Summer dance program caters to all

Times Reporter

 

Have you ever seen someone dangling from aerial silks and thought ‘I want to do that?’

 Or maybe you just wanted to try all kinds of dance because you couldn’t pick just one, and the option wasn’t available. 

At Expressions the Dance Gallery, EDG, from Aug. 14 to 18, those interested were able to do just that. Girls, boys, men and women were able to take part in the camp, which lasted nine hours a day for those who took part in everything.   

“We always try to bring in whatever’s a little bit different, or new,” said Heather Thomas, dance director and owner of EDG, about the aerial class. 

The studio held a few workshops throughout the year, and found the kids were really interested in aerial work, which is why it was put it into their summer program. Thomas said they hope to add it to their regular program. 

“Now that we’ve got all the rigging and everything here, we’re hopefully going to do it on a regular basis in the studio,” said Thomas.

Students taking part in the nine-hour program received two and a half hours of aerial training and a hour of aerial conditioning. They were able to learn tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop and musical theatre throughout the week. All of the teachers for the dance intensive are former students of the studio. 

“It’s really good for them. It really gets them back into shape, ready for the new term coming. Instead (of waiting) until September and taking two months of your classes getting back into shape, you can do it this way. Plus they get to learn new skills and work with different teachers,” said Thomas.

Alex Stewart, 14, has been at EDG for the last three years, and recently won the EDG Dancer of the Year first runner up scholarship of $400, which she put towards the costs of the dance intensive. 

“It’s hard and you get a lot of bruises, and scrapes and stuff but, it’s a lot of fun,” said Stewart.

“It helps a lot with my core and balance, and my arm strength from pulling…it builds a lot of muscle and it’s fun.”

Allegra Rushford, 12, also decided to take part in the program when she heard it was being offered this year. 

“Because it sounded fun, and it sounded like a good way to grow as a dancer. I like the discipline and how it’s fun too,” said Rushford. 

“I haven’t taken tap for awhile so doing tap again I’ve learned a lot and doing jazz. I’m learning about hip hop too because I’ve never taken that either, it’s fun.”

Though this was the first year EDG has brought the summer dance intensive to this studio, Thmoas said it will be yearly thing, which will be always evolving, with whatever is new to dance.