The experience of performing in a professional venue, alongside contemporary dancers and choreographers, was very special for the students involved, who included Jesse Birdsall '10, Tolulope Edionwe '11, Henry Elliman '10, Naja Gordon '11, Charlotte Lindemann '11, Cole McNamee '11, Samuel Pratt '10, Raella Rayside '10, Charlotte Rosenberg '10, Abigail Struhl '10, Amadi Washington '10), and Margaret Weiler '10. As Edionwe commented, "It felt cool to be immersed in such a professional dance environment, and to feel confident enough to be a part of the festival!"

The Cool Festival provided a unique opportunity for students to be exposed to the grace, teamwork, and confidence that performing requires, and they worked with professional intensity to put on a great show. As Weinert described, one stranger approached him after the show to say that he'd had no idea the Dalton students were high schoolers until reading the program at the end of the performance. The dancers were thrilled with the exceptional experience Dalton provided them, and look forward to sharing their work within the Dalton community this spring at Dalton's annual Dance Theater Workshop.