Say co-nominators Shannon Perogino of Holy Cross Catholic School and TK Danceworx Competitive Team, “Ethan Bucholtz is a grade 12 student who has exuded passion and dedication to dance since the moment we met him. Outside of our secondary school performing arts community, Ethan rehearses 5-6 days a week in various genres at his own studio, TK Danceworx. Driving an hour to school each way, Ethan makes it a priority to join all dance opportunities provided at the school . Many students choose to keep their dance studio and school lives separate but instead, Ethan breathes dance between both. He has been a member of the competitive Dance Team at Holy Cross since grade 9, performs as a triple threat in the annual school productions, and is a peer leader in his ATC20/3M/4M courses. Even after Ethan received shoulder surgery, he felt compelled to cheer on his peers on their trip to STRIVE Dance Challenge’s dance intensive. He managed to complete his physiotherapy in time to compete last April, winning top Duo-Trio of the competition. Ethan radiates teamwork and ensures that all dancers feel welcome. He is committed to the team, school, and his peers, never missing a chance to support dance. His most recent performance for our Remembrance Day Ceremony was especially heartfelt. Ethan used his dance platform to raise awareness for PTSD during a powerful performance about a soldier returning from work overseas that was performed for our community. He choreographed his role so well, it left audiences in tears. He danced from his heart and captivated his peers. Ethan showed the Holy Cross community that dance is a universal language.
In high school, Ethan has become a leader and an inspiration to his male and female schoolmates alike. This past fall, Holy Cross produced Disney’s Newsies, a highly technical dance show. From the moment we stepped foot on the stage, Ethan became the caring, older brother that the cast members didn’t know they had. He took students who have never danced before, creating tools to give them confidence. He is a true coach and an incredible choreographer. Prior to Newsies, Ethan took the role of a peer mentor in all three of his dance curriculum courses, helping others through their solo work, building confidence, and spreading the love for his art. This semester, he has already started choreographing for our school dance team and ran an impeccable audition series in October. Ethan has the ability to explain movement in accessible ways for all bodies to master. He has truly become the face of dance at Holy Cross Secondary.
Come and congratulate Ethan at DanceWeekend on Sunday, January 27, 2019!