Movement to Music this year will focus on the ideas of equality, empowerment and hope.

The annual event is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in the auditorium. An entry donation of $2 is suggested. 

Movement to Music has been a pivotal tool teacher Michael Burnett uses in his Speech Arts class to help students develop self-confidence. The students come together in several groups and choose a song that reflects the chosen theme to then create an energetic performance.

The performances will be full of high energy and collectively celebrate the strength in the diversity at DHS. This will be followed by a sneak preview of DHS Productions’ 2018 musical, Disney’s High School Musical.

The theme of  Equality, Empowerment, and Hope was chosen, “because we need it,” Burnett simply stated.

Movement to Music  has been put on for over a decade and continues to be more than a class project. This production elevates Speech Arts outside of theater games and improvisation to work on communication skills and self-esteem.

This event showcases students who are natural performers and students who ultimately overcome their insecurities. “It is really ultimately a fun way to break through issues of self-confidence or help students break out of their shell but in a fun way,” Burnett said.

Burnett added that the transformation he witnesses in his most shy students make it worthwhile. “Some students are very reluctant when I announce the assignment, but I have not seen anyone upset that they have participated after the fact.”

It is senior Jherri Garcia’s second time taking this course. “This class gave me the chance to get out of my shell and meet new people. The school is so big, so you’re surrounded by people in your classes. When I started this class I was shy and anxious and I wouldn’t really talk to anyone. Now I’ve made new friends and I’m comfortable with participating in the activities.”

Burnett emphasizes that Speech Arts is not a dance class Movement to Music but simply the avenue that is taken to showcase self-expression.

“I love to see students understand that it’s not a dance class and have the willingness to take a healthy risk and get up on stage to perform because at that point it’s not about the dancing, it’s about the communication that happens along the way,” Burnett said.