Shawn Jeffrey supports Daedream's "Reel Stuff"

Opera singer and talent manager Shawn Jeffrey raised some voices today when she came to Mauro-Sheridan to conduct a vocal rehearsal for ninety minutes this Friday afternoon.

"I can't see any reason why they can't do what you want them to," she said of the untrained singers who are volunteering to be part of a special segment of the Daedream Show slated for this June.  "They want to, and they will."

This was, of course, in response to the director Ms. Francis' concern that one of the selections for the show may be a bit too much.  The talented singer commented, "This music is no joke.  This is challenging stuff, but I know these young artists are up to it.  We're gonna rock it!"

Of course, the cast members were determined and worked very hard to get the arduous task underway.  And they succeeded, completing several parts at the very basic level...a perfect place to begin.

Soprano Maria Cervantes, a junior at Career High School is the Daedream lead vocalist.  She trains and works with student singers and has a beautiful voice with a lyric quality.  She first listened to the selection we are working on and said, "Ms. Francis!" as if in disbelief.  After our first session on Thursday, she was nodding in approval.  The boys really came through.  And, they showed their stuff on Friday with Ms. Jeffrey as well.

Following the vocal segment on Friday, the cast members remained another hour to work on the dance choreography for the same segment.  "It's a retro piece," Ms. Francis said, "which makes it a bit more tough.  I have faith in them, though.  They're the most amazing people I know."

More coming as we approach the 28th Season Production!

NO DAEDREAM on OCT. 13, 2015.

Teachers have a city-wide Curriculum meeting that day, so Daedream will not be held.  It will resume on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Break Dance Workshop

Some early video of the choreo team getting their break dance on!

Instructor:  Local area artist, Obsidian.

Open House, 2015

Last night at Open House, the choreo team performed "I Have a Dream," a piece created less than a month ago specifically for the event.

Involved in this first performance of 2015-2016 were Co-Directors Torey Robinson and Kevin Kelly; mentors Cheyenne, Shayna, Ronald, Deandre, Radcliffe, and Marlon (Evelyn and Luis on technology, recruitment and support); mentors in training Rayania and Brianna; and choreography team members and upcoming mentors Des'tahnee, JeVaughn and Aissatou.

Many thanks to Mrs. K for allowing Daedream to be part of Open House again this year.

Cheyenne, Kevin and Torey address the parents at Open House on Sept. 29, 2015

Daedream Choreo Team performing at Open House

New Staff shirts on fleek!  (meaning:  New Staff shirts look great!)

What Everyone is Saying About Dance

So just what are they saying?  Read here to find out!

Evelyn, Senior, Career High School, 10-year veteran:
Dance allows your dreams to speak.  I feel free when I'm able to dance it's like a whole different world, within each move there's a meaning.. Dancing isn't just dance, it's the way I express myself . It has been part of my life since I was in second grade, and 10 years later, I'm still in Daedream, which many people ask me, "why do you still do it?"   

"Because this is a part of who I am and who I've grown up to be."

Deandre, Senior, Cooperative Arts High School, 9-year veteran:

Dance is not just about doing movement.  Dance to me is the heart and soul of my body.  My body is my instrument; my instrument of dance is my creative weapon that has been given to me.   I didn't choose to dance, dancing has chosen me.  I sweat, I cry, I dream the love and passion of dance.  I try each & every day to work hard & be a better person & dancer.   Life is hard at times, but I still remain to smile and keep the spirit of dance alive.

Cheyenne, Sophomore, Career High School, 5-year veteran:

Dance is a get away. When I dance, I feel like nothing else matters and that I can be who I am without worrying about what anyone has to say.  It doesn't matter if you dance for a big company or your mirror in your room, you get the same feeling:  passion & love.   I am in Daedream because I love knowing that I have people to talk to or that I can vent to and get advice from.  I also love working with the younger kids and bringing out their talents, especially when they don't know that they have any!

Kevin, Senior, Hillhouse High School, 5-year veteran, Head Choreographer and Program Co-Director:

Dance is not just anything to me, when I dance I dance to live and feel free.  When I move to a certain dance number, it brings joy and creativity to my mind.  I love the feeling of bringing out whatever I feel inside to make it into imagery; it's like whatever I picture, I can bring out and use my body to explain a story and to help others understand the passion I have for dance.  I use dance to motivate myself through life and through obstacles that I go through.   Dance can also explain how the world is today and either make something good or bad in our history to show others.  Showing a routine beginning to end can have balled up emotions in to one big creation.   I know for a fact when I see dance I seem to go to my own world of thoughts, motion pictures, and emotion.   I use my own world to bring out the best in me.   Dance is what I live for and will always be by my side

Tyrese, Senior, Hyde Leadership Academy, 5-year veteran:

Dance is a symbol of Life.  Dance allows you to think big and free yourself upon the world ...You dance to express yourself and to show the world who you are and what you love to do.  Dance allows you to be yourself and enjoy life, doing what you love.  Dance helps you in more ways then one ... Dance Is One Thing You Can Truly Love!

Torey, College Sophomore, Gateway Community College, 5-year veteran and Program Co-Director:

Dance is just one of those things that found me.  It was door to being free and feeling safe to express my feelings beyond my words.  For some reason, when I dance I feel as if dance is this person who understands me at my high and my lows of myself.  It’s like, whatever emotion or situation you have going in your life, you can let it out when you're moving.  At least for me, it always felt as if I can tell a story from the start to the finish, while you're creating images or animations that shows your audience every detail.  Just like anything else you love to do, there is always a big “why?”  

Why do I dance? I dance because life is too short to give up on your biggest desire in life and too long to waste not improving on your talent.  I dance because without it, I feel empty and out of place. I feel like a person that is dying of thirst but he doesn't notice there's a full glass of water in front of him and is letting something hold him back from reaching the water. 

Therefore, you choose what to pursue in life, knowing that whatever you do is something that's valuable to you or something that's making do for you at the moment.

Want to have your thoughts on dance included here?  Just click the word "comments" below and add your own sentiments!