March 2023 “Spotlight”

March started off with a bang! All the classes are working hard on choreography for our Spring performance pieces. Most of the costumes are in, and the dancers look terrific! If you would like to check out what your dancer is wearing, or the art piece that inspired their dance, pictures are available in the front waiting area in the Main Building. Come in and take a peek!

Our annual fundraising gala, Casino Royale, was March 4th at Swinomish Casino & Lodge, and it was a huge success! We raised over $73,000 to support dance education and performance, making it our most successful event ever. WOW!!! > Thank you to all the sponsors, parents, staff, and community members that supported us! We couldn’t have done it with out you! Here are the links to our featured dances during the event.

https://vimeo.com/809975658/7383e42021 Bond

https://vimeo.com/809975682/30d60c1f65 Diamonds

A special shout out thank you to Peoples Bank, Anacortes Rotary, and Soroptomist International Anacortes!!! They were our special dance competition teams this year. These guest dancers committed six weeks to learning student-led choreography and routines and performed for our guests at Casino Royale ! Congratulations to Anacortes Rotary; they will be our returning champs next year!!

Alumni Highlight

Fidalgo DanceWorks Alumni Q & A 

Name: Isabel Shainin

Date: 3/8/22

1. Please introduce yourself. Tell us your name, age, where you live, and what you do professionally. 

I’m Isabel Shainin - I’m 19 and currently attending Emory University in Georgia as a psychology/neuroscience major on the pre-research track. 

2. Is dance still a part of your life? Are you still dancing? Tell us about it! 

Yes! I’m part of a ballroom club on campus, and I’m teaching swing dance to anyone that wants to learn - I taught my a cappella group, and I’ve met a few friends who also have dance background.

3. Tell us about your dance background. When did you start dancing? What styles of dance have you studied? What’s your favorite style and why? 

I started dancing when I was around three years old, so I’ve done everything from preschool combo class to ballet to tap - I had a brief stint in hip-hop and modern classes, but mostly danced tap and swing. I love the joy that radiates from both swing and tap. It’s hard not to smile and groove, especially since they’re both extremely rhythm focused. Social dancing is such a fun way to get to know people and build trust. 

4. When did you start dancing at Fidalgo DanceWorks? Tell us a couple of your favorite memories of your time with us. 

I’ve only ever danced at FDW. Some of my favorite memories are swing-related. I love dancing with Patrick Quinn because we know each other’s cues and it feels so natural. He’ll be mad at me for sharing this, but swing dancing while you’re exhausted and slightly delirious is not the best idea - one time he fainted during a (minor) stunt and I fell on top of him. Choreographing my senior solo involved a lot of giggling and falling over. 

5. Why was dance important to you growing up? Why is it important as an adult? 

Dancing is one of the best ways to express joy that often gets tamped down or forgotten about in daily life, but it’s also a form of therapy. Through dancing, I’m able to truly feel the hardest emotions and process them. I’ve also found a strong community through dance, both among fellow dancers but also the wider FDW family and the ways that we support one another. 

6. What advice do you have for our current students? 

Class can be grueling, and dance should bring you joy - if you are leaving class miserable or dread going, it’s not cowardly to quit and take care of yourself. I wouldn’t have found as much joy in swing if I hadn’t stepped away from other styles that I wasn’t enjoying. Most of us won’t, and don’t want to, be professionals - we’re just here to have fun and exercise. 

7. What should our community know about FDW? 

FDW is a beautiful hub of music and creation in our community. So many people are involved - dancers, teachers, parents, volunteers, the stage crew and digital media club at AHS, etc. - and it brings joy to countless people. 

Dance Q & A 

1. Who was your most influential teacher and why? 

Ms. Lorrie taught my early tap classes, and I credit her with making me fall in love with dance. 

2. What was your favorite dance role or production? Why? 

Neverland last year will always hold a special place in my heart. After being hit with covid in the middle of high school, dancing in a far away land with people I’ve known my whole life felt like healing and closing that chapter in a good way. The messages of Peter Pan stories about mourning the loss of your childhood but also finding hope in growing up and the people you love resonate deeply with me. Another favorite role was being a ladybug in Midsummer Night’s Dream when I was quite young. We had to chase Bottom off the stage, but he was wearing a mask while running backward and accidentally fell into the audience. I think everyone was okay, but that was hilarious as a kid.

3. If you couldn’t be a dancer, what would you be? 

I’ve always been, and will always be, a creative. Painting and making music fulfill me in the same way as dance. 

4. What’s the worst thing about being a dancer? What’s the best thing? 

The worst part is that you will never be as good as you want to be. Your body has limitations and it works differently than others, and comparing your body and your talents can go down quite a dangerous path. The best part happens when you come to terms with that and appreciate your body for all the amazing things it can do. The moment when you lose your thoughts and all the hard parts of life spill out into the universe as you move is unmatched. 

Encore 

1. What’s your favorite food / drink? 

Figgy buns from Pelican Bay are my comfort food splurge. 

2. What’s your favorite song? 

That is so tricky. My go-to nostalgic sing-your-heart-out song is “So Close” from Enchanted, but recently “Free” by Florence + The Machine has summed up my attitude towards dance. 

3. What’s your party trick? 

Honestly, being able to swing dance.

4. Dance movies – love or hate? 

Love - even if they’re terrible. I adore musicals, and I love making fun of terrible dance movies.

Our very own Ms. Alexandria got a shout out in the Fidalgo Elementary newsletter for her work with the 2nd and 3rd graders on their spring musicals. They had a blast working with her!

Congratulations to Aubrey Rittel! She made Student of the Month for March. She also made it to state with the Anacortes High School Math Team.

If you know a FDW dancer whose accomplishments need a shout out, please let us know! We’d love to feature them in a future installment of “Spotlight.” Send details to studio@fidalgodanceworks.org