By Veda Siddons
Beneath fingertips scorched by curling irons and the crisp film of hairspray, the Western New England Dance Team choreographs and refines routines that combine passion and teamwork into every move. Unlike the many roles in sports like football, these dancers are dependent on cohesion. If a single element falls out of sync, the entirety of the routine may unravel. Some may deem this as critical or unachievable, but for the Golden Bears, it’s what drives them forward.
As you walk into the aerobics room, you’ll notice that the perimeter of the room is lined with varying recreational activities. But the importance lies in the center of the room, where the light flows on the dancers. The hard wood floor, with a waxy coating, shows the wear of all the turns and corrections within each dark scratch and lightened patches. The dancers flood into the room, like moths to light. It is evident that they feel that it is their home. The many steel water bottles smash into their robust keychains and hit the run-down floor as they settle in to shed their outside selves, because here, they are vessels for this art form. The practice that lies ahead of them is set for two hours. Two hours of intensive training, especially in a room lacking pristine air conditioning, may be draining for some, but Dance Team Choreographer, Lexi Piacenza had a solution for the Golden Bears. Piacenza stated that during long practices, “We tend to elevate the team’s spirit with inspiring comments.”
A few hours after the sun has set and their small run throughs are over; the dance team takes a dusty walk around the Healthful Living Center to the Golden Bear Stadium. The piercing white lights that hover above and the dense fog that appears to be puppet by the empty sky creates a surreal atmosphere. The mist lightly touches the cold metal bleachers that have not been touched by the sun in a moment. The white box that lingers above holds the technicalities of the performance many will see the next day. Maelee Warren, the team’s social media manager, is up there controlling the music. Sarah Hazeltine, advisor of the team, directs them through the two hours they spend on the field that evening. Through every correction and scream, her passion for the teams’ success shows.
Saturday morning is occupied with perfecting appearances and reciting the routine and meticulous spacing on the turf. All dancers are told to meet in the aerobics room, one last time before reality is tangible. Walking onto the field, the cold breeze provides a soothing element to this nerve-racking day. Glitter flows endlessly on the sidelines while the team anticipates half-time. The nerves run deep, and the team rehearses the routine on the sidelines in an attempt to feel more sure.
Once they run onto the field, standing on the Golden Bear in the center, they all know they only have one chance to get this right; it is their debut. The music fills the air and queues each dancer to do certain movements. For two minutes, everything else is silent; it is freeing.
Once the dance is over, some dancers exit the field after their powerful hip-hop performance, eyes welled up with tears. For most of them, the idea that they have come this far with their dancing is overwhelming, even if some only began dancing in the middle of August at the Performing Arts Camp. For first-year student Rachel Matrose, this was a full circle moment. She has been dancing and performing for 16 years. Her mother and father were in the stands while they watched their daughter perform, just like they always have. “They have loved watching me dance since I was two, so it’s a nice full circle moment for them to get to watch me in college now,” Matrose said. It is emotionally moving to witness parents enjoy these performances as much as the performers.
The hard work that the Western New England Dance team pours into their sport is inspiring; they are a constant reminder to all that dance is not just an art form but also a celebration of pure dedication and heart.
