Cara Buck ‘29
Feb 20, 2026
On February 7 and 8, Mercersburg Academy’s Pre-Professional Dance Team traveled to Altoona, Pennsylvania to attend the Motion Dance Competition and Convention at the Grier School. Competing against talented dancers from across the region, the team showcased pieces they have been refining since the fall term. This annual contest is the only event in which Mercersburg Dance competes against other teams.
Preparing for a competition requires a different approach than preparing for a performance at home. Caroline Hobbs ’26 compared the experience to sports: “When you are preparing for a show, it’s like having home-field advantage. It’s different at a competition because we are going up against dancers who have experienced that stage. Especially at Grier, the stage really differs from the stage here.” Performing in an unfamiliar environment challenged the dancers to quickly adapt their spacing, formations, and stage presence.
Dance Captain Manika Dalai ’26 emphasized another key difference: the audience. She said, “You’re also preparing for different eyes. Because at home, the majority of the audience doesn’t understand dance or technique, whereas at the competition, you’re being judged by professional dancers.” As a result, rehearsals shifted from focusing primarily on entertainment to refining technique and precision.
Dance Director Kelsy Rupp noted the team’s greatest challenge: “I wish we had more time to perfect our dances and to get our team dancing and working together.” Despite the limited time to adjust and the added pressure of a professional setting, the dancers still managed to rise to the occasion and display the best versions of themselves and their art.
Expressing optimism about the team’s growth, Paris Zhang ’27 said, “Even though we only rehearsed for a few months and the first time entering as a group performance, I think we were pretty well prepared.”
The frigid weekend proved highly successful, earning commendations for all five pieces entered.
Sub Oculus, a contemporary piece choreographed by Rupp, won Gold ranking and 1st place in the Senior Duo/Trio category.
15 Months, choreographed by Hobbs, also won Gold ranking and 1st place in the Senior Group category. The piece represented the themes of community, hope, and belonging.
I Miss You, choreographed by Michela Smallwood, won Gold ranking and 2nd place in the Senior Group category.
Long Ride Home, choreographed by Rupp, won Silver ranking and 3rd place in the Senior Group category.
The last commended piece was Hey Pachuco, choreographed by Tara Nalley, originally featured in the Fall Dance concert, which earned Silver ranking.
Individual dancers were also recognized for their excellence. Dalai was selected as a member of the Motion Elite Dance Company for the weekend and received a 100% scholarship to Point Park University's International Summer Dance Program, along with a $250 scholarship to Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance Summer Intensive. Renee Jin ’26 was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Motion Dance Convention in 2027.
Rupp reflected, “Jocelyn Hrzic always throws a fantastic event with great guest artists. We love attending and being a part of their dance community.”
The Motion Competition and Convention marked not only a weekend of competition but also a meaningful step for the development of the Mercersburg Pre-Professional Dance team.