Notes of celebration for the seniors in the FIS Dance Company from Mr. Jez Gregg

Morgan 

An amazing product of two wonderful scientists. This girl entered the studio in grade 9 and glided through space. The gentle energy and positive outlook she brings gives her care and creativity in bucket loads. What has been quite brilliant about Morgan is the way that she has bounced back from low attendance in grade 11 - it seemed that a huge corner was turned, she appeared in the studio every day, completed work with quality and purpose and applied to College to study dance and GOT IN!!! I’m so incredibly proud of this beautiful scientist turned dancer and know that there will be a missing space in the studio after she departs. Someone the other day said - “Does Morgan live in the studio” - well she does AND she always will! Thank you!

Enya  

Enya is elegant and composed, she is intelligent and interested - AND she is totally off her rocker in the most brilliant way when given the chance. Over the years of seeing Enya perform in theatre and dance pieces from Farquaad to Captain Hook she has ALWAYS given her absolute best! She has an energy that infects others, inspires everyone and show her expression at its most full. “I’ve got a golden ticket …” cue Enya to go totally bonkers! LOVE IT! Thank you!

Alice  

Alice first impacted the dance program in grade 8 when she performed an assessment piece. It was an extract from Little Shop of Horrors - Closed for Renovation. She was dynamic, powerful, positive … yet she was always a little unaware of how good she is. Over the years she has Tik Tok’d and Just Danced her way through dance at FIS. During the most challenging times of Covid Alice created the most wonderful dance video in her hallway at home. She showed confidence, creativity and some great camera work/angles too. She is a force. In Break the Mould she showed the belief in herself to perform at her absolute max! I am so totally proud of this genius - keep dancing! Thank you!

Theo

Theo joined the dance company as a make-up artist for Break the Mould. It was her first experience and she has to know that she lifted the dance piece to a new level with her innovative and skillful knowledge of make-up. I will never forget her reaction when she actually watched the show and was exploding with joy, shock and surprise at the piece. The dance piece that she contributed SO much towards. I hope you get a chance to practice your make-up skills in the future. Thank you!

Alexander

My first memory of Alex is when he joined the FIS (Frankfurt International School) Dance Company and we were exploring dance through the years. The students had a choice of creating their own dance individually or in groups. Alex decided, as a confident grade 7 student, to choreograph his own work. He chose his own music (Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen), created his own movements and used some wonderful intuition in dance improvisation. His work led up to a public performance to an audience of over 250 people from the school community. Alex presented with confidence, energy and total focus, he ‘wow’ed the audience with his terrific stage presence and communication skills. This first memory of Alex is a wonderful encapsulation of his continued efforts in Dance and Theatre at the Frankfurt International School. He was Marty McFly in Continuum (Back to the Future) and performed in numerous other dance productions. When Alex embarks on his new adventure there will be a massive Alex shape gap left behind - he has been an inspiration to all dancers at FIS. His power and presence will live on for a long time! KEEEEEP DANCING! Thank you!

Jess

Jess has been at FIS for the last 7 years - which is something I keep telling her and she’s like “er, no I’ve only been here for two years!”. This has to be because she is such a game changer when it comes to her role in the FIS Dance company. She is technically WOW, she has so many creative ideas, she inspires so many other dancers, keeps some of them in line, always always listens to every word (even when I’m speaking nonsense). She can leap off stage unlike anyone I’ve ever seen… she is TOTAL energy and commitment in one. She also often beats me at a handstand - which is ok… ish! Jess you fill the room with your humble brilliance. Can you stay for another 7 years please! Thank you! Thank you!

Carina

Somebody give this girl a job in a 1950's musical and called it Carina Can! The energy that she showed in the Mood Indigo number will stay with me forever. The way that she ignites and excites the other dancers on stage is a massive treat for the audience. It happened from the first time we tried the dance. Carina’s energy is instant and very contagious. This is Carina’s first and last year in FIS and she was like a seasoned professional. Always so positive and forward thinking - also completely supportive of me in the process. If I ever wanted reassurance during the rehearsals I could always turn to Carina - so caring! Thank you!

