Meghen Frerichs says the dance studio is where she can be herself.
In preparation for Royal BayB次元官网网址檚 first dance recital, Feb. 11 at the Colwood high schoolB次元官网网址檚 new Teechamitsa Theatre, the 17-year-old spends hours there twirling, jumping and leaping to music.
Despite a busy final year of high school, the Grade 12 student said she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have it any other way.
B次元官网网址�(With dance), the best part is feeling like I have a place of belonging in the school. IB次元官网网址檝e always felt like I didnB次元官网网址檛 fit in,B次元官网网址� Frerichs said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of girls like soccer or music. (But) this is a place I really belong. This is my area; IB次元官网网址檓 comfortable here.B次元官网网址�
A dancer since she was three, sheB次元官网网址檒l join a group of dancers onstage at the recital where theyB次元官网网址檒l perform jazz, lyrical and contemporary stylings.
Frerichs said the show is a barometer of sorts, showing how far she and the group have come.
B次元官网网址淥ur ValentineB次元官网网址檚 show in February is a little sneak peak into our June show. ItB次元官网网址檚 a chance to showcase our repertoire to see what weB次元官网网址檝e been doing in the (dance) academy,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited for the show to let the community see what we are doing and our brand new theatre, which is beautiful.B次元官网网址�
Guiding the troupe is Leanne Harrington, who moved over from Belmont secondary to Royal Bay to continue the academy and brought 22 years of dance instruction experience. Her hope, she said, is to create and build new traditions with the new program, the new facilities and the new school.
B次元官网网址淭his year we decided to do things a bit differently and set new traditions, so we thought we would do a ValentineB次元官网网址檚 show,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really excited to be able to do our first show ever in this theatre (but a bit) nervous.B次元官网网址�
She is glad that parents and the greater community that appreciates the arts will be able to join them in the new space to share that experience.
Tickets are $5 at the door or available in advance through the dance studio at Royal Bay secondary on Ryder Hesjedal Way off Latoria Road.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
