BACKThe word Odyssey represents a journey through shifting seasons, ending exactly where we are meant to be. This year, our dancers walked that path together – from our Year 9s taking the stage for the first time to our Year 13s exploring growth and change through their own choreography. Odyssey brought together a seamless fusion of curricular classes and co-curricular companies, highlighting the skill, creativity, and hard work nurtured within the Rangitoto College dance programme across styles like contemporary, jazz, lyrical, Latin, commercial, hip hop, cultural dance, and musical theatre.
To open the show, all 101 Rangitoto Dance Company members kicked off the night with a high-energy, ten-minute Michael Jackson medley choreographed by student leaders. Throughout the evening, our 8 co-curricular groups also showcased their spectacular, award-winning student pieces. Our junior dancers brought incredible confidence. The three Year 9 classes thrilled with numbers set to a Pop Muzik remix, Grease, and The Lion King. Our expanded Year 10 cohort of 112 students made a massive impact with a vibrant Samoan Sāsā, a contemporary piece to Geronimo, and an upbeat Mamma Mia! routine.
In the senior school, Year 11s showcased their range across Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and an explosive Hip Hop routine by guest teacher Asia Atatoa. Year 12s demonstrated exceptional versatility in Latin Jazz, Musical Theatre, and a funky Commercial Jazz piece by alumni Hanae Choi. Our graduating Year 13 cohort delivered high-calibre performances that reflected months of dedication. Alongside routines choreographed by Mrs Brighton and Hanae Choi, students presented their NCEA Level 3 assessment pieces. This required them to take full ownership of the creative process, designing their own choreography, sound, lighting, and costumes. Performing across multiple numbers throughout the night, these Year 13 dancers exemplified our school values and the true essence of the showcase.
Dance has a unique power to move us, connect us, and take us somewhere else for a while. As the saying goes, “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” A heartfelt thank you goes to our performers, supportive staff, guest tutors, and enthusiastic audience who made Odyssey such a memorable success.
