Dance

On March 15 and 16, Viewpoint presented Spring Dance Concert 2024, an inspiring culmination of Co-Directors and Choreographers Mandy Bahnuik and Gabrielle Brown, and their students’ hard work, showcasing the power of dance to bring together a diverse group of young minds while exhibiting blossoming individual talents.

Featuring 17 pieces in two acts, audiences in our iconic Carlson Family Theater witnessed the physical prowess of our dancers, while connecting with the emotional depth embedded in each performance. 

 “Our dance concert serves as a testament to the power of artistic exploration and the profound impact it has on the holistic development of our students,” said Mandy Bahnuik. “In the realm of dance we find a language that transcends words, allowing us to communicate emotions, stories, and ideas in a unique and powerful way.”

“The dance concert is not just about striving for the perfect pirouette or the flawless lift - it also is about learning what to do when things don’t go as expected,” said Gabrielle Brown. “The students get to experience what is so exciting about live performances, thinking on their feet, and adapting challenges in real time.”

With inspiring and intricate choreography, set to a wide variety of music, the concert also included breathtaking costumes and lighting design. Dance Ensembles included Viewpoint Dance Company, Upper School Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Tap, and Lower School, Featured, and Partner Dancers.

After countless hours in Viewpoint’s dance studio and tireless dedication to the craft, Kaylyn Robertson ’24 is now preparing for several prominent roles in the upcoming performance of The Nutcracker on December 16 and 17 at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center.

Since her earliest memories, Robertson has immersed herself in the world of dance. While for some, dancing may be just a pastime, for Robertson, it's more than a hobby—it's a way of life.

“I first started dancing when I was three years old. My mom put me in classes and I stuck with it all the way until now,” said Robertson.

“Kaylyn is one of the most dedicated dance students and academic students. Her time management skills are amazing,” said Viewpoint Dance Teacher Gabrielle Brown.

Kaylyn's unwavering devotion to her artistry has fueled success in all her pursuits. Apart from participating in the Viewpoint dance program, she also devotes her time to the Pacific Festival Ballet.

“I practice six out of seven days a week every week except for holidays,” added Robertson. “As far as the Nutcracker is concerned, we are fully immersed in the rehearsal process—Tuesdays, Fridays, and sometimes Saturdays for me”

"Kaylyn has secured some truly impressive leading roles this year. She's taking on the challenging characters of the Snow Queen, Marzipan, and a Snow Fairy," said Brown.

Although Kaylyn doesn’t plan on pursuing a professional career in dance, she still plans on incorporating it into her college experience.

"I don't anticipate majoring in dance, but hopefully, I can pursue a minor or join one of the dance programs to continue performing," said Robertson. "I love it and it has been a huge part of my life for the past 14 years."

“Working with Kaylyn has been delightful and I’m so sad that she’s graduating,” said Brown. “We’re all so proud of her and look forward to witnessing all that she will continue to accomplish.”

On Thursday, November 30, the joyful sounds of children’s voices filled the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Kavli Theater, as Viewpoint’s Primary and Lower School students presented their holiday program, “Season of Light.” 

With enthusiastic and heartfelt performances from each of the classes, as well as the Primary and Lower School Choruses and Dancers, and the Advanced Fifth Grade Strings, the audience delighted in the spirit of the season. In addition to music and dance performances, narrators from the Fifth Grade class shared holiday traditions practiced by cultures around the world and delivered holiday sentiments in eight different languages - Mandarin, Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian, American Sign Language, Hebrew, Armenian and Russian.

“I’m thoroughly impressed with all of the students, music teachers and background staff. Every person knows their portion of the program and it comes together just right,” said Marisa McLeod, Teacher of Instrumental Music in the Suzuki Program. “There’s a particular joy that everyone gets out of participating in this event and it’s heartwarming to watch the kids experience so much satisfaction at the end of it all.”

Viewpoint’s dance teacher Gabrielle Brown, a former soloist with American Ballet Theater, choreographed excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, performed by the Lower School Dancers, led by Kaylyn Robertson ’24, Jordan Aaronson ’26, Chloe Brendle ’26, Charlotte Hariton ’26, and Finn Harrington ’29.

"Attending this performance for the second year in a row has become a much-anticipated tradition for us. The children's impressive presentation never fails to put a smile on our face, and truly captures the holiday spirit," expressed Dimpal Shah, a Viewpoint Parent. 

The holiday program concluded with Viewpoint’s Giving of the Greens prepared by the VSSA. This annual tradition, in which each child receives a beautiful spray of greens, represents the School’s abiding belief in the continual growth of each student and the warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season.