Beyond the Stage: Dance Force Members’ Next Chapter

On April 27th many dance force seniors stepped onto the stage for a final performance. Here is what they have to say about their final performance at Redwood and what their future with dance will entail.

By: Sophia Rexhepi

Many tears were shed on Saturday, April 27; it was the last day for the annual Redwood Dance Show seniors. This year’s theme for the show was icons. This iconic show was some of the senior dance force members’ last time on stage ever. However, for some, it is only the beginning of their journey with dance.

Rozenthal Ramos, ’24, a 4-year Dance Force member, has been dancing for 12 years. She performed a solo to Frank Ocean’s song, “Wisemen.” This performance was very exciting and memorable for Ramos. Ramos says, “It felt so great performing because it was the last time I’m ever doing a solo. I was extremely nervous because I was dancing in front of my whole family and people from school. It was my last dance performance at Redwood… It felt surreal that my dance experience with Redwood has come to an end but it was the perfect way to end it.”

Ramos’s journey with dance doesn’t just stop at the high school level. Ramos says, “My plans for my future with dance will be trying out for the COS dance team and hopefully dancing at shows and events with that team. As well as being able to learn and experience new things as I get older.”

Piper Lambert, ’24, a 3-year Dance Force member, performed for her last time at the Dance Show as well. She had a duet set to the song, “Someone in the Crowd,” from the movie La La Land alongside Savannah Vargas, ’24.

Lambert has been dancing since she was 3 and is satisfied with the end of her dancing career. Lambert says, “Performing my duet was so surreal. We have talked about doing one for 4 years now and to finally choreograph and perform one was so emotional. By closing night I wasn’t nervous at all. It was really more about adding character to my dance. After my duet, I had two more dances to complete but I did take a moment to hug my duet partner Savannah and just take it all in.”

Emotions were high for Lambert. Lambert says, “A few tears were shed. Overall, I thought this dance show was amazing and came together better than I could’ve imagined.”

Lambert’s journey with dance has reached its end but she still plans to incorporate basic dance movements in her day-to-day life. Lambert says, “I do not plan on continuing my dance career after high school. I have been dancing for 15 years of my life and it feels like I have already lived that life to its full extent. It’s time to leave it behind and retire…I would still like to stay active by going to the gym. Maybe doing yoga and pilates or even becoming a barre instructor. Just simple things that have the basics of dance incorporated without it actually being dance.”

Brienna Burr, ’24, a 4-year senior on Dance Force, said her farewell to dance with her final solo set to the song, “All I Ask” by Adele. This performance was very bittersweet for Burr. Burr says, “Performing a final solo was definitely bittersweet. Since I made Dance Force I had been dreaming about what my, “senior solo,” would look like. I am proud to say I exceeded my expectations. Performing always gives me an indescribable feeling.”

Burr has been dancing for 13 years. Dance has become a huge part of her life but she is ready to move on and start something new. Burr says, “Growing up I always based my solos off of people who meant something to me, and this was the first one I created for myself. I was always a bit nervous but it was definitely shadowed by excitement. Unfortunately, it was my last time performing. Overall, the dance show was a beautiful and fun experience for me. I am very proud of myself and how far I’ve come as a dancer. I feel so blessed that I was able to end off my career surrounded by my team, family, friends, and teachers.”

Though Burr may not be performing anymore she still plans to keep dancing in her life. Burr says, “I do not plan on continuing with my dance career in the future. However, in college, I plan to stay active by taking a lot of random dance electives and finding a local San Diego studio that I could potentially work at as a preschool to 5th grade choreographer.”

Vargas, a 3-year Dance Force member, has one more performance in the summer at her studio before she says goodbye to performing. Vargas says, “It felt great performing! I loved performing alongside a close friend and teammate, Piper Lambert. I loved that we were able to share our love for tap and make it come to life, La La Land style. I was nervous but it helped having Piper dance with me and I was excited to showcase our talents… Overall I just feel happy and nostalgic knowing that I got to create so many memories these past 4 years in dance.”

