A school assembly was held on Friday, December 19, for Reed Intermediate School students participating in the Pilobolus At Newtown, an After School Arts Program (ASAP), to perform with two Pilobolus dancers ahead of a scheduled performance for family and friends that night.

Pilobolus, a one-of-a-kind American modern dance company, has been performing around the world for more than 40 years.

The Pilobolus instructors and representatives have been working with Reed students since near the start of the 2014-15 school year, when all students at Reed were given the opportunity to be taught by Pilobolus dance instructors before the after school program began.

“You’re in for a great performance this afternoon,” said Reed Intermediate School Principal Anne Uberti at the start of the assembly on Friday.

ASAP Executive Director JoAnne Torti and Pilobolus Education Coordinator Emily Kent also introduced the assembly to the performance.

Ms Torti thanked the Sandy Hook School Foundation for making the program possible.

Ms Kent introduced Pilobolus dancers Matt Del Rosario and Sayer Mansfield, who have been working with students through Pilobolus At Newtown. Mr Rosario and Ms Mansfield also performed during the assembly.

Reed students who participated in the Pilobolus at Newtown program were introduced at the start of the performance. Ms Kent led them through warming up and announced which dances the students were performing.

“Thank you to the performers and [Mr Rosario] and [Ms Mansfield],” Ms Kent said at the end of the program.

The performance later that night was open to the public.