Evolution: 20 Years of Dance Excellence

Lisa Yvette WILDER A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Ms. Wilder is the director of Dance at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School - University Connections: School of Design, Arts, & Engineering. Ms. Wilder earned her Bachelor of Science in Dance Education (1990) and Master of Arts in Dance Education (2019) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Ms. Wilder has taught in North Carolina’s Public Schools for thirty-four years. She celebrates 20 years of successfully cultivating the minds of dance students at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School by exposing them to diverse opportunities in the field of dance. Lisa Wilder has a long history of excellence. She worked in Durham Public Schools as a choreographer, founding director of the Hillside High School Dance Department, and as a dance teacher at Neal Middle School. Lisa also taught at Clinton High School in Clinton City Schools, Mooresville Graded School District, and Caldwell County Public Schools.

As a performer, Ms. Lisa is a member of the Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Liturgical Dance Ministry; she was a member of SISTERS “Women of Common Ancestry” (Modern and African Dance Company), and performed with the WORLD DANCE AND DRUM CONFERENCE in the closing ceremonies of the 1994 “National Black Arts Festival” in Atlanta Georgia While attending North Carolina Central University as a vocal major, Lisa performed with the musical group “Spice,” the NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL TOURING CHOIR in “The Spiritual Heritage,” arranged by Howard Roberts at Carnegie Hall in New York City, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and in the popular NCCU homecoming activity “Choir Ball.”

Ms. Wilder is also a member of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), the National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO), and the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD).

SOUTHEAST RALEIGH MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL DANCE DEPARTMENT Spring 2004 - Present

In the Spring of 2004, dance at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School began an exciting transformation from elective classes to a thriving dance program that provides opportunities for young aspiring dance artists to cultivate their craft.

The elective dance class selections grew from two levels to three, adding an honors component to the schedule. The performance group was also moved and became a dance company after school, freeing up the academic schedule for more students to explore dance as an elective.

Programs that enhanced the students’ dance experience blossomed like a flower as the students participated in peer dance mentoring, collaborating with peers and guest artists, field trips, performing, and taking master classes in the community, statewide and nationally.

Dancers practiced after school, on the weekends, and during school breaks. The summer activities include Dance Bootcamp and American Dance Festival Outreach. As part of community outreach, a youth dance clinic was created to allow aspiring dance teachers to work with children ages 5-13.

To allow the classes and Dance Company to share their creativity with the world, thematic dance concerts and showcases became annual events. In 2005, Emerging Arts was created to celebrate student artists from all over the triangle.

In the fall of 2007, the dance company was renamed “E-Motion” Dance Company. This group tailored their performance to all school and community functions that extended invitations.

Giving the students real-world dance experiences makes the Southeast Dance Department unique from other public school dance programs. Field trips to Memphis, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Texas, New York, and Toronto, Canada to take master classes and network is how the magic continues to happen year after year. Opportunities to perform remain numerous to this day. Student dancers have performed nationwide at colleges and universities, amusement parks, festivals, parades, conferences and conventions. The dance department performed at Disney three times, at the 2012 DNC Delegates Breakfast, and at the International Association of Blacks in Dance 2008 Dallas, Texas, and has been in Pieces of Gold 18 times in the past 20 years.

Our alumni all shine in their chosen professions. Educators, dancers, choreographers, journalists, pharmacists, social workers, actors, realtors, and entrepreneurs cultivated their leadership skills as Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School dancers.

As the program continues to evolve, the sky is the limit for all who accept the challenge to become a Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Dancer.

“EVOLUTION” Pre-Show:

Decades of Gold - Documentary By: James Clark

Occasion

Lorraine Wilson Batts

Jubilation (2024) Music: “Celebrate” by Pitbull from the Original Motion Picture “Penguins of Madagascar” Choreography: Intermediate & Proficient Dance

Our Story The World is Watching (1999) Music: “Change Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Wake Up (2015) Music: “All Good People” by Delta Rae Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Reminisce

Memories: Kim Morgan & Latia Holland

Am I Worthy? (2019) Music: “Why” by Jonathan McReynolds Choreography: Jasmine Knight

