Perpich Arts High School Dance Program Presents “Invisible Threads”

December 8, 2025

From all corners of the state, the dancers of the Perpich Arts High School Dance Program moved their audiences with “Invisible Threads” on December 4th and 5th. The winter concert was the culmination of a semester of work. The dancers demonstrated their creativity, choreographic skills, and performance expertise in several student-choreographed works, a faculty work, and a guest artist work. The works ranged in style, musical choice, and intention. The title, “Invisible Threads”, refers to identity, creativity, and inspiration, the emphasis of their work this fall. The dances ranged from dynamic to fluid, from formal to fun, with a range of intensities. Congratulations to all involved with the show!

Invisible Threads
a concert of connection

Choreography by the Perpich Arts High School dance students and guest artist: Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010)

• Three dancers from three Minnesota communities
• Ten student-choreographed dances
• Two writers from Literary Arts
• One guest artist
• A million ideas of inspiration
• One community
• Two priceless evenings

After the performances, the dancers shared the following thoughts:

“I have learned a lot from this performance and I had a amazing time performing. This was an awesome experience, and I am excited for our next performance.” – Adrianna Dvorak (Dance 2027)

“I had a really good time working with these wonderful people. I feel very grateful. When I first came here, I was really nervous, but Mary made it really fun along with being with my girls. It was really fun letting our creativity show and grow.” – Miyah James (Dance 2027)

“Performing in the dance show was exciting and pushed me to grow as a performer. I had to stay focused, trust my fellow dancers, and commit to every movement. Being on stage reminded me how much I love performing and how dance lets me express myself in ways words can’t. Overall, it was such a fun time and I can’t wait to do it all again in the spring.” – Simone Ueland (Dance 2027)

Mary Harding, Dance Instructor, said, “While learning different movement styles, the dancers are introduced to various artists of the past. We start composition class by creating a dance about identity based on the children’s book, “Where We Come From”. The dancers create movement themes based on their names and their lives and then we create a structure together. For “Lying Liars Who Lie”, the students brainstormed a big idea about gossip, deception, and more. They created phrases using different components of the brainstorm, emphasizing space, relationship, and gesture. Again, they put these ideas in an order/structure. The students created solos and small group pieces, as well as structured improvisations to two poems by the Lit kids and had the joy of working with alumnus, Davente Gilreath. They created a cohesive, beautiful evening.”

Guest choreographer, Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010), poses with the dancers and Mary Harding, Dance Instructor

Rebecca Bullen, Perpich Arts High School Principal, said, “…”Invisible Threads” reminds us of the depth, vulnerability, and power our students bring forth and share. The dancers inspire all with their presence and intention, and their movement and emotional clarity as they commit to each other in collaboration and individually. Under the guidance of Mary Harding, students cultivate a learning environment that holds space for process, experimentation, history, and collective expression. There is rigor, vulnerability, and respect. What Mary creates in the classroom, in the dance community, is a reflection of who we are as a Perpich community. We are very fortunate to witness this.”

Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010) was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His dance training began at Perpich Center for Arts Education where he was exposed to to styles of dance including modern, ballet, jazz, African, and contact improvisation. Gilreath furthered his dance training at the University of Minnesota where he worked with professors such as Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson, and Toni Pierce‐Sands and received his BFA in Dance. During this time he was also able to perform and create work with Minnesota‐based companies such as Threads Dance Project and Contempo Physical Dance (with Marciano Silva dos Santos). Gilreath Joined Garth Fagan Dance in 2014 and, during his eight years with the company, performed numerous key works from the Fagan cannon around the country including new works choreographed by PJ Pennewell, Company Director. He was promoted to senior company member and appointed the Director of the Garth Fagan Dance Student Ensemble. He also taught Intermediate/Advanced Fagan Technique for the Garth Fagan Dance School and for the Garth Fagan Summer Movement Institute. Gilreath is now a dance instructor at The University of Minnesota where he teaches Contemporary, African Diasporic Movement, and Jazz. In the last three years since returning to Minneapolis, he has danced for choreographers Joe Chvala, Darrius Strong, and has just joined Ananya Dance Theatre. He has set choreography for senior students at TU Dance, Perpich Center for Arts Education (2023 & 2025) and in his own solo work “Rumination”, which premiered in Choreographers’ Evening, Walker Art Center, November, 2024.

Dance Instructor – Mary Harding
Lighting Designer & Sound Board Operator – Alexi Carlson
Guest Choreographer – Davente Gilreath (Dance 2010)
Poems – Jalena Gumban (Literary Arts 2026), Zach Stegora (Literary Arts 2026)