Holmes first joined a ballet studio when she was two years old. In her sophomore year, she decided to come to Deerfield to dedicate more time to dance. She said, “I really like creating things and I feel like I have had a calling. I like how undefined dance is. I think it’s just like a really fun way to express myself.”
Director of Dance Jennifer Whitcomb said, “Ana is this gem of a human being and this brilliant pre-professional dancer.”
Holmes dances in various styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. Although ballet holds a special place in her heart, her favorite style of dance is contemporary. “I like [contemporary] because there’s a lot of counterbalance,” she said. “It’s really emotional, and you can tell a story through contemporary [dance].”
In addition to dancing, Holmes is choreographing a contemporary group piece for the Winter Student Choreography Dance Showcase along with Natasha Steinert ’23. According to Steinert, they “chose to choreograph an emotional, hard-hitting contemporary piece.” She added, “Both of us are contemporary dancers and we both love to spice choreography up with faster combinations. Because of our similarities, we work together perfectly and haven’t faced any conflict in the choreographing process.”
Steinert noticed Holmes’ dedication to dance and how that allows her to be a successful leader and dancer. Steinert said, “Ana is a very dedicated dancer and spends most of her free time in the dance studio.” Steinert elaborated on Holmes’ many strengths, addimg, “She is especially great, in my opinion, at improvisation. She is bubbly and bright, but also can be strict when she needs to be. She is compassionate and always helps other dancers around her improve themselves. As a teacher, she is not afraid to raise her voice to get things done.”
Besides dancing, Holmes is also a singer. She has been a member of the Reme-D’s and Rhapso-D’s since her sophomore year, and she is currently the leader of Reme-D’s. She plays the ukulele, and before coming to Deerfield, she played the viola and the piano. Holmes said that her background in music allows her to have a better understanding of music theory and the dynamics of sound. She believes that these skills allow her to add another layer to her movement.
As a senior member of Deerfield’s dance program, Holmes takes her role very seriously as she hopes to be a role model for younger dancers. Understanding the difficulty of balancing dance along with schoolwork and personal life, she checks in with her fellow dancers to help relieve their stress. “One thing we do is team dinner because I feel like that’s kind of a way that everyone can bond after dance and it is really fun,” she said. “I also try to make sure that I am checking up on the younger dancers because being at Deerfield and dancing is very strenuous.”
Ms. Whitcomb testified to Holmes’ character and leadership, saying, “She’s a very strong self-advocate while looking out for the people around her. She’s a compassionate and kind person, which leads to her role as a strong leader. She’s looking out for the interests of the greater good, but she is also really capable of taking care of herself. She’s a good advocate for anything that she cares about.”
Holmes will attend Middlebury College next fall, where she hopes to major or minor in dance and join an a capella group. After college, she plans to either take a gap year and tour with a contemporary dance company or go on Broadway.
Holmes said, “I love dance as it allows me to be in touch with myself. When I perform on stage it gives me an adrenaline rush, but also is therapeutic at the same time. I don’t plan on ever quitting.”