By DANICA SILAN
Staff Writer

The University High School (UHS) Dance Company hosted its annual Dance Invitational on January 8 and January 9. Dancers from Newport Harbor High School, Corona Del Mar High School, Brea Olinda High School, Sunny Hills High School, Northwood High School and Huntington High School joined in the performance.
The Dance Invitational provides an opportunity for the different schools’ dance companies to share their work and learn from each other’s dances. The UHS Dance Company also had three adjudicators critique the dances to offer tips on how to improve their execution, fitness and choreography. UHS Dance Company President Anabella Rangel-Sanchez (Sr.) said, “The Dance Invitational tends to be a very stressful time for everyone, but it has always been a great way for us to get inspired by other pieces. Aside from that, the wonderful people on company this year made my last invitation truly special.”
The different schools performed various types of dances. Each school had their own individual style, best captured by Newport Harbor High School’s “Burlesque,” Corona Del Mar’s “Wicked Witch of the West,” and UHS’s “Ghodi Fhactus Liep.” “Burlesque” was a very aggressive, strong number, and “Wicked Witch of the West” clearly told a compelling story; “Ghodi Fhactus Liep” was more of a fun, out-of-the-box dance compared to the technical, straightforward dances that the other companies choreographed.
Christine Ho (Jr.), a member of UHS Dance Company, said, “Invitational is always a great experience to display UHS dance as well as an opportunity for dancers to look at and appreciate pieces from other schools. Every year, we see beautiful pieces and dancers that inspire us to work harder and appreciate the art.”
The UHS Dance Company will have two more shows this year: Dance Showcase and Dance Company’s Annual Spring Show. Dance Showcase is on February 12 and 13, and Dance Company’s Annual Spring Show, “Changement de Vie” is on May 21-23, 28 and 19.