After disappearing from the class list in 2022, Orchesis reemerged the following year with no planned performances. With the uncertainty behind the program, many students began to lose hope for its success. However, things have changed for the better. Last year, coach Jessica Riss-Waltrip decided to focus on rebuilding the program before staging another formal show. Her hard work has paid off, and Orchesis is back up and running, celebrating their first concert performance titled “Opposites and This or That” which took place on February 13, 2025.
Riss-Waltrip, in her new Orchesis class, provided a space for students to lead as they played a significant role in decision-making regarding choreography, costumes, and lighting. Though most dances were choreographed by students from U-High and other local high schools, ISU senior Julian Fonseca choreographed the opening number while Riss-Waltrip choreographed the last piece.
The performance promoted collaboration amongst the dancers. Sophie Cook (9) enjoyed dancing with her friend Annie Hume, who attends Normal Community High School. Cook has danced since she was two and currently dances at the Twin City School of Dance. She, along with her friend, created a piece to “Reflecting Light” by Sam Phillips. “It’s a very smooth song,” said Cook. “Annie and I chose navy blue costumes and used lighting to highlight important parts of the dance.” Although Cook initially struggled with choreography ideas, she found the process rewarding. “We encouraged each other backstage, saying, ‘I love you guys! We’re going to do great!’ Even after performing, we’d say, ‘We did it!’”
While underclassmen look forward to the growth of the program, seniors are sad to say goodbye. Lydia McIntyre (12) has been in the program for two years, and this year has been bittersweet. “It’s kind of sad to perform only during my senior year,” McIntyre admitted. “I wish I could do it more, but it was fun going out with a bang.” She performed in a piece titled “How Did It End,” choreographed by Sarah Jacobs (12). Although it pushed her slightly out of her comfort zone due to the fact that it was her first performance with such a small group of people since her freshman year, she found it enjoyable. “The most rewarding part of working on our dances was presenting the finished product on stage for an audience,” McIntyre shared. “I hope Orchesis continues as it is and keeps performing and doing concerts!”
U-High dance team member Lane Keach (11) also made an appearance on stage. “I didn’t choreograph for Orchesis this year, but I do choreograph for the dance team. In Orchesis, I wanted to focus on learning from others,” Keach explained. He loved the dances he performed but found learning from his peers even more fulfilling, emphasizing that learning from others is crucial in dance. “I hope the audience realizes that dance requires a lot of hard work and that there are many styles of dance,” Keach stated. With only one year left in the program, Keach hopes it continues to grow, providing students the space to dance and be creative.
Orchesis’s performance was a resounding success this year, and it seems the program intends to continue organizing performances in the future. “Seeing everyone’s dances and how incredible they were was astonishing,” said Cook. “I loved every part of it.”
