At first glance, I don’t think I have the look of a dancer, let alone the appearance of someone who would be on Galway’s PTSA Dance Competition Team, but dancing runs through my veins. Dance can be an outlet of emotion through a choreographed routine, and it can really be so much more.

First and foremost, it is a great workout, especially for the legs, arms, and core. The performers are pushed to their hardest by being encouraged to be able to do full splits, lifts with multiple people, and critical foot placements and techniques. These skills are to be presented during routines with a class, in small groups, or individually during either the Winter Recital or the Spring Dance Recital (which is actually closer to summer break).

Second, you get to impress your friends and family by showing them what you have learned.  If chosen to be on the Galway PTSA Dance Competition Team, which we call Competition for short, you get to perform even more. You are required to perform in dance competitions and the recital for which season you signed up for. Last year, the team danced our way into placing in the “Step Up 2 Dance Tour” and brought home a trophy displayed in the Elementary display case. This team is invite only and meets over double the time the regular classes do. Hard work and sweat pours out of these dancers. I would know because I am lucky enough to get to work with them.

Third, dance is just plain out fun, which in my opinion, gets lost in translation quite frequently. Classes are usually filled with the same age groups, which mean friends are usually not separated and the teachers are great. Ms.Gretchen, our dance teacher, is very optimistic and her other choreographer, Callie, is super supportive to everyone, despite skill level. Every time I come into class, I know everyone will be smiling, whether mid-dance or learning new techniques.

Lastly, there are the costumes. At first, most dancers will drone on about how the sequins are too itchy, or how it took them three times to figure out to put it on, but soon after they get to realization on how they actually don’t mind the outfit and actually admire how it fits into the performance. As I look back, some of the best costumes, which that fit with the song wonderfully, I completely disliked at first. But don’t worry they aren’t all pink tutus. They range from black hooded jumpsuits with high-tops to orange tie-dyed dresses.

If this is something you would like to be a part of, then this January you can register yourself or your child in the program. If you wanted to just come and cheer us on, the PTSA Winter Dance Recital is December 5th, less than 5 weeks away. This is a program for anyone, girl or guy, senior or preschooler. So come be a part of Galway’s PTSA Dance community and dance on!