Every Tuesday lunchtime , the Jazz Dance Club meets in the Dance Studio led by the wonderful Mrs Rhatigan . We normally warm up and stretch in time to some music and then start preparing the choreography for the next show . It is really quite disheartening when you are surrounded by girls who can bend , in some frankly unnatural positions , while you are there , shaking , trying to hold a basic stretch . The club usually has about 20 people attending every week , with the ages ranging from Year 7 all the way up to Year 11 . There is a notable lack of boys in the club , and it would be appreciated if the number increased from the three of us who regularly attend !
So , what happens after the group choreography is learned and a show is just round the corner ? Well , after a few emails about costumes and dress rehearsal times , the realisation of having to perform in front of a crowd of people and not a simple mirror quickly sets in . The first dress rehearsals in the Pamoja Hall are done in front of an empty hall ; this feels odd because you are not given the rush of adrenaline from the crowd . When the day comes to perform in front of friends and family , everyone begins to feel a bit nervous . However , with some experienced dancers in the group we all know it will be alright . Throughout the dance show there was a wide array of fantastic performances , from lyrical to more contemporary dances , like hip-hop and , of course , the mighty Jazz Club .
We originally went to the club as a way to complete our Duke of Edinburgh ’ s skill award – and for a bit of fun ! But after one or two lunchtimes we became incredibly involved and it quickly became a part of the week we looked forward to . Some great memories have been made so far on our dance journey and we both highly recommend doing something a little different , which may take you out of your comfort zone .
Henry Bennett and Arthuro Stephan , Year 11
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