Talent Dances in the Lives of Students

By Jenni McGowan and Ashley Delisi

Whether your dream is to become a prima ballerina or to make it through Ballet and Tap I, dancing is a very popular performing art. From tap and jazz, to ballroom or ballet and even funk, Marian girls who like to dance have found their niche.

Here at Marian, the dance classes offered to students in all four grade levels include Ballet and Tap I and II. Both classes are instructed by Mrs. Michelle Delisi, Recruitment/Dance director. She has been teaching dance classes at Marian for the last 21 years. This semester, 49 students are enrolled in these classes and last semester, only 12 students were enrolled because of Recruitment season.

You might even spot one of the girls practicing a shuffle or an arabesque. "IUm constantly practicing! During the day, when IUm standing, I will sometimes be tapping, too," said freshman Jill Smolczyk, Ballet and Tap I student.

The Dance Team also provides a home for those girls who really love to dance in front of big audiences. The Dance Team members are very well-rounded and like to show off a little of their style. "This year, IUve realized that there is a lot I can learn from the girls on Dance Team, both younger and older than me," said sophomore Callie Grace.

So, what about outside of the Crusader walls? Many Marian girls take dance lessons at studios. There are a few who take lessons and also teach. Seniors Emily Adams and Katie Krause are two who have been teaching at Cindy Evans Dance Studio for the past four years. "Teaching dance is the most fun thing in the world! You get paid to have fun, work with adorable kids, and work out," Krause enthusiastically stated.

"I like being able to make up a dance and watch other kids perform it beautifully. I love the kids they're great," said Adams replied.

Dance crazes have ranged from country line dancing at Guitars and Cadillacs to Latin, and everywhere in between. Ballroom dancing has even become recently popular, especially to senior Katie Zach. "I wanted to take this [ballroom dancing] because I missed Ballet and Tap I so much and I wanted to expand my dancing ability."

Zach and her dancing partner, Prep senior Joe Klosterman, have taken their lessons at the DC Dance Centre. There, the lessons are $25 a couple for two private lessons (you, your partner and a teacher) and two group lessons. If youUre looking to move on up the dancing ladder, the lessons are $75 a person for four more private lessons and six more group lessons. At DC Centre, group lessons offered are available everyday and differ in the dances available. Professional dancers teach the classes.

Junior Erica Irwin, who has been dancing since age five, focuses more on ballet. Erica takes dance at the Omaha Theatre Company, and her instructor was the director of dance at Ballet Omaha before they lost their funding. Irwin and fellow dancers perform a spring ballet, a summer musical and also perform in The Nutcraker, every holiday season. Dance is a very important part of IrwinUs life. "I enjoy dancing more than anything else and I know that if I want to make a career out of it, I have to work really hard."

There are many avenues of dance to choose from. From tackling the basics to expanding dance horizons, Marian girls are learning a lot and having a blast!

Dance Instruction (Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country)