| The
St. Pius X Dance Program began in the fall of 1985 under the direction
of Lynn Fleetwood Dukes. For the first two years of her career at
St. Pius X, she taught only two classes. The curriculum consisted
of ballet and musical theater jazz, and the classes were divided
into one beginner level and one intermediate/advanced level. The
original dance classes worked only with the drama program and performed
in the musicals. In 1988, another level was established solely for
advanced dancers. Student interest continued to increase and in
1990 a fourth dance class was added. Upon Lynn’s departure in 1992,
she had developed four dance classes (1 beginner, 2 intermediate
and 1 advanced), started a visiting artist series and incorporated
her dancers into several musicals such as Oklahoma , The
Sound of Music and The Boyfriend .
Amy
Walker Koulovatos became the director in the fall of 1992. She continued
to lead the further development of the program until the spring
of 1998. Mrs. “K”, as her students called her, had a marley floor
installed in the dance room and on stage, and she became a full
time faculty member in 1993 by teaching six classes. The levels
changed to their current names of Dance I, II, III and Dance Company.
Also in 1993, the St. Pius X Dance Company was established. The
Company is comprised of the most advanced dancers in our school
community, and they must enter through an audition process. Dance
students performed in fall and spring Arts Festivals along with
other artists and performers from the theater program, the band
and the choir. Due to the increased number of students enrolled
in dance classes and tremendous support and interest from the community,
the first annual Spring Dance Concert was held in 1995.
In
the fall of 1998, Lisa Martin became the new director of the program.
She has continued to train the students in ballet and jazz. She
has also developed the curriculum to include the study of modern
dance, history, and choreography. Students are also taught a stretch
and conditioning class based on the principles of Pilates and yoga.
Ms. Martin has further developed the visiting artist series by including
master classes in ballet, jazz, modern and tap, as well as choreography
for the St. Pius X Dance Company and the Dance III class. Students
have the opportunity to work with teachers and choreographers that
are currently working in various dance schools throughout the metro
area. She has invited such notable teachers as Ruth Mitchell, Martha
Goodman, Clay McCloud, Jerylann Warner, and Peter Garick, to name
a few. The St. Pius X Dance Company members were given the opportunity
to letter in dance in 2000. The Dance Company performs in school
assemblies, Open House, Morning of the Arts , Christmas
productions, assisted living communities and local elementary schools,
and all dance classes perform in the annual Spring Dance Concert.
|