The dance community at Panther Creek is constantly expanding. This community is looking to become more involved and bigger this year, with the hopes of getting the whole school involved with activities such as dance club and dance team. After speaking with Mrs. Hamblen, the Panther Creek dance teacher, and a few of her students, she was able to give some insight into the dance community. She said that one of her top goals this year was to travel more with her students. Mrs. Hamblen was hoping she and the dance classes could go see a ballet, go to New York City and hopefully go on an international dance trip later on in the coming years. Aside from her regular dance classes, she wanted to bring in an artist from New York to work with the Dance Company, a year-long dance class at PC for very advanced/ experienced dancers. The Dance Company still plans to have one dance concert each season during the school year (fall, winter, and spring).

These concerts are generally composed of dancers from Mrs. Hamblen’s dance classes. With this opportunity any person who loves to dance can participate in PC’s Dance concerts. Along the lines of dance club, Mrs. Hamblen said that she is hoping for more dance and choreography related meetings. After speaking with a member of the dance company class,  Megan Yaffey, said, “This year I want to grow as a dancer and develop close relationships with the girls in my class.” A big part of the dance company and dance at Panther Creek in general is to gain experience and connect with other dancers involved.

A lot of these new guidelines require more funding. A way to fund dance is through sponsors. The most essential funding project to fund is the annual Laura Rozo memorial scholarship which is given out later in the year. If the dance community can go on more trips then they will be able to explore more of the world of dance and understand it more outside of a classroom setting. More extensive trips and guest artists are big hopes for dance club. Mrs. Hamblen also mentioned that dance may be auditioning for “Pieces of Gold,” held at the Raleigh memorial in March.

Although dance is a smaller department compared to other clubs, they have a huge impact on the student body. Panther Creek’s dance program has the potential to continue to grow and build itself up in a way that it can positively impact within and outside the school, by promoting creativity, leadership, community, and kindness.