Sophia Mielke ‘25
Nov 1, 2024
Celia Kerf ‘25 is a year-round participant in Mercersburg’s dance program as well as a Dance Captain and National Honors Society for Dance Arts member.
Kerf enjoys Mercersburg’s dance program because of the wide array of opportunities it provides her, offering students a variety of styles to learn and perform, such as ballet, modern, and jazz, to name but a few. “I really like how many performances we do each year,” said Kerf. “The program is really versatile and I feel like I've gotten a lot better at hip-hop especially because I didn't used to do that style.”
However, hip-hop is not the only area that Kerf has improved upon. “Her ballet technique has grown so much in the past year and a half,” said the director of dance, Kelsy Rupp. While Rupp can only comment on Kerf’s performance and growth over the past three years, her words speak volumes. “Celia demonstrates exemplary flexibility between all of these styles of dance. Artistry-wise, she is leaps and bounds from where she was three years ago,” said Rupp.
In terms of her growth, Kerf said, “One of my accomplishments is being able to attend summer programs and performing there as well.” Celia is also very proud of her induction as an upper-middler into the National Honors Society for Dance Arts chapter at Mercersburg Academy. In order to gain this distinction, a dancer must list all of her accomplishments in and for the art of dance. Each contribution to the art is worth a specified number of points, and a dancer must reach 30 points to be inducted. “It’s been really cool to track and see everything I’ve done and continue to do for dance,” said Kerf.
In addition to her performances at Mercersburg, Kerf states, “I really liked competing at Grier and the Regional High School Dance Festival in Norfolk, VA.” These opportunities were offered to the pre-professional group of dancers in the program, of which Celia is a long-standing member. “Celia is a very committed and disciplined dancer and she is always ready to work,” said Rupp.
Rupp also noted the initiative that Kerf shows in choreography, commenting that she is always thinking two steps ahead. “Her ability to ask questions is her biggest strength. She is very detail-oriented; she wants to do things right, and her ability to break things down and ask questions is like her little superpower,” said Rupp.
Kerf also feels that the Mercersburg dance program has prepared her well for dance opportunities outside of the school and she will continue to share her talents wherever she ends up next. “I’m applying to a lot of colleges to double major in dance, but otherwise I would minor and do a dance team,” said Kerf. “I’m working with her now on her senior portfolio, and her senior solo. I’m so proud of how much of a go-getter she has really turned out to be. She’s ready to go,” said Rupp.
The Fall Dance Concert Is coming up on November 9. “I’m hoping to do a solo in the fall [dance concert] and be a part of guest artist pieces to make the most of my time here,” said Kerf.