Sophomore Raymond Chai plays " ___".
On Jan. 17, 2026, hundreds of students and staff gathered to perform in DHS's annual talent show production: RenFair. This event, which has been going on for decades, includes a variety of acts such as singing, dancing, spoken poetry and more. It is formatted as a themed talent show. All acts are composed of DHS students or staff. The DHS orchestra director, Amanda Thoms, has been in charge of RenFair for the last few years. Thoms reported that DHS' music department has been in charge of RenFair for the last eight years. "I think the biggest [reason for continuing to put on RenFair] would be the history of it, making sure it survives," Thoms said.
Orchestra teacher Amanda Thoms directs the Symphonic band in the performance of Star Wars.
RenFair is hosted by a small group of emcees. Each year, seniors are given the opportunity to audition for the role. Once the emcees are chosen they collaborate to pick a theme for the event. This year's chosen theme was Alice In Wonderland. Dylan Bovee played Alice, Carter Gross played the White Rabbit, Alora Rishko performed as both the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts and Carston Broderick played both the Mad Hatter and the King of Hearts. For many DHS students, RenFair is the first large-scale production that they've performed in. "This is my first ever actual production," Bovee said. "I've never done anything like this before, it's really me putting myself out there." Some of the most prominent acts of RenFair were the singing acts. The DHS Chamber Singers had three acts. These acts included a performance by La Voz (sopranos and altos), Chordaroys (baritone and tenors), as well as a performance put on by both groups together.
Senior Dylan Bovee plays her role of Alice during RenFair.
Some of the most prominent acts of RenFair were the singing acts. The DHS Chamber Singers had three acts. These acts included a performance by La Voz (sopranos and altos), Chordaroys (baritone and tenors), as well as a performance put on by both groups together. Other singing acts included a performance of "I'm Still Standing," a performance of "Sing Your Own Song," a small group performance of "Ex-Wives,” a rock band performance of "Clueless," a performance by the group “The Schlond Poofas of ___," and a duet of "For Good." Senior and Chamber Singer Miyah Cobb participated in multiple of these acts, including Ex-Wives, La Vos, Chamber Singers, and a solo performance of "Sing Your Own Song." "I'm really excited," Cobb said prior to her performance. "This year is gonna be a little different, because this'll be the first year [I’m] actually doing a solo."
Other stand out performances included several dances such as Hannah Wolters’ contemporary dance, Senior Salsation, pom, the Staff Dance, and a traditional duo dance routine (Odissi) featuring Maria Goel Espinoza and Reema Potnis. Odissi is a traditional style of Indian dance. Both Potnis and Espinoza practice the dance style at a local dance studio. "The dance that we did, it was to a song called Lal dupatta and so it means, like a red, like sort of dress," Potnis said. "So that's why we wore red outfits to represent that meaning."
Senior Reema Potnis performs Odissi to a the song "Lal Dupatta," at RenFair.
Junior and Chamber Singer Justine Harwood also participated in several acts, including a small group act that she put together, which has taken an immense amount of hard work. "I'm in ‘Closer to Flying,’ which is my own group, the Schlond Poofas," Harwood said. "To prepare for Schlond Poofas, I've been rehearsing three times a week, every week for the past three months."
Junior Justine Harwood sings "Closer to Flying" with her musical group, Schlond Poofas.
Sophomore, percussionist and Chamber Singer Seth DeGroat was in nine different acts at RenFair. DeGroat participated in both orchestras, provided percussion in several singing acts, performed as the lead singer in a rock band, sang in the Chordaroys and Chamber Singers acts, Jazz Band, drumline and the Marching Band. "[My favorite part of RenFair] is the crowd. I like being in front of a crowd, even if I get nervous," Degroat said. "And I like the thrill of it. It's exciting. And I just like making music for people."
Sophomore Seth Degroat sings "Clueless" in his rock band at RenFair during the first act. "[Performing] always makes me excited." Degroat said.
In addition to singing events, there were both band and orchestra events. The Symphony orchestra and the Honors orchestra both played in the first act. The Jazz Band, drumline and Marching Band performed in the second act. Sophomore Joshua England participated in RenFair both this year and last year, participating in both the Marching Band and the Jazz Band. "I believe that it's fun to perform the little things that we did throughout the year for the people and the community," said England.
Director Stephen DeRees directs the Jazz Band as they perform their piece during the second act of RenFair.