Dancing isn't just fun and games for Senior Lisa Tocco and Junior Gina Lewis.
Lisa, a dancer since she was two years old, will be attending a special dance program in Paris during spring break in March. Gina, a former gymnast who has been dancing since she was four years old, danced with the Alvin Ailey Theatre in New York City last summer.
Both students, members of the Academy's REMIX dance team, are thrilled with the avenues dancing opens up for them.
"I like performing and I've always enjoyed expressing myself through dance," Lisa said. "Being on stage is exhilarating."
Lisa was a long-time student at Cookie Joe's Dance School - taking ballet, tap dancing and jazz lessons. She also participated in the school's Asian dance company, performing in public at the Houston International Festival, Star of Hope annual gala, the Houston Children's Festival and United Way event.
As she became older, Lisa scaled back on dance and tried her hand at various sports. But after she came to St. Agnes and REMIX was launched, she decided to give her favorite pastime another shot. She's been a team member since her sophomore year, attending dance camps, learning rigorous jazz, hip hop and lyrical routines, performing at pep rallies, and participating in dance competitions. "We are really trying to build a reputation," Lisa said. "I really missed dancing and REMIX was a great chance to get me back in the game."
Lisa auditioned at the HTE Dance Academy summer camp, the REMIX team's annual summer ritual, to earn a spot in the Academy's Paris workshop this spring. "I was a little out of my comfort level, but that's always what happens when you audition. There were over 100 girls trying out," she said. "It will be a very intense week, but I am looking forward to coming back and sharing what I've learned with everyone."
After Paris, Lisa is hoping to keep dancing in college, although where she is not sure of quite yet. She hopes to focus on Asian studies or humanities at Rice University, Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, Loyola-Marymount University Wake Forest University, the University of Texas or Emory University.
At the Alvin Ailey Theatre last summer, Gina had the opportunity to study one-on-one with top choreographers and focus on her favorite style of dance - modern lyrical.
"The way you can express yourself in that kind of dance is amazing. I also like the style, the smooth movements and how the dancer is connected to the music," Gina said.
Gina is a long-time dancer with the Houston Academy of Dance and the Exclamation Dance Company. With the company, she's risen from apprentice to soloist, and dances 12 to 22 hours per week depending on what kind of performance she's involved in. She's danced with REMIX this school year and last year, and hopes to dance with the team her senior year, too.
"I hope to be a dancer for the rest of my life," Gina said. "When people compliment you following a performance and you know you've entertained them - that is an incredible feeling. The adrenaline rush of being on stage makes it all worth it."
Both Gina and Lisa are proud to be dancing as Academy students.
"The all-girl environment appealed to me," said Gina, who transferred to St. Agnes during her sophomore year. "Being here has given me a lot of confidence in the classroom and on stage."
Lisa agreed. "My mom encouraged me to give St. Agnes a try and I wasn't entirely sure about it at first. But I really, really like it here. I have gained so much self confidence and self-esteem. I am proud to say I will graduate from this school in May," she said.
