Sunburst dancers learn discipline while entertaining
At this year’s production of “When America Sings,” singing wasn’t the only thing capturing audience attention.
The Sunburst dancers held the limelight with their singing counterparts.
Rachel Morreale, director for the dancers, said oftentimes her girls don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
The dancers start choreographing and learning moves at the beginning of the year. They also spend anywhere between 15 and 30 hours a week practicing.
The 12 girls who make up the team are required to be full-time students and are rewarded with a half-tuition scholarship for the year, although the university won’t give them academic credit, she said.
“They’re talented and performing means a lot to them, but school is important, too,” Morreale said.
It is frustrating that, with everything they do and learn, the university doesn’t recognize the dancers as part of the arts program, she said.
Dancer Missy Huntington, a junior studying exercise science, said she has learned discipline and time management from her experiences on the team.
The sacrifices she made to devote her time to dancing were worth it.
“It was rewarding to hear people say they enjoyed [the show] and know you made a moment happy for them,” she said.
Morreale said it was gratifying to see the show come together. However, it isn’t without its obstacles. Only days before their performance in Sun Valley on New Year’s Eve, a dancer injured her knee. That position on the team had to be replaced, she said.
It is most rewarding to see the girls enjoying themselves even through the difficulties, Morreale said. Since 10 of the 12 dancers plan on trying out again, she knows they had a good year.
Kathy Bankhead, a dancer and junior in community health education, said she most enjoyed working with the different people.
“There’s no social life outside of Sunburst, but that’s OK because they’re all cool people,” she said.
Morreale said the dancers are all very close – like a family – because of the time they spend together.
“Sometimes I feel like their mom,” she said. “I love it.”
Dancing has brought the 12 personalities together. Few of the girls plan on pursuing a career in the arts. Instead, they cover a wide range of interests from pre-medical to education, Morreale said.
With the completion of “When America Sings,” demand on the dancers’ schedules has subsided. But before the year is out, they will perform at BYU-Idaho and Tuacahn in St. George, Morreale said.
Tryouts for next year’s team will be held on April 4 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Sunburst Lounge.
The judges will be looking for good technique, a balanced knowledge of different forms of dance, good kicks and flexibility. Usually between 40 and 70 girls try for a position on the team every year, Morreale said.
Both Bankhead and Huntington said they have learned a lot this year and that being Sunburst dancers is “so much fun.”
For more information about the Sunbrust dancers or singers and the upcoming auditions call at 797-1738.