Orchesis has returned after its cancellation for a year, and it brings a new teacher along with it.
Jessica Riss-Waltrip has been teaching dance for 25 years and decided to take on the task of restarting the orchesis program this year. Riss-Waltrip went to Illinois State University. During her time there, she taught the class a couple of times for her teaching clinical and, after graduating, would sub for the class when needed. She has worked hard this year to build up the orchesis program since its cancellation last year, which disappointed many people.
“Coming in to teach orchesis was brand new. We didn’t know where we would have the class,” Riss-Waltrip said. “So when they hired me, I made the decision to just get the program up and running again [before having a formal show].”
The orchesis showcase that has historically taken place in the spring semester is no longer happening. This decision, made by Riss-Waltrip, is to allow her focus on rebuilding the program.There will still be less formal presentations so students can show what they have learned. The fact that they will have these presentations has consoled students disappointed by the showcase cancelation.
“I was pretty upset, though I know a new teacher needs to ease into their role. Since it is my last show, it is kind of a lack of closure,” senior Gabbi Walker said. “I do, in hindsight [understand why the show got canceled], but at first I definitely didn’t. I understand from the teacher’s perspective; she’s a busy woman.”
Despite the disappointment of not having a show, the existence of the orchesis class is an improvement. With only four girls signing up for the class the previous year, Principal Andrea Markert did not have enough students to host the class last year.
“I reached out to other school principals via email and asked if they would be able to temporarily pay $500 per year per student for the 2022-2023 school year so that I could run the class with a small number of students,” Markert said. “None of the schools were able to pay.“
This year 19 students have signed up for the class, allowing Markert to justify the cost of paying for an instructor and a space.
No longer a competitive dancer, orchesis has been a nice way for Walker to start her morning and to exercise. She is excited about the class being back, even though there are a few differences.
“The old teacher had a lot of different perspectives on dance and the culture as a whole,” Walker said. “The main change I think previous orchesis members talk about is the change in music. We didn’t have a lot of music with words in the past, but now we can listen to pop music, which is kind of a weird shift.”
Despite the difference in music, Riss-Waltrip believes she is making way with the students and is excited for the rest of the year.
“I have [enjoyed teaching orchesis], I think the students have really warmed up to me,” Riss-Waltrip said. “There was a little hesitation, but I think we are all getting along really well.”
