Dancers spring into spotlight
Published 2:55 pm Tuesday, March 15, 2016
- Grant Union Gold dancer Mackenzie Woodcock strikes a pose during the high school dance team's performance.
JOHN DAY — Friday’s Spring Showcase highlighted the talents of 60 dancers performing for a full house.
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Showcase coordinator Shannon Adair said the evening’s presentations were “excellent.”
“There was a great variety, and the kids who choreographed their own routines did an outstanding job,” she said.
From the youngest Level 1 group to the Grant Union varsity dance team, the groups spotlighted an array of dance styles.
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Levels 1 and 2 are led by coach Chandra Holliday, Level 3 by Sierra Elliott, the Junior Team by Kattie Piazza and assistant Rebecca Batease, and the varsity team head coach is Adair with assistants Jessica Moore and Kattie Piazza.
The highlight of the event came when several of Adair’s alumni dance students joined her for a final hip hop routine.
Although Adair is stepping down as head coach at the close of the school year, she said she’d like to stay involved with the program.
“Coaching dance will always be one of the most memorable things I have done in my life,” she said. “I have loved it all, even the challenging times. What I love the most is watching the kids grow and overcome challenges. They are always more confident when they leave from when they started. Many times they accomplish things they would have never dreamed possible.”
Adair leads her high school team to the OSAA Dance & Drill State Championships held at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum this week where they compete with Class 1A through 4A schools.
In previous years, teams could prequalify for the second round of state competition; however, that has changed this year.
The teams moving on to the finals will only be revealed after the first day of the contest. Only seven of 14 teams in the division will advance.
Although Grant Union will be up against teams from much larger schools, Adair said her group is competitive.
“Our team has done an outstanding job rising to the challenge, and I am very proud of them,” she said. “They work incredibly hard.”
Grant Union Gold will give a final local performance during an assembly at the school at about 8:10 a.m. on Thursday before leaving for Portland.