Students present their first gala on Chautauqua’s biggest stage

Dancer students perform ‘Where Were You,’ a song by Alan Jackson with choreography by Maris Battaglia, during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. The song is about where you were when the terrorist attacks on the United States took place on Sept. 11, 2001. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jacob Soltero performs the Russian excerpt of 'The Nutcracker' during the Chautauqua School of Dance's first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Olivia Cornelius performs the ‘Grand Pas de Deux’ excerpt from The Nutcracker during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Featuring Vanessa Meikle, center, dance students perform the ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ excerpt from the Nutcracker during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Karsen Gresham and Bryan Gregory perform the Arabin excerpt of ‘The Nutcracker’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Emma Robinson Jumps in the air while performing ‘MORE’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dance students perform to ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dance Students perform to ‘Donizetti Variations’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dance Students perform to ‘Donizetti Variations’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Thomas Kingsbury, center, performs in ‘Donizetti Variations’ during the Chautauqua School of Dance’s first Student Gala of the season Sunday afternoon, July 16, 2023, in the Amphitheater. BRETT PHELPS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER