Destin Halvorson and Zach Wichman dance a lovely waltz during the CHS Talent Show, which this year included six dance acts. GINI DAVIS/THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE
Breathtaking dance routines and magnificent vocal and instrumental performances, sprinkled with standup comedy between acts by student emcee, Blake Nelson made for a highly enjoyable student Talent Show at Creswell High School on May 30.
”I personally loved the blend and mix of performances,” said Creswell Music Boosters President Mandy Hoggard. ”We have hoped for that for years and it is finally happening.”
Staff Infection, an all-staff rock band, opened the show with the Beatles’ song, ”Get Back,” followed by a flag routine choreographed by Grace Perdue and performed by Perdue and Anna Mercer.
Anastasia Newell played guitar and gave a gorgeous vocal rendition of the lyrical song, ”If I Go, I’m Goin’,” accompanied by Zach Schmidt on guitar.
Jekay Bosisto sang ”Crazy,” accompanied by Jackson Velarde, Justin O’Reilly and Zach Culp.
The Honey Whiskey Trio – Newell, Kylie Hecker and Bosisto – performed ”Who’s Gonna Be Your Man” a cappella, with body percussion by Newell.
A lovely waltz by Destin Halvorson and Zach Wichman that included lifts, dips and more kicked off a varied and incredibly proficient set of dance routines including a freestyle mix by Jordan Conant (a.k.a., The Pokémon Knight); a lyrical hip-hop routine by Tiffany Nelson, dancing to ”Crowns and Thorns”; a modern routine by Abby Hoggard, dancing to ”Youth”; and an engaging hip-hop routine by José Ayala and Alex Lomeli.
A modern lyrical performance by Caleb Holt, set to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony played by the Transiberian Orchestra, wrapped the dance segment of the show.
All dance acts were exquisitely self-choreographed.
”Caleb, Abby and Destin all study dance at Hosanna Dance Studio in Eugene. They have all been studying dance since their young childhood,” said Hoggard, Abby’s mom. ”Tiffany dances at Identity Dance Co. in Springfield; Zach Wichman doesn’t study dance – however, his sister Tyler is a ballroom dance student and instructor; Jose and Alex are just naturally gifted dancers.”
For his part, ”Jordan provides his dance entertainment most days at lunch in the courtyard,” Hoggard said. ”He loves Pokémon and so has deemed his performance persona The Pokémon Knight.”
Katie Culp closed the show on piano, playing her original composition, ”Tree of Life,” backed by CHS Jazz Band 1.
”Aren’t these kids amazing?” said Music Director Sandi Green. ”This was all them. They found their own pieces, they choreographed them, they worked and practiced… I just got to sit in the back and enjoy the show.”
