Recreational dancers will dance to holiday music and showcase a number of styles, including jazz, tap, hip hop and lyrical. Competitive or company dancers will highlight the routines that they will perform at upcoming competitions.
“This is one big performance we put together for the holidays,” Hamilton said. “For many of the kids, it’s their first time on stage. We really appreciate the support of the entire community. A production like this gives the dancers the courage to be on stage, and it allows them the opportunity to dance in front of other people. It will also help prepare them for later in life, when they may have to speak, or make a presentation. With an experience of this caliber, they can start at a young age and build that confidence.”
The dancers spend many hours rehearsing for the hour-and-a-half to two-hour production. A lot of preparation time also goes into other aspects of the show, such as editing the music and costume selection. Between both shows, there will be 70 to 75 different dances featured. About 150 dancers are expected to participate.
“The children also learn about being backstage. It’s such a fast-paced thing, routine after routine, and there are costume changes. The dancers get excited about the show and it gets their adrenaline pumping,” Hamilton said. “I am proud of the dancers and all of their hard work.
“I’m also proud of all of the instructors that I have, they are very good with the kids. They are very hands-on. We communicate well with the families that participate and we pay attention to all of the details, to be the best we can be, and I think we do a really good job at fulfilling that.”
Each year, the studio hosts a winter recital in December and a spring recital in June. The production attracts audiences from Hamilton, Oxford, Fairfield, Trenton, West Chester and beyond.
To find out more about Art in Motion School of Dance, or to register for upcoming classes, go to www.aim-schoolofdance.com, or call (513) 571-7565. Located in Bridgewater Falls Shopping Center, Art in Motion offers jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, pointe, creative movement, tumbling and more.
About the Author