Pittsburgh CAPA dance students take steps in virtual concert
Kasey Coles pushes the living room couch out of the way. Her studio space is now ready.
Such is the life of a senior dance major at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, a creative and performing arts magnet school, Downtown. Pittsburgh Public Schools are stuck in remote learning because of the pandemic.
“Everyone is suffering and adjusting during this pandemic,” said Coles, of Wilkinsburg. “We are all finding ways to stay motivated and our teachers are doing an amazing job of making it happen and keeping us engaged in learning. They always seem to find new and exciting choreography.”
Those dance moves will be showcased at 7 p.m. Friday for the virtual Winter Dance Concert. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. The stream will available for viewing until Jan. 1.
There will be seven pieces of choreography from 100 dance students in grades 6-12. Coles said the online event will allow more people to see the performance, including her grandmother who lives in Washington D.C.
A challenging part of taking a not-in-person dance class is trying to video her routine, Coles said. She also has to keep an eye out for her dog, Nola, a wheaten terrier, who thinks when she is dancing it is play time. Nola made an appearance in one of Coles’ shows earlier this school year.
James Washington Manning, who was appointed CAPA dance department chair in August, said seeing pets on the screen is just part of the everyday aspects of remote learning. In addition to dance instruction he also has to remind students to make their beds if they are in class in their bedroom. He reminds them to be mindful of other background distractions in the house.
“It’s also important to have proper lighting,” said Manning. “We have to make the best of the space we have. It’s a learning curve, but all of the students have the same playing field.”
He credits his team of dance instructors — Denise Azzari, Tanya Garcia, Kaylin Horgan, Ayisha Morgan-Lee — who have collaborated with the students on learning, rehearsing, interpreting and filming all of the movement virtually.
There hasn’t been a day where they have not shown their commitment, dedication and perseverance, said Manning. The dance department created a plan to engage students from wherever they are — the bedroom, the living room or a studio in their house.
They’ve been working on this show since the beginning of November. Movements include ballet, jazz and modern genres as well as a little bit of improvisation.
There will be moments where all students are all performing, to others when there will be a few or just one student dancing. Each submitted three or four videos, which have been edited and incorporated into the show.
“This show will be like nothing you have seen before,” said Coles. “It will be neat to see students performing in their own space and from the comfort of their own homes.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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