Video Memory

Mad Music: “Frustrated” by Vivian Green Choreography: Neal Moore SRMHS Dance Company 2005 - 2006

Clubbing (2019) Music: “Shake Your Groove Thang” by Peaches & Herb Choreography: Melvin Sutton

Unrequited Love (2019) Music: “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys Choreography: Nia Mills

Disillusion (2005) Music: “Eye Love U, But Eye Don’t Trust U Anymore” by Prince Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Selfish Questions (2021) Music: “Lost Ones” by Jazmine Sullivan Choreography: Jasmine Knight

Follow My Lead (2023) Music: “All Nite (Don’t Stop)” by Janet Jackson Choreography: Faith White

The Source (2006) Music: “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Searching (2017) Music: “Something is Missing” by Brandy Choreography: Jasmine Knight

10 - minute Intermission Night on the Town (2020) Music: “Steady Love” by India Aire Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Quarantine Cure (2021) Music: “I Need You” by Johnathan Baptist Choreography: Lisa Wilder

Video Memory

Wall Street Music: “Ms. Independent Instrumental/Bleeding Love”

by Ne-Yo/Leona Lewis Choreography: Lisa Wilder Cast of “The Pulse” Concert 2009

Voices (2017) Music: “Human” by Sevdalia Choreography: Jazmine Knight

Hope for the Future (2018) Music: “Prayer for Humanity” by India Arie Choreography: Jasmine Knight

Proud M oments

Queen of Rock and Roll (2024) Music: “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner Choreography: Proficient Honors Dance

Nervous Energy (2012) Music: “Stuttering” by Jasmine Sullivan Choreography: James White

Video Memory

Rhythm City Music: “Let Me Think About It” by Ida Corr, Fedde Le Grand Choreography: Melvin Sutton SRMHS Dance Company 2010 - 2011

Discarded Ones (2017) Music: “Have Mercy” by Eryn Allen Kane Choreography: Faith Henderson

Illumination: Perf ormances Altar Call (2008) Music: “Yes” by Shekinah Glory Ministry Choreography: Lisa Wilder

F inale

Music: “Dangerous” by Ying Yang Twins

DANCERS AND CREW Alumni Dancers

Marcie Hayes Class of 2007

Briana Moore PHARM.D. Class of 2007

Cianna Jackson Class of 2010

Jasmine Knight Class of 2012

Diane Patterson Class of 2017

Lauren Ray Class of 2017

Faith Henderson Class of 2017

JLere Jones Class of 2019

Shamiya Dailey Class of 2019

Ellabelle Smith Class of 2019

Zorriah Raynor Class of 2019

Annessa Horton Class of 2020

Makayla Bentley Class of 2021

Deonna McClain Class of 2021

Jenaya Modeste Class of 2022

Alumni Show Crew

Lorraine Wilson Batts D.N.P, R.N. Class of 2004

Current Dance Students

Tashiyah Lucas Class of 2024

Sallamata Jallow Class of 2025

Sadye Poole Class of 2025

Terrya Montgomery Class of 2025

McKenzie Ford Class of 2026

Jaiden Baker Class of 2026

Faith Byrd Class of 2026

Ivana Jones Class of 2026

Technical Director: Isaiah Wilson of “Iproductions” Lighting Designer: Isaiah Wilson Lighting Engineer: David Winnington Spotlights: Salma Flores, Rashad Brown Sound Engineer: Mariah Chavis Stage Manager: Ivan Peebles Assistant Stage Manager: Kayla McNeil Stage Crew: Ayden Lowery, Semaj Young Hunter, Cosette Woehl, Mahdi Ermaidi, Kamir Freeman, Xander Swan.

Program Cover Design: Art by Jimmy Boston Written Program Organizer: Cianna Jackson Documentary Creators: James Clark, Michelle Logan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Dance Department would like to thank all the dance alumni and current dancers for their unwavering commitment to the success of this program.

SPECIAL THANKS Isaiah Wilson Dr. Briana Moore Dr. Lorraine Wilson Cianna Jackson James Clark Michelle Logan Mr. Harden Ms. Hemphill SRMHS Faculty and Staff SRHS Dance Boosters for giving of their time and talents to ensure the success of this event.