Graceful Moves

When she is not choreographing a new routine for the Lionettes dance group or proctoring in Dunbar Hall, senior Amy Wang can be found in the dance studio, working on her technique or a solo for the next dance concert. Wang has been part of the Academy’s dance program since her prep year, and has been in both dance classes and the Dance Company.Wang studied and honed her dance skills for many years before she came to the Academy, attending her first dance class at the age of seven. “I started dancing at a studio, just for the fun of it, and I realized that I was very drawn to it as a form of expression and I’ve been dancing ever since,” Wang recalled.Wang is described as a talented dancer in both her technique as well as in her expressiveness, which she attributed to her understanding of and approach to dance. “I feel like dance combines the complexity of the human condition with the more intuitive movement of the body to create a metaphor for emotions,” Wang said.“Her technique and strength combine with her sensitive and caring nature make her an ideal dancer. You can always count on Amy to make arabesque penchés and multiple pirouettes look easy,” senior Andrea Conde said. “She is also great at communicating with her audience, whether it’s her cheerful smile during a musical theatre or a Lionettes performance, or distressed face during an emotional contemporary piece, the emotion with which she dances is both contagious and moving.”Senior Lexi Pae agreed. “Dancers all look up to Amy not only because of her talented dancing but also because of the way she teaches and leads the other dancers.”As a senior, Wang hopes to use this year to expose herself to more areas of dance and to also be a leader in the dance program and dance company. She particularly hopes to have the opportunity to choreograph. Wang choreographed a solo that she performed last year as an upper “It was a good experience because I had the freedom to express myself in my own way,” Wang said. As a co-head of Lionettes, she will also be choreographing all of the routines that the group performs at pep rallies in the fall and winter. “I would really like to choreograph some pieces this year, whether they are solos or for a group,” Wang said.“Amy is very inspirational because she brings the quality of movement and superb technique,” senior Violet Davis said. “She’s a good lyrical dancer – that’s her style. So if someone told her to do certain dance steps, she could turn it into a dance.”“She’s always really great to watch in class because she always knows what she’s doing,” lower Kimberly Dawes said. “She hears the music well to fit the dance to it.”As a senior, Wang hopes to use this year to expose herself to more areas of dance and to also be a leader in the dance program and Dance Company. She particularly hopes to have the opportunity to choreograph. Wang choreographed a solo that she performed last year as an upper. “It was a good experience because I had the freedom to express myself in my own way,” Wang said. As a co-head of Lionettes, she will also be choreographing all of the routines that the group performs at the fall and winter pep rallies. “I would really like to choreograph some pieces this year, whether they are solos or for a group,” Wang said.“Amy is very inspirational because she brings the quality of movement and superb technique,” senior Violet Davis said. “She’s a good lyrical dancer – that’s her style. So if someone told her to do certain dance steps, she could turn it into a dance.”Wang particularly appreciates the dance program here at the Academy, which has not only helped her develop technical skills but has also provided a unique platform for her and her peers. “The dance company here gives more freedom to student choreographers, which is a unique trait of the Exeter dance program; you wouldn’t find that in other studios,” Wang said.“I also like that the dance program here is collaborative,” Wang said. “It’s like a Harkness version of dance. There’s no hierarchy.”“Her extensive work with the dance program here not only shows her incredible versatility and commitment but has also inspired us to be better people,” Conde said. “Part of what most impresses me about Amy is that her talents are so multifaceted. She can help me with a combination during class, explain a chemistry concept and still have time to be a great proctor and friend.”Wang also attributes dance to her interest in music, another passion of hers. “Dance can feel like it’s telling a story, and so incorporating music with dance is complementary and they play off of each other, which I sometimes take for granted, but also find fascinating,” Wang said.Outside of dance classes and Dance Company, Wang is a co-head of Lionettes and is a member of the belly dance group Abs. “I enjoy Lionettes because it gives me the chance to dance with my peers and do a different kind of dance than usual,” Wang said.Ultimately, Wang says that she would like to share the joy she feels in dancing with others and hopes that they will be able to adopt the attitude toward life that she has gained from dancing. “Don’t be self-conscious and just go out there and enjoy it,” she said.