By Abigale Paterniti, Staff Writer
Note: This article was updated on Feburary 20, 2024 for accuracy in reporting.
Saturday was an exciting day for dancers in Howard County dance companies as they arrived at Marriotts Ridge High School to perform. After hours of practice and dedication, the day every dancer had been working hard for had finally arrived. Dancers from all thirteen high schools in the county were all in attendance.
Dancers in River Hill’s Junior Company performed a piece titled “Born This Way” and the Senior Company performed a dance titled “Glam.” From the early hour of 8am, dancers began to walk the halls of Marriotts Ridge entering their designated dressing rooms and putting the final touches on their hair and makeup. All in preparation for the dress rehearsal, and rehearsal of bows, in anticipation for the show.
For the all-county dancers, their day began at an even earlier hour, with a final rehearsal for their group piece at 7:45am. “I had to wake up at 5:40 to start my hair and makeup, so that was the earliest morning of my year so far,” says all-county dancer Becca Karon. Remarking on this, Becca mentions, “Starbucks is my best friend; with a little coffee I was energized and ready to go.” For Becca what was most rewarding about the day was, “all the hard work and lengthy rehearsal hours finally paying off.”
Due to inclement weather, two of the three rehearsals for the all-county’s dancers seven minute piece were canceled. This meant these dancers had to finish learning the day of the concert. “It was a lot of pressure but it was fun to work with a team,” Becca declared.
All the other dancers arrived at 8:15 a.m. sharp. “Arriving at 8:15 am was stressful because I forgot my costume at home, so I was running late,” Freshman Leyla Tarhan notes. Although this early arrival was stressful for some, others felt it prepared them for the day, “arriving at 8:15am definitely helped me feel like I had more time to get myself ready and settle down with my things,” freshman Olivia Muzzatti voices.
The favorite part of the day for most dancers was lunch time. Mrs. Byrd, River Hill’s Dance Director, organized a group Panera order for all River Hill company dancers. This was great for energizing dancers with nutritious food, as Mrs. Byrd had intended. “I felt energized, and that was super kind of Mrs. Byrd,” Leyla notes.
Besides the intensity of the day, dancers found themselves smiling and clapping as they watched those from other schools perform. “I felt inspired by the dances I saw because they were all so different,” senior Noa Hen comments. Throughout the entirety of the show, a panel of judges adjudicated the event. It was not a competition, rather a friendly environment for dancers to share their passion, at every skill level.
Beyond the friends and families of the dancers performing, the Howard County Dance Festival attracted attention from administrators across the county, including River Hill’s principal Mr. Motley. Writing in a recent newsletter, “It was an incredible experience to witness the extraordinary talent of our own River Hill dancers, as well as dancers from across the county. The level of skill, creativity, and passion on display was truly inspiring.”
What an enthusiastic day for dancers across the county, and a big thanks from River Hill to Marriotts Ridge High School for making this year’s Dance Festival a grand success.