances from local high schools.

The showcase began with a warm welcome from emcee Cameryn Johnson and a prayer led by MC dance mom Laketha Berry. The first performance was a jazz routine to the popular pop song “Handclap.” Most of the dance team’s performances during the program were choreographed by undergraduate coach Katherine Hammons. 

The Richland Rangerettes from Richland High School performed a hip-hop routine with choreography from the Universal Dance Association (UDA). They performed three times over the course of the night. Pure Energy Dance, a recreational elementary dance group at First Presbyterian Day School in Jackson, MS, performed with the help of Anna Grace Brister. Brister, who is also an MC Dance Team co-captain, is the director of Pure Energy and choreographed the showcase dance. 

“In Pure Energy, I aim to teach dance with a Christian perspective, as well as give students the foundation and fundamentals needed to pursue future dance endeavors,” Brister said. “They have worked hard all school year, so I was very proud of their performance and appreciative that they had fun!”

MC Dance Team’s captain, Alana Latorre, performed a lyrical solo. The performance was emotional for the senior team member. “Being the captain of the dance team was an amazing experience,” Latorre commented. “I got to know and bond with each member and I also got to choreograph dances with everyone over something we all love: dance.”

Other dancers from MC Dance in feature performances included Makhali Berry, Anna Grace Brister, and Ashley Blackburn. 

“Being on the dance team this semester has provided me with a great opportunity to make new friends and work on my craft,” Berry reflected. “My passion for the art of dance has grown since I joined this team, and I’m so excited for the things we’ll accomplish for seasons to come.”

“I use dance as a medium of self-expression, a creative outlet, and a way to glorify God, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to have a dance team here at MC,” Brister commented. “I have been on the team for 2 years and can say with full confidence that my experience has been a rewarding one.”

The night featured many other special performances. Two choirs performed over the course of the night: Murrah High School Choir, directed by Jeremy Jernigan, and Callaway High School Choir, directed by Jamie Jones. “Daddy & Daughter” duo Sirdonta and Savannah Washington danced next in a heartfelt number. The Washingtons are husband and daughter, respectively, to MC’s head dance coach, Cherieda Washington. The Mississippi College dance team also performed a dance tribute to the former sponsor of the team, Dr. Hope Tipton. 

The showcase included touching moments and highlighted local talent, but it also launched a new era for Mississippi College dance. At the end of the program, Emcee Cameryn Johnson introduced the new members of the 2024-2025 Essence Dance Team – the new name of MC’s dance team.

“I wanted a name that encapsulates the true meaning of our team’s artistic expression and unity,” Coach Washington explained. “According to the dictionary, ‘Essence’ is defined as ‘the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.’ The word ‘essence’ encapsulates the very soul and spirit of what Mississippi College stands for.”

Coach Washington closed the night by thanking all those who attended the event and presented awards to the dancers. Washington recognized undergraduate coach Katherine Hammons for her contribution to the dance team, as well as co-captains Brister and Latorre. Washington awarded Brister and senior Haley Dobbins for their hard work and dedication.

Pictured are the awardees, from left to right: Ms. Katherine Hammons, Dance Captain Alana Latorre, Dance co-captain Anna Grace Brister, Senior Haley Nevels, and Emcee Camryn Johnson.

The event concluded with a final performance of the Mississippi College Fight Song, performed by new and old members of MC’s dance team. “We are hoping to have some big things in store for the 2024-2025 season,” Brister said. “We are going to welcome some exciting new faces, as well as returning members, that make up a dynamic team with a new signature.”