Menlo News December 09, 2022

A Heartwarming Evening of Middle School Music and Dance

The Winter Wonderland Fire & Ice Holiday Concert features Steel Pan Band, Mixed Chorus, and Dance students performing in collaboration to celebrate peace, joy, and community

Middle School Creative Arts students have been practicing for a celebratory winter concert all semester to showcase their emerging talents in their first community performance in two years. To celebrate the season, the evening’s repertoire includes Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs, choral performances with messages of peace and joy, plus dance numbers set to contemporary music.

Centered on the theme of Fire & Ice, the winter concert promises to be a lively and energetic take on the holiday season. “It’s a welcoming, warm party gathering with the community that features a showcase of our students,” says dance teacher Dominique Serapio, Menlo’s newest addition to the Middle School Creative Arts faculty. This concert is a community gathering for the holidays that transforms the Middle School Garage and quad into magical spaces. That’s what art and performance is all about—bringing people together.”

The performance takes place inside the Garage, which will open onto the quad where the community can gather for refreshments and hot chocolate under trees glowing with festive lights.

“We try to find new ideas each year,” adds music teacher Liz Bongiorno. “This year, it has more energy and dance. The students have been practicing in class and on their own time. We have worked with them a lot before the concert, and they are excited for the show. We encourage them to be as professional as possible, but something always happens that’s a surprise and sometimes that ends up being the best part. For the kids that never thought they would sing a solo or even perform in a concert, this evening is such a confidence booster. Most of all, we want them to support each other and have a lot of fun too.”

The Middle School Winter Wonderland Fire & Ice Concert is on December 13 at 5:30 pm. Admission is free and a complimentary reception will follow the performance.