Vargas says, “As of right now, I will not be pursuing dance any further. I may take some classes here and there for fun but nothing at the level I do now. It feels bittersweet to close this chapter of my life but I’m ready to take on new chapters. I will be studying nursing in the fall and can’t wait to put all my time and energy into my career.”

Kahlen Novelo, ’24, is a 4-year member of Dance Force and is Captain alongside Brienna Burr and Makayla Bullock. Dancing is a huge part of Novelo’s life as she has been dancing for 12 years.

Novelos solo was set to the song, “Love You in My Mind” by Brynn Cartelli. This performance was very emotional for Novelo since it would be her last performance for Redwood Dance. Novelo says, “It felt amazing performing for my friends and family. I was nervous in the beginning but as soon as I started dancing I just let out how emotional I was feeling because of dance show being my last performance with Redwood.”

Novelo isn’t done performing just yet. Novelo says, “I will definitely have future performances as I will be competing this solo at Hollywood Connection nationals this July. Overall I’m super happy I got to dance with the best dance team ever and all my friends in other dance classes.. This dance show will definitely be the most memorable and heartfelt performance for me.”

Novelo plans to keep dance in her life as she heads off to Chapman University. Novelo says, “I plan to minor in dance at Chapman University and keep choreographing in and outside of college.”

Brooklyn Cox, ’24, a 4-year dance force member has been dancing for 12 years. She had a passionate solo to the song, “Bound to You” by Christina Aguilera. Cox says, “Performing a solo at dance show was such a surreal and fun experience. I was nervous at first to perform in front of my friends, family, and teachers but after the first show I got used to it.”

Cox plans on continuing her journey with dance at Fresno State University. Cox says, “It was sad to perform for my last dance show but it made it so much more meaningful. I still am dancing for my studio so, that was not my last performance, I still have competition season. For the future, I am hoping to make Fresno State dance team and continuing my dancing journey there on the sidelines.”

Makayla Bullock, ’24, a captain and 4-year member of Dance Force set the stage with fierce energy with her solo to the song, “Alien Superstar” by Beyonce. Bullock has been dancing for 8 years and plans to keep dance as a main part of her life. Bullock says, “It felt really good to be on stage and have that moment to myself and be able to share that with the audience. I was excited the first two nights but going into the last night I was very nervous to perform it to the last night.”

Bullock will major in dance at Texas Tech University and has a bright future filled with dance. Bullock says, “Definitely not my last performance. With dance I want to end up opening a studio after everything. I want to be on multiple dance teams like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and Rockettes.”

Matthew Bartolo, ’24, is a first-year dance force member. Bartolo has been involved in the Redwood Dance Program for the past 2 years. Bartolo’s journey with dance has only just begun. Bartolo says, “Performing is honestly the best feeling in the world. it’s very exhilarating and euphoric…Initially, performing is very daunting. I was specifically nervous about messing up especially since Dance Force opened the show this year. I didn’t want to mess up. The dance show was definitely not my last time performing. I still have my dance studio competitions and recital as well as dancing in college.”

Bartolo says, “Being on dance force was the best experience ever. there’s such a community within us and a support system that in my opinion can’t be found anywhere else. My most memorable experience was making the viral hot chip salad from TikTok in my dressing room.”

Bartolo plans on pursuing dance alongside his education at Chapman University. Bartolo says, “…I will be majoring in Psychology with hopefully a minor in dance. I still want to prioritize my education before dance, however I’m not ready to lose this passion just yeet. Chapman has not just an amazing dance program but they have an amazing dance community on campus. I will be able to join different clubs and teams that I wouldn’t find anywhere else. I also want to eventually try out for the television competition series So You Think You Can Dance in the mere future.”

These dancers have worked hard over these past couple of years. Their dedication and passion for dance is inspiring. They will continue to grow and flourish whether it’s with dance or pursuing something else.

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