Perpich News

Perpich Arts High School Dance Program Presents “Unbeknown Paths”

May 5, 2025

From all corners of the state, the dancers of the Perpich Arts High School Dance Program presented “Unbeknown Paths” on May 1 and 2, 2025. The spring concert was the culmination of a semester of work. The dancers will demonstrated their creativity, choreographic skills, and performance expertise in student choreographed works, faculty work, and guest artist work. The works range in style, musical choice, and intention, revealing the dancers’ individual accomplishments and their strong feeling of ensemble. The title, ”Unbeknown Paths”, refers to the feeling the students have about moving on different paths at the end of the year. The dances range from dynamic to fluid, from formal to fun, with a range of intensities. Congratulations to all involved with the show!

“These dancers followed a path that somehow brought them together in the dance program at Perpich,” said Mary Harding, Dance Instructor. “While here, they have leaned on, learned from, and grown with each other. Now, the paths will diverge again into distinct, beautiful paths.”

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

Six dancers from six Minnesota communities
Sixteen student choreographed dances
One guest artist
A million ideas of inspiration
One community
Two priceless evenings

Dancers:
Mia Botz – Minneapolis
Sam Ek – Thief River Falls
Ella Gorter – Pipestone
Ana Kol-Balfour – Minneapolis
Alma Soave – Minneapolis
Dani Wyborny – Big Lake

After the performances, the dancers shared the following thoughts:

“My solo is for my grandma who passed away in October. That sounds harsh, but it’s the last solo I will do here at Perpich and I wanted to dedicate it to her. I wear orange to symbolize her because that was her favorite color. She had orange everywhere, from her reading glasses down to her shoes. I aim to express the deep love and admiration I hold for her memory. As I dance I want to convey a sense of nostalgia and warmth but also a sad, and emotional piece to remind myself and the audience what she meant to me. This isn’t just a dance, this is a performance to show the mark she left on me. I hope the audience sees me channeling emotions and memories into every movement I do, even the small ones. Every step, to me in my head, is a reminder of everything she’s taught me and the laughter we had together that I miss so dearly.” – Ana Balfour (Dance 2025)

“In Dance one day, Mary taught us various jazz steps – moments of choreography we could cut and paste to partner with each other or dance solo. At work one day, a song by St Germain came on, and my mom told me it would make a fabulous dance! I said no… it would be much too difficult to choreograph to a song like this. At home one day, I decided I would just improvise to the song, and that was where my inspiration struck! As I closed my eyes to choreograph, I envisioned a jazz club with people from every jazz era united in dance.” – Alma Soave (Dance 2025)

“My quartet connects to the world with themes of how we all deal with different things/emotions in life but come together to build community.” – Sam Ek (Dance 2025), on his choreography

“This dance is about growing. Not just growing. Growing up and forward in life. For the past 14 years I’ve been in school. I’d say for over half of those years I wished and hoped to be done. Now that time has finally come and I’m full of emotion. Anxiety, hope, excitement but I think most of all I’m full of nostalgia. Wanting to hold on to the little kid in me. I think this piece has evolved around many worlds. Growing up, childhood, and moving forward onto the next amazing things. I also want to say how ever you interpret this dance, it is correct. You see a different story? You feel a different emotion? It’s all right. I want to thank my fellow dancers for making this piece the way I imagined it. I couldn’t have done it without their talent, patience, and open minds.” – Mia Botz (Dance 2025), on her dance “Momentary State of Sorrow”

“When I came here, I felt broken like I was just getting through each day, not really living. But this school gave me more than just a fresh start. It gave me a place to be seen, to be heard, to grow. Through movement, through people who believed in me, I found my voice. “Unbeknown Paths” personally for me was about that journey from feeling invisible to becoming someone I’m proud to be. Someone who’s still growing, but no longer lost.” – Dani Wyborny (Dance 2026)

Rebecca Bullen, Perpich Arts High School Principal, said, “I loved having been able to see their tech process earlier in the week and then see the transformation and coming together at the opening performance. I continue to be inspired and in awe of their growth, hard work, and passion. It is a gift to witness and…I may have cried, so moved by the experience. What a powerful group of artists!”

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.