Glitter girls compare and contrast dancing with the dance team and at a studio

From the gym floor to the main stage, Glitter Girls sophomore Haley Eksi and senior Rachael Sorcher split their time between being a member of the dance team and dancing at a studio. The main differences between the two come down to the varying styles, dance team having pom, kick, hip hop  and contemporary dance, while studio competition is mainly tap, jazz, contemporary, production, small group and musical theater. Despite their differences, the girls’ passion for dance can be found on all stages.

Haley Eksi

When she is not performing on the basketball court with the rest of the Glitter Girls, sophomore Haley Eksi can be found on stage dancing with Jody Phillips Dance Company. Eksi said unlike Glitter Girls, studio competition dancing “is mainly based off cleanliness as a team and dance studio competition is more based off of technique and skill level.” Eski said her favorite part about studio competition is being with people that share her same passion.

“I love performing and taking convention classes,” Eksi said. “Mainly being with my best friends though, my dance friends are my best friends because I am with them all the time.”

Rachael Sorcher

Senior Rachael Sorcher said each halftime show takes lots of time,  hard work and dedication.

“We work for months to prepare three dances for competition,” Sorcher said. “We usually learn the dances in the summer, or the beginning of the year.”

Unlike a studio setting, the dance team gets to practice its routines in front of the school before heading to the competition. Like Eksi, Sorcher thinks the Glitter Girls’ goal is to dance as one unit.

“We work hard to make sure each movement is uniform,” Sorcher said. “My favorite part is getting to showcase our dances that we have spent months perfecting.”