A Perfect Dance Partner: Leo Luo
ime after time, Exonians have had the pleasure of watching senior Leo Luo shimmy across the stage in Fisher Theater and the Assembly Hall. Whether sashaying in a flawless ballroom routine or grooving with Beat of Asia, Luo displays his talent and passion for dance whenever he performs.
Luo is a member of Exeter’s Dance Company and is the president of Exeter Ballroomers, and also performs with a variety of other dance clubs. However, Luo was not always such an enthusiastic dancer.
"Since I went to an all boys’ school, I originally thought dance was a sport for girls, and I adamantly refused all dance," Luo said. "Until I was dragged by my mom to one of my friend’s studios, who is now 14th in the world for his age group—he is the same age as me, which is pretty amazing. Going to the studio and seeing what dance could be was really interesting. It looked so exciting and the music was so upbeat. The next day I went to a class and I was hooked right away."
Translating his talent and experience to Ballroomers was initially a challenge for Luo.
"I wanted to bring ballroom to Exeter, but starting the club up again has been rough. All I have ever been trained in is dance for competitions, so that kind of scared people away the first few times," Luo said. "I have had to translate what is pretty natural for me into terms that they would understand, and deal with varying levels of dance experience, and not to mention make myself a lot more accessible to the club members."
The Exeter Ballroomers recently competed at a collegiate-level ballroom competition at MIT.
"It was kind of bittersweet," Luo said. "I had taken a position of a coach instead of a competitor, which I usually do, but instead I was watching all my club members, and they were just performing their hearts out. It was nice to see how I passed my knowledge onto them."
The club sent four couples in the newcomer level and placed fourth and fifth out of 31 couples, an incredibly impressive achievement for the only high school team at a college tournament.
The students and faculty who have worked with Luo in Ballroomers, including faculty adviser Petra Laohakul, admire his work with the club, his dancing and the manner with which he conducts himself.
"He is definitely the most mature Exonian I’ve met, and I think his maturity of mind and manners has driven him toward success in all his endeavors (in dance, both on and off stage, in his studies and his relationships with his peers and instructors)," Laohakul said.
When Luo came to Exeter, he wanted to continue his dance training, so he picked up ballet and modern dance. Luo became a part of the Dance Company and has been an integral member ever since.
"My favorite passions would definitely be, at least in the field of arts, my involvement in dance," Luo said. "During my involvement in the dance company at Exeter, I have had the great opportunity of being with so many talented, not to mention beautiful dancers who just show me the intricacies and just how vibrant dance can be through their creative processes," he said.
Luo has found the dance program at Exeter to be a strong and supportive community. "It has just given me a sense of family within the Exeter community," Luo said. "Every time I go to dance, there are going to be dancers who welcome each other and who respect each other’s abilities, and I have been able to learn so much from just watching my peers."
Luo’s peers in the Dance Company have noticed his dedication and positive influence on his surroundings. "Leo’s probably one of the nicest, most earnest guys I know," fellow Dance Company member senior Sarah Xiao said. Xiao and Luo participated in the Dance Assembly twice together, and she was a member of Dance Company when Luo was a captain last term.
"He was incredibly patient when he had to teach me ballroom in [about] two weeks," Xiao said. "He also works really hard; whenever we’re in the studio usually between dances, people kind of relax and sit around, but he’s always dancing, either stuff for Dance Co or—more typically—just ballroom, which he does everywhere."
Alison Duke, the director of Exeter’s dance program, has gotten to know Luo well over the past three years.
"Leo appears to be completely comfortable with who he is. He is a regular guy, but he also loves dancing and unwaveringly expresses it," Duke said. "From swiveling ballroom hips to B-boy inversions to musical theater jazz squares to balletic grand jetés—he has tried it all, at Exeter. I love watching him onstage when his performances illuminate the entire theater."
Duke went on to suggest that Luo’s commitment to dance has added to the dance program. "At Exeter, people are busy—students, faculty and staff. Time is precious. It constantly evades us. Leo is often the first and last student practicing in the studio," Duke said. "His immeasurable dedication drives his success as a charismatic, thoughtful and selfless instructor and encouraging dance company captain. I have never ONCE had to repeat myself to Leo. I am constantly impressed by his team-player attitude, his organizational skills and his quick response to and completion of assigned tasks. I don’t know many other 17-year-old boys like him."
Luo’s teaching ability and compassion is not limited to the dance studio.
"During my time here at Exeter, Leo has really helped me through many emotional and social situations," senior Rudy Oku said. "He is very perceptive to other people’s feelings and responds in a way that makes others smile. He has truly been a great friend and dormmate."
Oku also mentioned Leo’s proficiency in different genres of dance. "He was a remarkable dancer from the moment he came in. I can tell that he really cares about the art form as a whole and not just under its small categorizations of ballet, jazz or modern," Oku said. "He always offers keen advice to his peers while perfecting his own craft. I really appreciate Leo for sharing his experiences in the dance classes."
Luo’s artistic talent and experiences at Exeter will translate well to his future endeavors, but Exeter will miss him dearly.
"I think Leo is, and will continue to be, a great leader," Laohakul said. "I’m positive he will flourish at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown next year. I’m also sure that he will make huge waves when he joins their ballroom team."
"I am going to miss Leo," Duke said. "I have treasured the opportunity to work with him. I selfishly want Leo to continue to compete and perform ballroom dance, but I think the arts programs at Exeter have deepened Leo’s appreciation for all of the performing and visual arts. I do not doubt he will passionately support and participate in dance throughout his entire life."