Lionettes
By CATHERINE MANLEY, GRACE YANG and AUDREY ZHOU
Alex Lim / The Exonian
Members of one of the Academy’s dance clubs, The Lionettes, informally known as “Dance Company 2.0,” can always be spotted in Goel—they hardly leave the building. From weekly rehearsals to school-wide performances, they are an integral part of the dance community of Exeter.
“We used to do a lot of Rihanna, we used to do a lot more typical jazz, but now it’s a blend of different styles,” senior Advika Verma, cohead of Lionettes, said.
Lionettes has always been known for the energy they bring to campus: hair flips, middle splits, and high kicks. They will always be blasting Rihanna’s music for their Pep Rally performances.
“The 2023 Pep Rally was one of our biggest performances, and we got lots of good feedback,” senior Ada Milhauser, another cohead of Lionettes, said. The cohesive group of dancers has continuously synchronized in a vibrant red top and flared leggings uniform.
“We’ve learned to loosen up a little bit and have a lot more fun, and play with the audience a little bit more.” Milhauser said.
Over the past year, diverse elements of style were brought into Lionettes from the three coheads. Senior Zoë Curtis said, “I try to bring in as much of the competition dance style as I can because I feel like it’s kind of underrepresented overall in the dance department.” Curtis, bringing her signature leg move to the team, aims to pass down her legacy as she graduates this spring.
In fall 2024, a substantial number of dancers, including a number of preps, joined the team. The group has grown from under ten dancers to 19 in just one year.
“I think although prep over-recruitment is problematic for a lot of clubs, it works really well for dance clubs because we are audition-based,” Curtis said.
The talented preps’ contributions have helped highlight the strengths of the ensemble. “As a club, all you want is community, especially you want people that are younger to learn the style of the older people and then continue that after we leave.” Verma said. Also, since each new member is unique, they are able to diversify the work of the group.
Lionettes creates a secure, close-knit community for all members, with students from various classes supporting each other in the dance studios and around campus. “I honestly just love having fun with all the girls, seeing when the piece is finished and it all comes together,” Verma said. After a term of rehearsing together every Saturday evening, the team’s work culminates in a fun, spirit-packed performance, giving the group the opportunity to share their love of dance with the PEA community.
“That’s really one of the most beautiful moments there is because when everyone’s in sync and they’re hitting everything and they’re having fun and they’re putting energy to it, it’s just one of the most amazing things, especially as a choreographer,” Verma said.
Looking forward to the upcoming Fall Pep Rally, the coheads aim to expand the team’s numbers while still instilling their values. “We get to expose people to new styles and we get to teach them to have facials and energy,” Curtis said, remarking on how eager the new dancers are to share and bring a fun, fresh energy to the team. That is what Lionettes is all about.
“Every year we have a lot of seniors leave, we’re gonna have a completely new personality to the team. It’s just a nice space for preps to really feel like they have an important part.” Milhauser said.
The coheads wish to solidify the reputation of Lionettes and encourage students to embrace the diverse genres of dance. “I think honestly people that truly appreciate and love and value dance will see it for what it is, which is actually just people enjoying it,” Verma said. “Good technique, having fun.”