One of the things I love about Davidson is the great performances that get put on every year in the Duke Family Performance Hall. Recently, I went to go see the 6th Annual Greek Apocalypse Step Show, and this weekend I will be performing with Gamut Dance Company, Davidson’s audition-based dance group.

I’ll start with the step show. I looked forward to this event because it brings in step groups from surrounding colleges and universities, all representing their respective fraternities or sororities. But it was especially fun cheering on Davidson’s Upsilon Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Delta’s performance had an extraterrestrial theme (complete with rocket ship and shiny silver spandex), and their stepping was awesome. Coming from Maine, I haven’t really been exposed to step. But since coming to Davidson (through watching the student-led step team “Shades of Brown” and this annual step show) I have found a great appreciation for the attitude and uniqueness of step.

Another area I had never been introduced to was classical dance. I had always enjoyed school dances and dabbled in choreography in high school, but not until coming to Davidson was I exposed to the real possibilities dance offers. I auditioned for Davidson’s Gamut Dance Company, a small group of technically trained dancers, and was accepted on the basis of taking multiple technique classes a week. Since then I have developed my skills and now find myself getting ready to perform in four pieces this Friday and Saturday night. The support I’ve found in Gamut has enabled me to improve my skills as a dancer and develop confidence in my technique. The show, featuring both student and professional choreography, is definitely going to be a great one. I encourage anyone on campus to stop by this Friday or Saturday night and watch some great dancers at work!