Mater Dei’s Dance Conservatory recently held their first concert of the school year titled, “ONE”. Many students, teachers, and families attended the ONE Concert in support of the conservatory’s dancers. Featuring unique talents and dance styles, the two-day showcase was an artistic performance that struck the hearts of many. The Dance Conservatory students and coaches have been preparing diligently on the dance floor since the summer of 2025, perfecting their techniques and maneuvers.

Led by Rochelle Mapes, the Director of Dance, each performer had the opportunity to display their individual talents as well as showcase high intensity, artistic movements as a team. Mapes, an experienced dancer herself, contributes her talents to teaching the next generation of Mater Dei dancers.

“I’ve always just loved choreographing, performing, and making dances, so with this program, I have the opportunity to create a ton of dances and direct the creativity,” Mapes said.

Unlike other dance programs, whether they are club, high school, or professional groups, Mater Dei’s Dance Conservatory combines professionality and a spirit of fun to create the best experience for its members.

“We identify as a dance conservatory because we do concerts, work with choreographers, and train in different styles; we also get a team component so [dancers] get the experience of performing at halftime, with football games, basketball games, and rallies,” Mapes said. “[Our performers] are getting this well rounded, versatile experience of being on a team but the training and performance part of being in a conservatory.”

Although the dance program performs at a variety of Mater Dei events in an array of different styles, the dancers share that they have not found the extracurricular commitment stressful. The program works as a whole team and shares a deeper bond outside school limits. Junior conservatory dancer Tayla Banayan believes that the team’s success comes not only from individual talents, but from the support of every member. 

“Dancers are very supportive,” Banayan said. “When we’re dancing, we’ll cheer for each other. I cheer at least once every dance, and there’s a lot of yelling and hollering from everybody.” 

In addition to improving artistically and technically, many dancers have made friendships through the conservatory. Junior Kiera Spencer, one of the conservatory’s skilled dancers, has formed many meaningful connections and is grateful to the program for this opportunity. 

“[The Dance Conservatory] held a clinic when I was in eighth grade, [where] they taught me a dance that I would perform in concert,” Spencer said. “I went to the Synthesis concert and performed [at] it, and all the girls were so welcoming and kind. It was a great experience, and that’s when I knew [that Dance Conservatory] is what I wanted to do.”

Dance Conservatory stands out from other competitive activities. Students of all skill levels are able to join the program and develop their dancing skills through this artistic group. Members of the dance team are welcoming and share a bond similar to that of a family. The successful ONE Concert, which was entirely student-run, showcased the artistic movements of its dancers, with their bodies as their instruments. All Mater Dei students are encouraged to join the conservatory to continue the Mater Dei Performing Arts legacy through their annual showcases. 

“All the people I met [through dance], are my best friends now,” Spencer said. “[Dancing] in [the concert] was amazing with them, and I really wish I could do it all over again.”