Hanako

Hanako is a bundle of brilliance. In every rehearsal she works carefully and purposefully - without any fuss. She should have total belief in herself as a dancer and performer. When on stage she is professional and accurate in everything that she does. She has been in so many productions for the dance company now and is always one of the most focussed in the cast. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and please please keep dancing. Thank you!

Kylie

Kylie … circle the face with the finger and give a thumbs up OR a thumbs down … what ya say? For me it is ALWAYS a thumbs up. Kylie has so much positivity and care in her work and she manages to flit between serious to silliness in an instant. For me that is the sign of professional attitude, to know when to turn it on and bring your A game. Kylie, away from dance, and often in and around the characters, always has a quirky thing to say or do - brings out a laugh or a joke, or an insult - but in the most caring way! She keeps people's spirits up in the best possible way - because she cares for people around her. Thumbs up a million times! Thank you!

Tianyi

In terms of progress in an area of study Tianyi is one of the strongest students I’ve ever seen. From a very quiet and calm student to a thoughtful, dynamic and risk taking dancer - the progress that she has shown is completely off the chart. Tianyi cares about her craft, offers brilliantly creative ideas and now performs with strong technique - in performance she has so much energy and drive! Tianyi’s journey has been a total pleasure to watch - keep dancing and growing! Thank you!

Sa

I promise I won’t mention Closed for renovation one more time - but it was my first memory of Sa… and she was so good! Over the years she has been a superb member of the dance company and even outside of the dance company I can’t seem to keep Sa away - she performs brilliantly in Alice’s composition. Sa - your energy is wonderful, you are so giving and always willing to step up. Totally proud of you! Thank you!

Vivian

Where is it even possible to start? I will start by saying that I am upset with you - why did you not do IB Dance??? I’m also upset because you’re leaving - how will I ever cope, where will my ideas come from? Aaaaaargh! You are a total gem Vivian - when I first met you, you were outstanding with your ideas and support and these just continued year after year. The time and support you have given have equaled more hours than an IB subject - I should be able to give you an honorary IB Dance certificate! You have kept me sane, you’ve kept my chin up when I feel low - you have taken the FIS Dance Company to a whole new level - not just with your technique but also with your leadership and care. I will miss you so much - please please dance and dance and dance! Thank you!

Mizuki

Noooooooooooooooo… this is the sound of the FIS Dance Company losing their assistant choreographer. Mizuki you gave so much to this show, the fun parts are you, the colour is you - you inspired so many of the younger dancers through your electric abilities as choreographer and performer. You helped me solve problems, reduced my stress levels and gave an unbelievable amount of your time and energy. You might not have made it on stage - but your energy made it on stage, for which I can’t thank you enough. Wishing you the best of luck in your musical theatre career - NEVER give up! Thank you!

Kasturi

Kat - you are the salt of the earth. You bring such calm and joy to everything that you do and you marry this with absolute professionalism. When I look at you on stage I see someone in the zone, giving their all and bringing other dancers along the way. You lead by example - others simply follow. Your ideas are so useful and the creative discussions we shared were so valuable to the process. I hope that creativity follows you in the next part of your adventure - you burst with it and I think it balances you in a beautiful way. Thank you for all your kindness!

Iris

Where do I start? Energy, energy, energy … this gives joy to everyone! You are ALWAYS working on the edge of what is possible, you throw yourself into situations and bring a completely engaging moment - whether in rehearsal or in performance. The audience can not take their eyes off someone with so much to give - how do you do it! Over the years of theatre and dance I have never heard you say no … you are a yes person and you back it up with quality and care. How do you do this? You must promise me that you keep involved in theatre and dance - there is a strong life force that has to be shared! Thank you!