Backstage with Seye

By: Ariel O'Leary

The lights dim, the music starts, and months of hard work come together on stage. At Glenelg High School, the dance department’s performances are far more than just four shows per year; they are examples of dedication personified. 
​
And it’s been this way for at least the last 23 years under the direction of Jennifer Seye who has turned the dance program into what it is today, an inclusive space where students of all backgrounds and experiences can explore and express their passion for dance.

​“I do this because I know so many people could not, or would not, have dance opportunities if they couldn't get it during the school day,” Seye said.
The dance department is one of many programs offered at Glenelg, but it stands out for the sense of community it creates. Students aren’t just learning techniques – they’re part of a culture that values creativity, discipline, and personal growth, the same traits Seye brings daily to her studio.

Seye did not originally plan to become a public high school dance teacher. In her first year at Glenelg, she didn’t even have a classroom and taught in a hallway. Despite the challenge she continued, driven by a simple goal, to teach. Over time, seeing her students' passion changed her perspective.

“I saw how much it mattered to them,” said Seye  about her early teaching experience. “Every year the seniors leave and I cry and I am sad and it will never be the same, and then there is a new group of kids  that take their place. I fell in love all over again. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

Her impact on students goes far beyond choreography. Reghan Fleisher, a captain of the Dance Company, credits Seye with shaping her both as a dancer and as a person.
“Ms. Seye has shaped me not only as a dancer, but as a leader and a person,” Fleisher said. “She holds us to an incredibly high standard while still making us feel seen and valued. She taught me that discipline and passion can coexist, that you can demand excellence while still leading with empathy.”

That balance is something many students experience in the program. Along with learning technique and the history of dance, students are also taught life skills that extend beyond the studio.

"Ms. Seye is a lively and passionate dancer and teacher who has challenged and encouraged me to be the best version of myself, on and off of the stage,” said Dance Company sophomore Lauren Williams. 

Seye emphasizes that dance is not just about movement, but about mindset. She encourages her students to approach challenges with confidence and to carry themselves with purpose both on and off the stage.

“Dance is something that is larger than yourself,” Seye said. “A lot of the time you are in class and you are just learning for yourself, which is behind closed doors. In dance, there is a community entity and real sense of friendship and an importance to do well in the show.”
​
Performances may only last a few nights, but the lessons students take from the program certainly last much longer. Seye’s ability to inspire each student that steps foot into her classroom is what sets her, and her dancers, apart.