Inspirations from the Silver Screen

Inspirations from the Silver Screen showcasing classic musical hits from a variety of Hollywood's legendary motion pictures was a spectacular evening of entertainment as the Benjamin Dance Ensembles directed by Sara Salivar (Upper School) and Rachel Rudner (Middle School) took center stage at the Eissey Campus Theatre and presented stellar performances for the evening audience at the May 2 year-end dance concert.

Middle and upper school dance students and members of the divisions’ dance teams performed a variety of dance styles for students, parents, faculty and guests, including ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and tap.

"In preparation for the concert, our dancers enjoyed the opportunity to learn from guest choreographer Jill Nicklaus '89, an accomplished Broadway performer, whose professional career spans 20 years in theatre, film and television," said Salivar. "Our students are beyond excited to be learning from this former Benjamin student and Broadway gem."

The audience also enjoyed guest solo performances by alumna Kristi Bentz '10(pictured left), who will be graduating with scholastic distinction from the renowned Julliard School of Dance this month with a BFA degree.

Bentz, a former TBS dancer who has performed worldwide and also studied with the Bolshoi Ballet School at the age of 17, will begin her professional dancing career in France as she joins the Lyon Opera Ballet for the 2014-15 season.