Cameron Ormsby

This year, a lone boy stands out among a sea of women. The advanced dance class, which last year boasted having three boys, is now down to only one. Kyle Yager, the sole boy in advanced dance, is not bothered. After all, he is used to it.

His dancing career started when his parents enrolled his brother in classes at Karen's Dance Studio in Greenfield. He soon joined his brother at the studio. While his brother ultimately dropped out, Yager persevered and found that what had started as an after-school hobby was quickly becoming a passion.

By the age of eight, Yager was entering competitions in both jazz and tap. Even then he was also the only male dancer in the class. "During middle school I got a lot of flak for being a dancer," he said. "But now I'm so glad that I stuck with it."

Over the years, Yager has been involved in a wide range of productions. His pre-Deerfield experiences included yearly recitals and the frequent competitions. Now he participates in showcases every term, as well as doing numerous student choreographed pieces. At least one of these pieces is done every year with Bentley Rubinstein '05.

While Yager has been interested in all forms of dance, tap will remain his favorite. "One of the things that bothered me when I first came to Deerfield was the lack of a good tap dance program," he said. Undeterred by this obstacle, he pursued creating a tap class on Saturdays for a year.

Now Yager's focus is primarily on the upcoming production in advanced dance. This trimester, the choreography will divide the dancers into different sections such as jazz and modern, and will allow those sections to interact with each other on stage. "Since we have such an eclectic group this year, we wanted a piece that shows off all our talents," Yager explained.

The normal routine for dance class is a simple one. The dancers spend two or three days learning new movements. Each week, at least two classes are dedicated to the modem style. Director of Dance Jennifer Whitcomb's specialty. The block period on Thursday focuses on ballet. A portion of each class must be allotted to stretching and keeping the students limber for their performances.

Yager has mixed feelings about being the only male in the class. He loves working with such talented women and never feels awkward around them. He particularly enjoys their professional attitude towards dance and the dedication with which they pursue it. On the other hand, the situation does have its drawbacks.

"I really miss Greg Daggett and Jerome Brathwaite from last year. It's just nice to have some other guys in the class. Someone to share a joke with, knowing the girls won't get it," Yager laughed.

The important thing is to stick with it, despite what other people say. "My grandfather used to tell me that I was incredibly lucky, because I got to be surrounded by beautiful women. That's what I'd tell any male dancer. Just stick with it," Yager said. "I know I'll always be tapping."

Yager plans to continue dancing after Deerfield. Although dance will not be his major course of study, he will find a way to fit it into his schedule.

The near future also holds something exciting, a tap event. Along with Bentley and Ansley Rubinstein '06, Yager is planning a forty-five minute tapping experience. Instead of the customary sequence of short performances which characterize a tap recital, they are planning one large performance. Complete with music from English teacher Peter Nilsson, it will have a beginning, a climax, and an end, something unique and exciting. "We're trying to have it together by mid-spring," Yager said. "I already know it's going to be incredible."