Category: Arts & Entertainment

by Lily Roberti ’24

Sem Dance Company’s hard work pays off once again! Months of dedicated rehearsals culminated in the forty-third annual Dance Show over the second weekend in May. Dance Works was a result of Bernadine Vojtko’s enthusiasm and commitment and a company of twenty-two talented dancers. 

This year, alumni dancers Samantha Barcia ‘22, Brennan Twardowski ‘10, Robert Zaloga ‘20, and Jennifer Zemetro ‘22 brought their abilities back to Sem. Highlights include Robert Zaloga and Lucy Lew ‘24 as a shockingly talented duo in “Pas de Deux and Coda from Le Corsaire” and Jennifer Zemetro and Sam Barcia performing a moving duet called “Cringe.” The Sem Dance program is lucky to continue to have dancers who return year after year because they love the company so much. 

This year, the dance show brought something different to the table. The entire second act was comprised of Billy Joel songs- all performed by a live singer and band at the back of the stage. Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz ‘14 shared his phenomenal voice on our stage, and Tyler Harvey ‘13 coordinated and played saxophone in the band. Dancer Reece Fisher ‘25 says, “We’re so excited to have worked with live music this year instead of tracks. We know that the uniqueness of Noah’s performance brought many people to the show, and working with a live band is such an amazing opportunity to really feel the music as you’re dancing.” Eight senior girls and boys performed a 50’s-esque couple’s piece to Billy Joel’s “Christie Lee.” Senior athletes Michael Vodzak, Louis Michaels, Que Riggins, and Kwashaun Williams bounced between sports practice and the dance studio to allow this piece to happen. The act closed with “The Entertainer,” where all dancers returned to the stage to perform a heartwarming finale together. 

This year, six upperclassmen were given the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces. Lucy Lew ‘24, Molly Kopetchny ‘24, Lily Roberti ‘24, Kara Perzia ‘24, Abigail Lott ‘25, and Reece Fisher ‘25 shared what they’d learned since the fall in Mrs. Vojtko’s class, ‘Choreographer’s Workshop.’ Kara Perzia, who choreographed a jazz piece to Lady Gaga’s “Applause” with Lily Roberti, says, “I had so much fun with this piece! I was able to work with four talented dancers and it has been so great to watch my vision come together on stage. Creating a dance from scratch has taught me so much about what Mrs. Vojtko does and allowed me to be a part of the other side of the dance show.” All of the choreographers worked with brilliant lighting designer Jonathan Vojtko ‘11 to bring their pieces to life. 

Dance Works was a beautiful testament to the art that can be made when all different people put their talents together. Between diligent alumni, peer and outside choreographers, student athletes, skilled musicians, and, of course, Mrs. Vojtko, Sem’s forty-third annual dance performance was a massive success!

The antics of the cast of The Play that Goes Wrong kept audiences laughing for 3 performances this spring.

Sem performed the the regional premiere of the show! We were the first in the area! No adults or high schools have done it in NEPA!

by Abby Ryu ’26

As the school year comes to a close, life on campus seems to inversely get busier as most extracurricular groups hold important end of the year events. One of said events is the annual Spring concert, which was presented by the Wyoming Seminary Music Department on Saturday May 4 in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts (KCCA). This concert was the last large performance for those in the music department, allowing students in the music department to showcase their immense effort throughout the school year. Chloe Caputo ‘26, a member of both the Chorale and Band as well as the two smaller ensembles, Madrigals and Jazz Band, echoes this sentiment: “The Spring concert is such a rewarding way for us to display our growth. We’ve all worked very hard and come a long way since the beginning of the year.”

The evening started off at 5 P.M. with an exciting performance by the Band. Directed by Tyler Harvey, the group performed a large variety of compositions: from fantastical pieces like Ralph Ford’s impish but forceful Dark Adventure, to bold modern arrangements, such as Hugh Stuart’s triumphant A Hymn for Band. Following this performance was a mini reception in the lobby; Guests replenished their energy with delicious snacks while the Wyoming Seminary jazz band provided background music. 

The Chorale and Madrigals, as well as the String performances commenced at 6 P.M. Similarly to the Band performance, audience members also experienced a wide range of music from these ensembles. The String ensemble, notably, delivered a very impressive finish to the concert with the classical piece Carnival of the Animals by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The Chorale, including the Madrigals, also dazzled the audience with a broad selection of songs, including chilling songs of praise like Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Ave Maria as well as upbeat folk songs like Walter Ehret’s arrangement of Cindy. Dr. Daniel Hall, Chorale Director at Wyoming Seminary specifically comments on his favorite part of the concert: “It’s really cool to hear everyone performing, especially, my arrangement of Shall We Gather At the River. It’s exciting to hear SEM singers bring it to life.” 

The Music Department’s Spring Concert brought the community together to commemorate the hard work of students, but also to appreciate music by specifically showcasing its beautifully diverse variety. The concert served as an unforgettable finale for the 2023-2024 year and left both the audience, as well as the performers, in excited anticipation for what’s to come next year!