Ballroom students of all ages 4th grade and up stepped in front of a cozy audience for the first time since the 2021-2022 season began. PBD’s first ever Fall Showcase on October 23rd was held in a familiar setting for the students in their home studio but nonetheless still brought all the jitters and excitement of performing that a live performance brings.
The Fall Showcase debuted performances from PBD’s performing teams PreTeen through Adult and also allowed opportunities for students of all ages to perform fun, creative and competitive routines of all genres.
Performances included a crowd pleasing ABBA medley from the new Adult Team which dazzled audiences with their bright green costumes. We saw some of PBD’s younger dancers Emily Castro Serrato and Luke Eugenio as they captured hearts with a fun and sassy routine. PBD’s first ever Jr. Girls Team performed a jive, Hannah Anderson and Shi Johnson owned a Micheal Jackson themed number, Sophie Jones and Eli Eugenio are PBD’s first ever American Rhythm competitive students, and Marie Horan and Adam Lee performed a fluid and tender rumba, and many others stepped.
When asked about her experience performing, Marie simply stated that her favorite part was “feeling really supported by my partner”. That seemed to be the theme throughout the backstage experience of many dancers.
This showcase was important to a lot of students but was more emotional to some than to others. Sarah Wilcox, a Junior age dancer, performed with her formation team as well as showcased multiple routines. She danced with a few different partners and spoke about her favorite part as “watching people dance on screen (backstage) and hearing people cheer for them,” and, “hearing everyone congratulate and encourage each other”. This was Sarah’s last performance before receiving surgery on an injured foot which she dance on without complaint. Her recovery time is unknown, but for Sarah, she left nothing back and gave everything she had doing what she loves!
The Fall Showcase was an opportunity not just for PBD’s amazing Performing Teams but also for individual dancers of all ages to demonstrate their skills as performers and to continue developing their love of dance in front of an audience in a warm and inviting environment. Thank you all who attended and supported our PBD family!
Hannah Anderson and Shi Johnson
Adam Lee and Marie Horan
