By Alyssa Gehris, Photography editor
Growing up, I was never the most involved person. I played sports, got good grades but, I knew there was something I was missing out on.
Midway through my high school career, I decided to join dance classes.
Dance was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, activities I have done, and I was in love with the art.
Arriving at Susquehanna University, I knew I wanted to be involved in Dance Corps.
Susquehanna University Dance Corps is a student-run organization. Students choreograph, teach, dance and plan the year leading up to the annual showcase. They accept everyone in class, from those who never took a dance class to students who practically grew up in ballet shoes.
When I first joined, I started out as the quiet student that stood in the back. However, a year later, I was in the opposite position. I was teaching at the front of the class.
I grew to be a part of the Dance Corps family. I was inspired by the passionate members and the effort they always put towards the club.
As a instructor, I have gained a whole new appreciation for not only the art of dance, but also teaching.
There is so much work that goes into creating a dance that is only two minutes and 30 seconds long because the choreographer wants to make the best of that time.
A choreographer has to spend months and months picking the right songs, making the moves, changing ideas, and teaching their students. The choreographer works to perfect it to portray the message and vision they want to showcase.
As a choreographer, I started looking for songs eight months in advance. It took me multiple months to choreograph. I have been teaching it to my students for two to three months.
The dancers spend the whole year learning technique and perfecting the choreography in order to do their choreographers’ work justice. They are enrolled in multiple dance classes.
Our executive board also deserves credit. The time and effort they put towards the organization is incredible. They are constantly working on fund-raising, planning and putting together all the details that go into running the organization.
As the annual showcase approaches, the time and stress of dance becomes more prominent. Everyone involved has to devote their time to rehearsing, while the stress of the upcoming show builds.
Dancers have a history of not getting the credit for their devotion to their sport and art. With the amount of work performed throughout the whole year, they deserve recognition from faculty, fellow students, and family.
