Meredith Holds Annual High School Day of Dance

The Meredith College Dance Program welcomed hundreds of local dancers to campus for its annual High School Day of Dance on Friday, November 8, 2024.

With 475 students from 26 area schools, this was the largest High School Day of Dance yet. 

Assistant Professor of Dance Courtney White helps to organize this event, which allows participants to share, learn, and celebrate dance.

“Our motto is ‘We Dance Here.’ In Meredith’s dance program students are a part of a collaborative environment where they explore artistic, technical, and creative expression,” White said. “High School Day of Dance is an extension of our mission.”

High school students took classes from faculty, alumnae, and community members during the event. Class options included musical theater, jazz, improvisation, yoga, contemporary ballet, hip hop, and contemporary dance. Meredith students performed a tap piece choreographed by alumna Sydney Potter, ’22, one of the high school teachers in attendance. In addition, 16 schools brought dances to perform during the event’s informal showing.

Another special option was a community class by the prestigious American Dance Festival (ADF). Students attending this class had the option to audition for scholarships to ADF’s Pre-Professional Summer Dance Intensive.

High School Day of Dance also supports recruitment at Meredith. 

“Many of our current students attended High School Day of Dance,” White said. “This year Associate Director of Admissions Hannah Guemple, ’19, spoke to the students about attending Meredith and set up a special admissions table for prospective students to visit.” 

Support from Current Students
White said current Meredith dance students are essential to the success of High School Day of Dance.

“The Meredith Dance community is what makes this event possible. They assist in planning, act as class monitors/assistants, help students navigate from class to class, and of course, clean up,” White said. “Without them, the event would not be possible. They do a wonderful job answering questions and love showing others what dance is like here at Meredith.”

Celebrating Meredith Dance Theatre’s 40th Anniversary
Meredith Dance Theatre (MDT) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In honor of this milestone, Professor of Dance Carol Finley and White taught a contemporary-modern class to all of the participants. 

“The class was designed for students to experience what a typical company class would look and feel like if they were a student here,” White said. “Several of the public school teachers are alumnae of the program and many of them took class with us to celebrate.”

Meredith Dance Theatre will be in concert the weekend of November 23-24 in celebration of its 40th anniversary. MDT will perform contemporary modern dance works by Assistant Professor Courtney White, Guest Artist and Adjunct Shadidja (Slim) Parker, and student choreographers. 

Show times are Saturday, November 23, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 24 at 2 p.m. in Jones Auditorium. Admission is free and a live stream will be available.

• MDT Saturday Evening Show Livestream
• MDT Sunday Afternoon Show Livestream

Also in concert this weekend is Meredith Jazz and Tap Company with appearances by Fierce International Rhythmic Experience (FIRE), MereCo Cloggers, and the Meredith College Dance Crew with choreography by Assistant Professor Eleanor Smith, Alumna Sydney Potter, and students. 

Show times are Friday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 23 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and a live stream will be available.

• MJTCo Friday Evening Show Livestream
• MJTCo Saturday Afternoon Show

Photos courtesy Sydney Nelson, ’25