One Week Until Recital!

It's Friday, meaning that there is one week until the O'Dell Irish Dancers spring recital. I am saddened to realize that this will be the end of my dancing with O'Dell. As I am planning to begin competing in July, my dance time will have to be allocated elsewhere; plus, the drive to Point every week is starting to get rather costly. Still, I am sad to see this era in my dance development come to an end.

O'Dell provided me with my first taste of what an Irish dance school is all about. In doing this, it gave me a solid foundation from which to grow and to expand my dance horizons. The school also fostered in me the confidence and dedication I need in order to dance effectively. I am truly amazed at the progress that I have made since becoming a part of the O'Dell family.

Here is a video of my reel from my first performance with O'Dell at the Amherst Festival of Chocolate--I perform the first two steps between 0:00 and 0:26, the first through third steps (including a solo step) between 4:52 and 5:25, and then the first through third steps again from 6:02-6:35 and 8:09-8:34.





Here is a video of me performing the same reel six months later:





I am really struck by the progress that I have made in this dance. I feel so much more confident about the steps, and I really see that coming through in the dancing: There is a certain strength in my movements that just was not there before. Also, my technique--although still in need of great improvement--has gotten much better. All of this goes to say that I am very pleased with the advances my dancing has made while with O'Dell.

I can not be thankful enough for the presence of an Irish dance school in my hometown community. When I was growing up, I wanted to learn Irish dance so badly but had nowhere to go to do so. It is absolutely wonderful to see children (and adults) have the opportunity to do something that I was only able to dream about at their age. Thank the gods for Jenny Clark and her dedication and perseverance! Seriously, that woman deserves a medal--and perhaps an all-inclusive spa treatment, as well.

O'Dell Irish Dancers really is bringing in a unique cultural art to the Stevens Point community, and I urge everyone to support the school by attending its spring recital.

The show, entitled 'Reel Treblemakers', will consist of Irish dancing--with a little Scottish Highland dancing thrown into the mix-- as well as a performance by a few of the members from Green Tea. The dancers have worked very hard this past year, and this is their chance to showcase what they have learned. It is also the school's one and only fundraiser for the year. So, if you can make it, please come and support local arts and business! The performance will be held at the Jensen Center in Amherst and will begin at 7:30pm. Tickets are available for $6 per person in advance or $8 per person at the door. Children 5 and under are free but still need a ticket for capacity purposes. If you would like to purchase tickets, please let me know or visit the O'Dell website. Additionally, if you would like to go but would need a ride, let me know and I will be sure to work something out.

Thank you all for your support, and thank you O'Dell Irish Dancers for welcoming me into your family this past year. You have all touched my heart so much, and it is because of you that I can feel ready and confident enough to take my dancing to the next level. May the school as well as each individual dancer prosper in the years to come!