By Brie Wyant ’26

The Spring Dance Concert will take the stage on May 9 at 7:30 p.m., offering an exciting and dynamic performance that promises something for everyone. Mercersburg's Director of Dance, Kelsy Rupp said this year’s concert highlights a wide range of styles, from classical ballet to high-energy hip-hop.

Audience members can expect a versatile program featuring professionally choreographed works by guest artists and our resident faculty. Among the standout pieces are a Horton technique work by Elizabeth Buchheister, a choreographer and producer from the Ailey School, and a jazzy contemporary ballet piece by Olivia Ratliff, artistic director of Southern Appalachian Dance Collective. The concert will close with a surprise hip-hop finale set to throwback hits from Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” complete with cool costumes that are sure to be a crowd favorite.

According to Rupp, the process of building the concert begins months in advance. “It’s a collaborative effort between me and our adjunct faculty,” she explained. “We start planning in the fall, thinking about themes and music. From there, we shape how the whole performance will come together.”

This year's concert is especially meaningful for Rupp, as it features her first group of four-year seniors, students who began their dance journey at Mercersburg when she first joined the faculty. “They’re a really special group,” she said. “The dancers have been working incredibly hard, and it's shaping up to be one of my favorite concerts.”

Student dancer Sophie Koroma ’26 shared her enthusiasm as a newcomer to the program. “This is my first term trying dance, and I love it,” she said. “It has been such a fun and supportive experience. I really feel like I can express myself.”

With a mix of technical excellence, artistry, and energy, the Spring Dance Concert is set to be an event worth attending for families, friends, and the broader community.