OSHAWA — The award-winning dance program at Maxwell Heights tackles the perception of youth in the production of Kids These Days — a show including multiple forms of dance and messages about society, community and culture.
The performance was named after one of the 27 dances, which addresses the negative perception of teens in the media and society. It also includes personal struggles teens face, such as bullying and mental health.
“I noticed mental health issues among teens has skyrocketed,” says Lindsay Daniels, who teaches dance at Maxwell. After a two-hour conversation, Daniels says her students feel they are seen as “lazy” and “entitled,” while the pressure of social media causes anxiety.
Kids These Days captured these perceptions in an emotional performance, which Daniels says was “one of the hardest she had to choreograph.”
The performance took place from April 30 to May 1 with morning and evening shows for grade school students and parents. It incorporated different styles of dance and choreography including hip-hop, backflips and twirls.
The Maxwell Heights Dance Company is open to students in grades nine to 12, regardless of experience, to apply for classes and extracurricular opportunities. Students do multiple areas of dance, dance history, choreography, physiology, and positive body image.
“Because we have so many different levels, we want students to work at a level that’s appropriate for them at that time,” says Daniels. “It’s designed so anyone can participate, and anyone can be successful.”
Grade 12 students Helen Melino and Miles Clarke were both at different levels when they started and shared the same stage during the performance.
“I was put into dance when I was two. Doing dance here just made sense,” says Melino.
“I never danced until Grade 10,” says Clarke. “I like that we get the opportunity to learn different styles of dance, getting to try different genres is really fulfilling.”
Asides from how to dance, Daniels says the program also teaches students valuable life skills like being on time and accepting constructive criticism. She says the program has created a positive culture and students expect each other to be responsible and show up for the team.
“The main focus is not about learning dance routines, it’s about being a part of something, to be a part of a community," says Daniels. "That's one really special thing about our program."
The program is run by Daniels and her two colleagues, manager Kim Kotes and fellow dance instructor Natalie “JZ.” The three women work with the students to create a program which Daniels says will only continue to improve.
“The vision of what I had of what it could be is upon us,” she says. “It has this reputation of excellence now, which I am extremely proud of.”
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