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A product of sheer hard work, self-discipline, and enthusiasm, the En Pointe Youth Dance Company’s spring show “Young Syncopations” brings together six pieces, each with a unique style of choreography.  

This is their fourth annual spring show. The show is completely produced by youth. Sixteen year-olds Joanna Poz-Molesky and Anne Rigney founded the company in 2000, consisting of dancers ages 12-18. The dancers have trained at schools including Berkeley Ballet Theater, Berkeley City Ballet, Piedmont Ballet, East Bay School of the Arts, Dance Space and others. Members of the company choreographed all six pieces. 

The music sets the mood and the black tutus set the look for the first piece, entitled “Sentimientos” and choreographed by Gemma Stuart. The piece consists of four movements: a solo, a duet, a quartet, and a finale. The soloist, Sara Real, lights up the stage with her impressive jumps. The use of fans and beaming smiles in the duet, danced by Elizabeth Gow and Imogene Roach, add to the exciting movements and Spanish theme.  

The show changes pace quickly with a hip-hop trio next on the program. Performed to Usher’s “Yea,” and choreographed collaboratively by Mollie Gilles-Strain, Stuart, and Real, this piece demonstrates the versatility of the dancers. Their musicality and punctuation of the movement is awesome. Each one dances with a unique style, but there’s a consistent playful attitude that comes through to the audience throughout the dance. The dance incorporates some crowd-pleasing gymnastics as well. 

“I have a secret passion for hip-hop,” said Gilles-Strain. “It’s the complete opposite of ballet. In ballet you’ve got to be lifted, and in hip-hop, you’re grounded.” 

The next piece, “April Showers,” choreographed by Rigney, is easy to watch with the dancers in white, flowing dresses. The first section (out of five) is slow and serene, providing contrast to the exhausting petite allegro trio, which follows it. This piece is packed with challenging movement, including quick jumps and fuetés, and is very well staged.  

“Kissing You,” choreographed by Tenaya Kelleher, was performed during last year’s En Pointe show, and is being reset this year, with a live vocalist and pianist accompanying the dance. The choreography is a mixture of abstract modern and ballet and is performed by Stuart, Poz-Molesky, and Brie Connor.  

“Carnival,” choreographed by Sophie Bridgers, Theodora Boguszewki, and Linnea Snyderman, is a contemporary piece with funky turned-in moves that are skillfully executed. The vibrant colored skirts, handmade by Poz-Molesky, add an aesthetic appeal.  

The show finishes with “Pajaro Enjuavlado (Cageling),” choreographed by Poz-Molesky. The first movement of the piece is danced to Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” and has a somber, lyrical quality. The dancers move elegantly in long black or white skirts. The climactic group finale concludes the show. 

The company and production is funded solely on donations from local businesses and supporters.  

“The show gets better every year,” said both Poz-Molesky and Rigney. “Since the first year, it has improved one hundred percent.”  

If you’re looking for an evening of original choreography and visible passion for dance, En Pointe has a show for you. 

En Pointe Dance Company performs “Young Syncopations” Friday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Roda Theater on Addison Street in Berkeley. $6/ $8. For information write to enpointedance@yahoo.com.