Dancing Together
Backstage at Fairmount’s end-of-session dance performance the energy is electric.
The most advanced dancers have the privilege of changing in the green room, with its Hollywood-style vanity mirrors and close proximity to the stage doors. Dancers in their sparkling costumes put the finishing touches on their hair and make-up while sharing inside jokes and giggles. Nine of these dancers are a part of the Fairmount Dance Company (FDC).
FDC is a performance-based group that meets weekly at Fairmount to rehearse original works to perform in the community and throughout the region. Some of these dancers have been twirling onstage together since they were little. Now in middle and high school, these students juggle their academic school schedules with several after-school Fairmount dance classes during the week, rehearsal blocks on the weekends, and performance opportunities sprinkled in throughout the season.
This close-knit group not only loves to dance, but loves to dance together at Fairmount. “Fairmount is really close to my house, which is really nice,” says Elise, following up by saying, “At other studios, it is a lot about competition, and sometimes the teachers are really harsh on body image, but it is not like that at Fairmount at all.” Fellow dancer Lillie says, “I’ve seen other friends have really close friends in sports, and I’m so happy that I’ve found that at Fairmount.” Morgan adds, “I think after you’ve danced for a while, and you’re on stage together, and you’re not in competition with each other, you start to really feel like a team.”
The teamwork seen onstage may not be as apparent as that seen on, say a soccer field, but dancing together is just as much of a team sport. The rules of the “game” are directed by the instructor and guided by the chosen music. The dancers need to be aware of each other’s movements and spacing to create beautiful patterns across the stage. The end goal is simply to make beauty and bring music to life visually, rather than to score a goal.
When asked if the dancers had close friendships outside of Fairmount’s studio walls, a resounding “YES!” was said in response. “We’ve decorated pointe shoes together and put together vision boards… we like to do crafts together,” said Morgan. Lillie says that she enjoys having a group of friends outside of school with Elise commenting, “It’s refreshing.”
Fairmount’s mission is not only to offer access to arts education, but to build a strong community using the arts as a vehicle for connection and creativity. These dancers have not only found a creative outlet for themselves that they will carry with them throughout their lives, but they’ve found their home away from home here at Fairmount - a perfect example of what Fairmount is capable of offering for young students in the area.
We have surpassed $1,000 in funds raised towards our matching goal of $5,000 to support the Fairmount Scholarship Fund!
You can make a positive, life-changing impact right now on a young aspiring artist by contributing an amount of any size. All gifts are matched 1:1 for the rest of June thanks to the generosity of a passionate Fairmount supporter.
Join the movement in making the arts more accessible in your home community!
