LSS dance students excited to entertain
More than 50 dance students at Ladysmith Secondary School are preparing to tap, shimmy and boogie the winter blues away during their annual showcase this Friday (Jan. 23).
Dance instructor Chelsea Grovum says audiences can expect to be entertained by a variety of dance numbers ranging from hip hop to tap, contemporary and musical theatre, to name a few.
“The show gets bigger every year, we usually add different genres, the costumes get more elaborate, and the dances get more technical,” she said.
This year’s performances include an Addams Family number, a Bollywood group dance, a Car Wash routine, as well as duets and solos to songs like “Skyfall” by Adele, “Dear Future Husband” by Meghan Trainor and “Let It Go” from Frozen.
While many of the group routines are choreographed by Grovum and her team of guest choreographers, the solos and duets are put together by the students and are graded as part of their course. Student also get some input into the music selection for the group numbers.
“If the kids are excited about a song, I’ll try to work it in,” said Grovum.
Alexis Bouma is a Grade 12 student who is dancing in the showcase for her fifth year.
“We’re a really lively bunch … once we get on stage, each number will showcase what our personalities are,” she said. “It’s nice to show what a team we are.”
Bouma feels the dance program at LSS has gotten much stronger over the last five years.
“Ms. Grovum has been amazing; she’s helped us. We’ve all grown because of her, and she’s grown the program into something incredible,” she said.
The one difference in this year’s showcase is the amount of time the students have had to prepare. The students have been practising five days a week. The 15 students who make up the official LSS dance team also practise after school on Fridays. They will move on to core dance competition in May.
“Because of the strike, we started a lot later, but the really neat thing is everyone really banded together this year to work towards a common goal,” said Grovum. “I think they’ve worked harder this year than they’ve ever worked and so I’m really excited for their hard work to be shown. It will be evident in the performances.”
Grovum has taught dance at LSS for five years. She is now on maternity leave, after having a baby girl on Dec. 24. Julia Armstrong has been teaching the class since students returned from Christmas break, and Grovum will help at the showcase and escort the dance team to competitions.
“It’s really been a group effort,” she said.
Assisting are guest choreographers Voula Rounis, a former student assisting with the hip hop component, and Meghan Zannett.
In addition to the excitement of performing, the dance program at LSS has provided a safe place for students to express themselves and feel good about what they’re doing, says Grovum.
“It’s a break from the regular everyday math, English, socials, sitting in a desk … they get to move and work through different emotions and feelings through movement.”
The LSS Dance Showcase takes place Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 each or $6 for students with a valid Student ID Card. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The performance is being filmed by LSS media students, and DVDs will be made available for $10 each.
— Niomi Pearson
