James Clemens hosts Dance Extravaganza for school teams, studios

The James Clemens Dance Team includes Mady McLay, front from left, and Ari Barley and Grace Ellis, back from left, Julia Maynard, Elizabeth Joens, Meg O’Bryant, Anna White, Megan Benedict and Taylor Halloway (not pictured Megan Cooper). (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The varsity dance team at James Clemens High School devised a fundraiser that doubled in promoting community solidarity.

The second-year James Clemens Dance Team wanted an annual fundraiser that “showcases local dance studios and dance teams, along with building a stronger community bond,” event coordinator and parent volunteer Casie Joens said.

Their first annual Dance Extravaganza attracted more than 260 dancers performing in all styles of dance — from tap and jazz to hip-hop and lyrical, Joens said. Dance Extravaganza was held in the James Clemens auditorium on Jan. 4.

“All dancers supported the others with no regard to their home studio or school,” Joens said. The event included vendors from local companies. Master of ceremonies Trace Cooper entertained with magic during set changes.

Along with James Clemens, dance teams performed from Liberty, Discovery and Monrovia middle schools, along with students from Heidi Knight School of Dance, Southern Sensations and 80 students from The Dance Company Inc.

“What a fun day of dance,” The Dance Company co-owner Julie George said. “We had a wonderful time supporting James Clemens’ dance team. It was also fun to see so many of our dancers represented on” school dance teams.

More than “65 dances were all perfectly choreographed and performed,” Joens said. “Little girls as young as five or six years old were doing amazing routines. Older girls dazzled the crowd with unbelievable dance technique.”

Joens commended the choreographers and costume coordinators for “clowns, bathing beauties, storm troopers and ball players. Dances made you cry, laugh and just plain tap your foot.”

Solos, group routines and production numbers “provided a well-rounded showcase of local talent for the audience to watch and enjoy,” Joens said.

George described the Dance Extravaganza as “a great performance opportunity in the community. It’s always a joy to see others in the dance community come together to support such a great cause.”

For information about The Dance Company, call 256-461-8759, email to bethandjulie@thedancecompanyinc.com or visit thedancecompanyinc.com or Facebook/thedancecompanyinc.