1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7 and 8.

This count off is something that is heard throughout the gym while the performance dance class is practicing and choreographing their dances.

“Every dancer is put in performance because they have something special,” said Susan Brady, dance teacher. “They could have a high degree of choreography, or they could have special skills.”

The gym where the girls practice is always flooded with different kinds of songs while the dancers combine their artistic talents with their choreographing abilities to make up all different kinds of dances.

“Jazz-type dances are my favorite to make up,” said Senior Samantha Jones, “because it’s the most fun and fast-paced and entertaining to watch.”

Jones has been in performance dance since she was a freshman, and she also has been dancing at a studio for 15 years.

“At the studio, it’s more technical. You’re constantly striving to develop your skills.

Where here, it’s more you make up dances and then learn some more to get ready for a performance.”

However, not all the dancers have been dancing for as long as Jones.

Sophomore Tiffany Randall said that she has been dancing on and off at studios since she was 11.

“Dancing is a way of expressing yourself, and it’s a relief. You can let your emotions out while having fun at the same time,” Randall said.

The final show for all the dancers in the different levels of classes is Dance Show.

“The girls are responsible for Dance Show,” Brady said, “so they have to work pretty hard on the choreography to get it done.”

The anual dance Show is a performance at the end of the year that allows the dancers to showcase what they have learned during the year.

Out of the 23 dances that are shown, 17 of them are performed by performance dance.

“Dance Show is so much fun for everyone involved,” Jones said. “You get to learn a whole bunch of dances and teach them to the other girls, and then it’s such a rush to be out there performing.”

Many of the girls plan to keep dancing even after high school.

“Dancing has helped me so much in making friends, and it’s such good exercise,” Jones said. “I love it.” The dancers may have different skills and accomplishments to their name, but they’re all united under dancing.