Independence’s dance program is made up of four levels that range from begining to performance. They work hard all year and showcase thier talents when they put on two shows a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The fall show this year was called “Livin’ on the dance floor”, and it went great!!
Alexandra Montoya is the dance teacher at Indy. Montoya states, “This is my 11th year teaching dance”. Montoya danced for three years in high school. She expressed, ”I really enjoyed my dance classes in high school, and I had wonderful teachers so that really inspired me to become a dance teacher.” The thing that keeps Montoya motivated to be a dance teacher is that she loves seeing the end results.
Beginning dance is filled with students new to the program. Two of many new students this year are freshman Gabriela Soto-Avalos and junior Maria Gallardo. Soto-Avalos is in the beginner class hour 2 and Gallardo is in beginner class hour 1.
Gallardo said, “What made me want to join dance was watching my friends perform last year and seeing how excited they were to dance!” Gallardo also mentioned that her biggest challenge was remembering all the choreography and maintaining a smile.
Soto-Avalos mentioned that this is her first year dancing but she has done cheer for 4 years. Soto-Avalos suggested, “If you choose to take dance next year I recommend you to not stress and that dancing is all about having fun!”
Putting on such a big production requires a lot of preparation. Montoya stated, “Teaching different levels can be hard, each level is different and they each learn different dances so it takes a lot of preparation for each class.” They prepare by learning, practicing techniques, learning choreography, setting formations and cleaning up the dances for the dance show each semester.
Soto-Avalos and Gallardo both communicated that they spent “a month and a half to prepare their dances for the show”.
On of the more challenging aspects of planning a dance show are creating the actual dances for all levels. Montoya usually hires choreographers, and they get to choose whatever song they want to use. They just try to not repeat songs that have already been used in the past. Montoya states, “It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get through choreography since I have to choreograph multiple dances at the same time.” But, she manages by only doing a “small part at a time for each dance.”
The dancer’s have one show per semester. Each class does two dances, first their class dance then their finale. Gallardo stated, “My favorite dance was our class dance to Texas hold em by Beyonce.” Soto-Avalos also expressed that her favorite dance was her finale “because we choreographed it ourselves.” Montoya was proud of all her classes and enjoyed watching them all.
The biggest challenge with the dance show was making sure students were able to make it to rehearsals and the show after school. Gallardo expressed, “The one thing I wish I could’ve done differently is use more energy and be more calm.”
Montoya stated, “I don’t think there is anything I would change.” What motivates Soto-Avalos to continue dancing is she enjoys watching others dance and hopes to one day be like them. Gallardo said, “What motivates me to continue dancing is the adrenaline before performing and the excitement of doing so.”
Montoya expressed, “I would advise all students to continue to practice, dance technique only gets better with practice.” Both Soto-Avalos and Gallardo are preparing for their next dance show by stretching everyday, practicing moves as much as possible, and working on facial expressions.
