Dance
Mercy’s Dance Program is a college preparatory, conservatorial program that maintains a dual emphasis on both the technical and artistic training of students, providing them with a solid, comprehensive technical foundation, and a stimulating, enjoyable artistic encounter. Students receive technical instruction in the genres of ballet, modern dance, jazz dance, improvisation, and composition, as well as exposure to various styles of choreography and performance opportunities. The Dance Program at Mercy High School is a well-established program that has successfully graduated dancers who have earned admission to college dance programs and who pursue professional careers in dance.
This two-tiered, co-curricular program includes the Dance Troupe, our pre-professional performance company and the Apprentice Dance Company for students with limited or no formal dance training. Students involved in these full-year courses earn academic credit.
To learn more about the Dance Program at Mercy, click here.
Dance Concert 2020
Mercy's Dance Program will host a Dance Concert on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 7:30 pm in The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Auditorium. For information, click here.
Highlights from this Year
Rosanna Rivera, a professional dancer, shared her love of Flamenco dance with the Dance Troupe and the Apprentice Dance Company in two amazing master classes. She also continues to work with Dance Troupe to set a beautiful Flamenco piece for our upcoming Spring Concert.
Danah Bella, Chair of the dance program at Peabody Conservatory, joined the Dance Troupe to give a master class and to discuss the B.F.A. program.
Mercy dancers from both Dance Troupe and the Apprentice Dance Company will join dancers from other local independent schools at the 3rd annual Independent Dance Network Dance Festival on February 23rd. Our dancers will have the opportunity to take master classes in a variety of genres and Dance Troupe will present a work during the performance at the end of the day.
New this year:
Mercy High School is excited to have a newly formed Chapter of NHSDA (National Honor Society for Dance Arts). The National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education. Students who meet the criteria, including a minimum GPA requirement, can be inducted into the NHSDA. Through the NHSDA, students are provided opportunities for mentoring, networking, and leadership development, as well as national and state-level scholarship and award opportunities.