“Ms. Baumann was a phenomenal teacher who was rooted in doing what was best for students, an incredible director who helped dancers grow personally and in performance, and a human who lived her life to the fullest with the brightest energy. She is deeply missed.”
On Sunday, April 21st, a screening of the film Singin’ in the Rain will take place at 2pm in Neuqua Valley’s auditorium as a celebration of the life of past Orchesis Director and teacher, Leslie Baumann. Leslie Baumann was the Orchesis Director from 2010-2014. She was not only known as an incredible teacher, but inspired students and dancers alike with her passions: doing the right thing and living life to the fullest.
Courtney Nowaczyk is currently a teacher at Waubonsie Valley but was a co-sponsor of the Orchesis Dance Team along with Ms. Baumann. Mrs. Nowaczyk recalls meeting Ms. Baumann when she was tasked with judging auditions for Platinum (Neuqua’s Hip-Hop dance group). Later when Platinum and Orchesis joined forces, Mrs. Nowaczyk and Ms. Baumann formed a long-lasting bond through their shared love for dance as they became co-directors for Orchesis. Mrs. Nowaczyk recalls that Ms. Baumann “became one of [her] best friends and some of [her] fondest memories are directing Orchesis with Ms. Baumann!”
As the Orchesis Dance Company grew, Mrs. Nowaczyk and Ms. Baumann created the opening together and taught the dancers how to choreograph, teach, and prepare dances for the Annual Orchesis Showcase. Mrs. Nowaczyk still remembers how “Ms. Baumann was amazing at getting the dancers to communicate and connect with the audience by increasing their confidence and pushing them to grow in expression.”
Ms. Baumann’s favorite film was Singin’ in the Rain, specifically because of “Gene Kelly’s tap dance scene,” Mrs. Nowaczyk says. Today, the Orchesis Dance Company not only represents the hard work that Ms. Baumann put into the group, but reflects her resilience and eternal spirit. When recollecting her favorite memories with Ms. Baumann, Mrs. Nowaczyk said, “We created so many memories together and it is very difficult to choose just one. Some of my favorite memories included traveling to Los Angeles and New York for the dancers to take master classes, our Orchesis “tour” which included performing for the middle schools, and watching the showcase come together after so many months of preparation and hard work. I am forever grateful our paths crossed!”
Currently, Miss Simmons, a math teacher at Neuqua, is the director of the Orchesis Dance Company. While Miss Simmons never met Ms. Baumann personally, she has maintained Ms. Baumann’s teaching styles and has continued to encapsulate Ms. Baumann’s unforgettable personality and positivity in every dance. However, this is not the first fundraiser honoring Ms. Baumann. Neuqua Valley’s Interact club has a scholarship in the name of Leslie Baumann and Billy Elton, an annual show combining works from Billy Joel and Elton John, gives proceeds to St. Jude’s hospital as a tribute to Ms. Baumann. Nevertheless, “Orchesis is holding the first fundraiser for Leslie Baumann of this magnitude,” Miss Simmons states.
As a part of the fundraiser, sweatshirts were sold before spring break with the iconic Singin’ in the Rain logo etched on as well as a green umbrella instead of standard white. The color green represents the type of ribbon associated with the cancer that Ms. Baumann had and the umbrella “is [Ms. Baumann] looking down at us and watching over us,” Miss Simmons denotes. In addition to selling sweatshirts, concessions will also be sold at the event. Alumni who danced with Orchesis under Ms. Baumann from 2010-2014 will also be attending to celebrate her life and support the cause. All proceeds from ticket and sweatshirt sales as well as concessions will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which Ms. Baumann advocated for during her time as a teacher and director.
While sweatshirts can no longer be purchased, tickets to the screening of Singin’ in the Rain can be bought at www.neuquastudent.org; direct donations will be accepted as well. Ms. Baumann’s legacy lives on through the individuals that carry her message of spreading positivity and making others smile. Her strength and character is mirrored through the Orchesis Dance Company everyday and her passion for dance will continue to reach hearts everywhere.
