Dist. 214 Orchesis groups in national festival

Wheeling and Prospect high schools’ Orchesis groups have been selected to perform two works each at the biannual National High School Dance Festival in Miami in April. More than 180 dances were submitted from the best fine arts, magnet, and public schools.

Wheeling is the only public, non-magnet school in the country to have been selected to perform in four consecutive festivals — 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. “Fio, Fio, Fioletta,” choreographed by artist Brandon DiCriscio, will be performed in the GALA concert in Miami’s 1,800-seat Gusman Theatre. Lizzie MacKenzie Pontarelli’s dance “Immemorial” also will be performed at an additional concert in the festival.

In its first audition, Prospect High School submitted and had two works selected for festival performance as well. “Solace,” choreographed by Nick Pupillo, founder of Visceral Dance Center Chicago, was selected for performance at one of two GALA concerts. The other dance, “Off the Axis,” was choreographed by Stephanie Kies and Aleks Schillmoeller and selected to be performed at the Outstanding Student Choreography Showcase.