High School Dancers Find Identity and Connection at Regional Festival

The Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival offers students a chance to explore movement, culture, and self-expression.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:33pm

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At the 2026 Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival in Vancouver, Washington, student dancer Sanvi Porwal discovered that dance is about more than just technique - it's a way to explore identity, culture, and human connection. Through classes in styles like Afro-Funk, Cuban Modern, and Afro-Contemporary, Porwal and her classmates from Harvard-Westlake's dance program were pushed to bring their own artistic voices and personal experiences into the movement, rather than just copying choreography.

Why it matters

The Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival provides an important opportunity for young dancers to expand their horizons beyond just technical mastery. By centering classes around themes of culture, identity, and intention, the festival encourages students to see dance as a means of self-expression and connection, not just performance. This shift in perspective can have a profound impact on how these students approach and appreciate the art form going forward.

The details

Over the four-day festival, Porwal and her classmates took a wide range of classes that went beyond just teaching movement. In an Afro-Funk class with instructor Kemba Shannon, they were encouraged to feel grounded in the earth through their dancing. And in a Cuban Modern Contemporary class with Maray Gutierrez, students were told not to just copy the choreography, but to bring their own artistic voices into the movement. Outside of class, Porwal had meaningful conversations with other dancers about why they chose certain styles and how dance connected to their identity. Performing their own piece, 'Series of Parts,' also pushed the Harvard-Westlake students to be more present and connected, both with each other and the audience.

  • The 2026 Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival took place from February 13-16 in Vancouver, Washington.
  • Porwal and her classmates performed their piece 'Series of Parts' on February 14 during one of the festival showcases.

The players

Sanvi Porwal

A student dancer from Harvard-Westlake's Upper School dance program who attended the Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival.

Queala Clancy

Porwal's dance teacher at Harvard-Westlake, who accompanied the students to the festival and choreographed the piece 'Series of Parts' that they performed.

Kemba Shannon

The instructor of the Afro-Funk dance class at the festival, who encouraged students to feel grounded in the earth through their movement.

Maray Gutierrez

The instructor of the Cuban Modern Contemporary class at the festival, who emphasized bringing individual artistic voices into the choreography rather than just copying steps.

Kathryn Kearns

The founder and executive director of the National High School Dance Festival, which organizes the annual Northwest Regional event.

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What they’re saying

“She talked about the floor as the earth, as soil, and encouraged us to feel grounded in it. That idea stuck with me, and I found myself connecting to the movement in a way that felt both physical and emotional.”

— Sanvi Porwal, Student Dancer

“She encouraged us to bring our own identity and artistic voice into the movement.”

— Sanvi Porwal, Student Dancer

What’s next

The Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival is an annual event, so Porwal and her classmates from Harvard-Westlake will have the opportunity to return next year and continue exploring dance as a means of self-expression and connection.

The takeaway

The Northwest Regional High School Dance Festival demonstrates how dance can be a powerful tool for young people to find their voice, connect with their cultural heritage, and express their individual identities. By moving beyond just technical mastery, the festival encourages students to see dance as a holistic art form that can foster deeper understanding and community.