For months now, the Bear River dance program has been working for countless hours, putting together their Dance Visions showcase. The performance is completely student choreographed and will take place May 21, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m. Students can purchase tickets in the student store starting May 1.
If you’ve walked past the dance classroom lately, you’ve most likely heard what’s the beginning of a full, immersive, dance show.
Besides being in the spotlight, dancers like Sela Tucker have enjoyed the things behind the scenes. “I love the community and all the friends, just so many memories and being able to do something that I love with such great support,” she said.
Tucker is in her senior year and is looking forward to the show, so she can experience dancing with her classmates one last time.
“Just being able to really soak it all in, because it might be my last time dancing, and definitely last time dancing with these people, so really soaking it in, every moment of it, and just doing it full out,” Tucker said.
Aspiring dancers as well as experienced ones are equally excited to be learning dance. Junior Mariah Snyder shared her favorite part of the class is performing and learning new dance techniques. “Definitely learning new skills that I didn't know last year,” she said, “I really like being on stage in front of a lot of people. It really brings out a lot of confidence in me.”
Junior Belle Saul, in the advanced class, enjoys all of the hard work that goes on after school, like tech week when the dancers all perform together on the stage. “I love tech. Tech is really fun, and dress rehearsal. I love staying up for school for three hours. Not sarcastically, I actually do.”
Saul also has the responsibility of teaching one of her dances to the 4th period beginning class. “I thought it was gonna be pretty hard, but the class that I'm choreographing is so good at what they're doing. They pick up what I’m teaching so quickly and it's been really nice.”
Teaching dance has been a very rewarding experience for Bear River dance teacher Gaby Baldock. “I think it's the relationships that are really long lasting that I make with my students and just the family that we create. I also love watching my beginners, who have never danced before, fall in love with dance,” she said.
Baldock looks forward to the showcase and seeing all the progress her students have made.
“I love seeing everything come together,” Baldock said. “Our final dress for rehearsal is probably my favorite. I also really love sitting backstage during the shows. It's really fun to go from watching them to now being backstage with all of the dancers and just interacting with everyone.”
Snyder gave thoughtful advice to students who are looking to join dance for the first time. “You should definitely give it a go and not care what people think, because it's really hard to learn when you're so concerned about other people watching you,” she said “So I think just not really caring about what people think and just giving it your all. “This is a great community. We have the best teacher. We have the best people, and you would love it. A lot of people are hesitant about it, but everybody always stays.”
Students who are interested in attending the showcase should purchase their tickets soon and invite a friend.
“The show is May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at 7 p.m. Tickets will go on sale, May 1. You can buy them in the student store with Katie, or you can buy them online through the link that is in our Instagram. It will also be on our website, brhsdance.com” said Baldock.
