Anticipation is rising, and the soft murmurs of excitement fill your ears. You feel your stomach aching with anxiety, as sweat hangs onto your palms. Through the chaos of the year’s first meeting for NHS Singers you are only focused on one thing: the next click of a computer button will determine your future as a member of show choir. One Google slide reveals that you now possess a highly coveted leadership position, the new NHS Singers dance captain.
Kate Boice, Junior at Noblesville High School, became a rarity in show choir as she was promoted to dance captain of Noblesville’s varsity mixed show choir NHS Singers. Only a few juniors in the history of NHS show choir have accomplished such a goal, as it is usually given to seniors. Her role as a captain is to be able to help fellow dance members, whether it is with their confidence, or if it is to get the members ready for competition, such as cleaning choreography or leading group warm ups. And for Boice, earning this role was all too surreal.
“It was a goal of mine since freshman year, it was truly a dream come true when I heard that I was going to be captain,” Boice said.
But for Boice, this dream was achieved by not only her hours of hard work and rehearsing, but also by her character. NHS head choir director, John Neubauer, has been a firsthand witness to her leadership in the choir room.
“I would say that Kate is a quiet leader. She does not intimidate but she does make needed statements,” Neubauer said. “She has developed a good relationship with all the other performers and I believe she is quite respected for her knowledge and expertise.”
Boice’s director isn’t the only one who has noticed her positive presence in Singers. Fellow show choir teammate and senior, Lauryn Kinzie, has recognized Boice’s keen leadership skills, expertise in dance and performance, and most importantly kindness. She has only known Boice for a matter of two years, but still, Kinzie has plenty to attribute to Boice’s character.
“She is just the kindest person I know, she is so bright and bubbly, and she never fails to cheer me up. It is amazing how humble she is,” Kinzie said.
According to Boice, being such an important leader isn’t always an easy task. Boice recognizes that there will always be challenging moments throughout the year, but she is determined to create a safe space for her fellow group members.
“Being someone that people feel comfortable with going up and talking to and having hard conversations with, is so incredibly important,” Boice said.
Show choir however, isn’t the only place where Boice shines. She has been in over 25 theater productions all throughout the state of Indiana, from her first role in Seussical at the age of seven to her most recent role in Cats at the Civic Theater in Carmel. But even though these productions have helped her sharpen and perfect her musical theater skills, she has found something more valuable: friendship.
“I have been able to meet so many amazing and cool people all around the state of Indiana through both show choir and theater,” Boice said.
Boice’s and Kinzie’s friendship is no exception. The pair met while auditioning for the NHS production of the musical Chicago back in the fall of 2022, and have been friends ever since.
“We met at callbacks for Chicago a couple years ago and got callbacks for Roxie. We didn’t know what we were doing so we helped each other,” Kinzie said. “And she was so welcoming and kind from the first second I met her.”
It is evident that whether it is show choir or theater, Boice is an essential part of the spaces she is in, carrying kindness and humility wherever she goes. And Neubauer has seen this happen in his own groups as well.
“Kate is in her second year in NHS Singers and is a key member and leads by example. She poses questions as needed. She also demonstrates a high level of responsibility,” Neubauer said.
Even though the journey of a dance captain can be complicated, Boice’s message for anyone wishing to be a leader is simple.
“Just be kind,” Boice said. “Be a vessel for the change that you wish to see in the world.”
