![It was definitely out of my comfort zone to get [the dress] and decide I loved it enough not to wait and risk not having something that memorable.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Precious_20180902_JRS_00008_ed1.jpg)
![Sophomore Sahasra Mandalapu practices bharatanatyam choreography in class. These new dances will be performed in an annual show in February. Mandalapu found that practicing in class helped her overcome stage fright during her performances. “When [I] get on stage, Im nervous Im going to forget, even though Ive done it for so long,” Mandalapu said. “Theres still that little bit of stage fright [when] I second-guess myself that I dont know it enough, but I do because Ive been practicing for a whole year.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sahasra-6-Large-1200x844.jpeg)
![In their full runway outfits, (from left) Audrey Lee 25, Olivia Lucy Teets, 25, Fashion Design teacher Ms. Judy Chance, and Xueying Lili Yang pose for a photo. All three girls made it to Austin Fashion Week by getting in the top 10 in a previous runway show held by Shop LC.
[I like my students] creativity and how they can look at a fabric and make it their own, Ms. Chance said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9686-e1714088765730-1129x1200.jpeg)
![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
Tens of thousands of eyes stare at the pink lights and sparkles flashing across the stage. Lasers beam around the stadium while the audience screams. Standing there, dance alumnus (from the class of 2017) Darius Hickman performs alongside Beyoncé on stage at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Hickman had his first big break in 2018, after making it to the top six on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Since then, he has continued to dance and teach classes, all while touring and performing with music artists. In 2019, he performed with Melanie Martinez during her K-12 tour. More recently, Hickman joined Beyoncé for her Renaissance tour.
(Photo Courtesy of Darius Hickman)
“Both tours required me to present my best self and do my best work,” Hickman said. “Of course Melanie felt more like the preparation for Beyoncé. It was a taste of what I would be able to do in the future.”
Many students saw him on tour, including some who have met and learned from him through dance lessons in Palm Beach County. Dance senior Ava Kelly had the chance to participate in his workshops and master classes.
“Seeing him dance on stage was so cool because you saw his personality and performance quality shine through,” Kelly said. “He didn’t look nervous at all even though he was dancing in front of so many people. When he’s dancing, you only look at him, no matter if it’s in a small studio space or in a stadium with thousands of people.”
Other students who attended also witnessed Hickman’s performance quality. Despite some of the audience members not having a background in dance, his solo still made an impact.
“I really loved when she let them (the backup dancers) shine,” communications junior Jason Monaco said. “I remember she let some of her dancers, like Darius, have that moment in the light. It was truly amazing to watch.”
For Hickman, dancing in high school is what marked the beginning of his dance career, saying that “being exposed to so many different styles at such an early age was pivotal for (him) to be able to do what (he does) now.” His dance teachers and current students recognize the school as a pathway for opportunities.
(Photo Courtesy of Darius Hickman)
“I feel Dreyfoos gives the young dancer the professional skills to move forward in the professional world,” dance teacher Garry Lewis said. “All four years I saw Darius grow, and grow, and grow in all areas of dance. To see him on tour with Beyoncé was meant to be.”
From dancing on national television for “So You Think You Can Dance” to touring with Melanie Martinez to performing with Beyoncé in front of over 50,000 people, Hickman says he has “lived so many dance lives over the past six years.”
“I’ve learned even more about dance than I thought I could, whether it be through people, new styles, and even traveling,” Hickman said. “I’ve definitely become more versatile in my movement too, being more comfortable with my body as I get older. I have a drive to push myself to do more, reach bigger goals, and dream bigger dreams. I’m excited to see where life takes me, and I’m ready to enjoy the journey to get there.”
This story was originally published on The Muse on November 5, 2023.
