On April 12, 2026, the Houston Repertoire Ballet hosted its annual Celebration of Dance, featuring a standout group of performers, including several students from Cypress Ranch High School, at the new CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center. The performance showcased a mix of classical and contemporary pieces, highlighting both technical skill and the dedication of young dancers in the community.
For sophomore performer Madelyn Crozier, the performance arts center was a new experience.
“It’s definitely an upgrade,” Crozier said. “We used to perform at Tomball High School, so being in this new space is completely different. There’s a lot more room to warm up backstage, we have actual dressing rooms, and we can even watch the show backstage so we know when to get ready. It’s really nice and there are a lot more seats too.”
Beyond the venue, Crozier said performing for a local audience made the experience even more meaningful.
“It’s exciting to perform for people in my community,” Crozier said. “Sometimes people will come up to me later and say they saw me perform, and that’s always really cool.”
The performance featured guest artists as well, adding to the excitement.
“It was really cool to see professionals,” Crozier said. “One of them actually used to dance at our studio, so seeing him come back before retiring was really special.”
Despite the hard work, the experience left lasting memories.
“I’ll definitely remember dancing with my friends,” Crozier said. “A lot of them are graduating, so just getting ready together and performing one last time made it really special.”
Audience members were equally impressed by the production. Junior Olivia Santos described the performance as unforgettable.
“The precision and emotion were incredible,” Santos said. “You could feel the story in every movement. It didn’t feel like a student performance, it felt like something much bigger.”
Sophomore Carmen Calderon agreed, noting the connection between the dancers and the audience.
“There were moments where the whole audience just went silent because everyone was so focused,” Calderon said. “That kind of impact is hard to create, and they did it effortlessly.”
Crozier said audience reactions reflected that same appreciation.
“People were saying they wished it was longer,” she said. “It was something everyone could enjoy, and especially the Rodeo segment, it really showed pride in Texas culture.”
The 2026 Celebration of Dance not only highlighted the talent of Cypress Ranch students but also demonstrated the power of performance to bring a community together.
