The Whitney Young Dance Department had a special day of dance on September 23rd. All class levels, from Dance I to Guys and Dolls, took a master class from guest artist Shiri Gloss. Gloss is a Whitney Young alumni and former member of Guys and Dolls who graduated in 2015. After graduating high school, she obtained her bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania and was part of an on-campus dance company, although she did not major in dance. Gloss spoke to current members of the Whitney Young Dance Department about pursuing dance in college as a non-major and taught a modern master class to all students. 

The dancers do not take class from guest artists often, so this was a special experience for everyone.

“It was great to see Shiri share her experience with my students. As a former doll, I think she is able to connect with them in a way that most other guest artists cannot,” says Ms. Gordon, the Whitney Young dance teacher.

“It was nice to get a new experience,” reports Rogelio Renteria, ‘20, enrolled in 3rd period dance.

“The master class was a great experience. While we work on modern dance often in class, learning it from someone new who could relate to us and our experience was really cool and  a lot of fun,” notes Simone Hoekstra, ‘21, enrolled in 6th period dance.

Hopefully there are more wonderful guest artists like Gloss in future classes of our dancing Dolphins!