By Kat Cardenas, Staff writer
The Susquehanna Dance Corps performed its annual showcase, “Dancing Through Life,” on April 15.
The showcase featured a variety of styles, including ballet, tap dance, hip hop and contemporary. 28 dances were performed, including group and solo dances that ranged in experience level.
Senior Rachel Keegan, president of Dance Corps, explained that she wanted a theme that would represent the entire organization.
“As a whole, we are all consistently just dancing together and becoming one through dance,” Keegan said. “Ironically though, ‘dancing through life’ was my social media bio and someone jokingly suggested it and we all fell in love with the idea.”
Dance Corps is a student-run organization that had been preparing for the showcase since April 2017. Over 70 students were involved in the showcase.
Keegan said that at the beginning of a new year, the exec board organizes classes, choreographers and a committee to prepare for the next showcase.
“We face new challenges every year and there is seldom a single solution for each unique situation that we are in,” Keegan said. “Without a doubt, it takes a village to put on the show and I was so lucky to have my choreographers and exec members helping every step of the way.”
Sophomore Steph Shirk, who is a member of the Dance Corps’ committee, also noted the effort put into the showcase.
“I’m so glad that showcase went as smoothly as it did,” Shirk said. “There were a few minor hiccups, but it’s hard to not have those with something like this.”
“I’m excited to see how the video turns out and what next year has in store for Dance Corps,” Shirk added.
Sophomore Quinn Evans, who is also a member of the Dance Corps’ committee, praised the collaborate experience among the committee.
“It has been such a wonderful experience working with all the girls on the executive committee,” Evans said. “There is so much passion for dance present in [Dance Corps], which has made the entire process of developing showcase a total joy.”
In addition to the committee, Evans also choreographed and taught intermediate ballet and helped choreograph a small group dance.
Evans said the beginning of the semester was tougher when the classes began to learn the choreography, but became easier over time.
Evans said dance technique was taught during the fall semester and winter break and the spring semester were used to prepare for the specific showcase.
Evans also praised her students for the work put in over the time spent preparing for the showcase.
“I am so proud of my class for doing such a wonderful job throughout the entire year and being so devoted and passionate about dance,” Evans said.
Keegan said Dance Corps has become a large part of her life and compared the group to her family.
“Dance Corps and our recitals have been my pride and joy, just like a child,” Keegan said. “Dance Corps and showcase have been my life since attending [Susquehanna] and I would not have it any other way.”
“Dance Corps is an all accepting, welcoming and loving group that has changed my life for the better in so many ways,” Keegan said.
“I only wish that [Dance Corps] continues to help others prosper as it helped me… But, the work is never done,” Keegan added.
