Meet the Dance Team that Loves New challenges!

Fresh from their performance at the ESF showcase, the Island Dance Team talk to media team reporter, Priscilla Lee, about their challenges and triumphs.  

At the ESF dance showcase teams performed original routines. Island School’s dance team choreographed a piece called ‘Dollhouse’ which mixed different dance styles.

Sohana Daswani, a co-leader of the dance team. “We have rehearsals multiple times a week, during lunchtimes and every Wednesday after school. It’s definitely time consuming and challenging, but in the end, it’s worth it!” She goes on to say, “The Island Dance team is a very supportive community, with a collective passion for performing, and dance in general.”

Sohana started Bollywood dancing at the age of 3, and at 6, she was introduced to a wider variety of styles, with contemporary/modern being her favorite. “I love dance simply because it’s fun. It’s a way of conveying emotions and it makes me forget about all my troubles. I get to just focus on what I am doing and do it to the best of my ability, which is a brilliant way to relieve stress. Without a doubt, I could say that it has built my confidence throughout the years, and made me who I am today.”

Anees Chopra, another co-leader also agrees, “Dance is definitely fun. It’s also challenging, and really pushes you to your limits. The Island Dance team is good in that sense, because you can face these challenges with friends in school.”

Anees, who has been dancing for over 5 years, explains their Dollhouse routine. “Dollhouse is about freedom to be an individual, and societal controls or pressures. Personally, I really enjoyed it because we combined contemporary, jazz and hip-hop dancing. The group leaders choreographed most of the dance which really challenged us.”

“It was a long process and at times we felt like giving up.” Sohana admitted. “Putting together a dance takes a lot of patience, effort and time, there are simply no shortcuts! We had to brainstorm ideas, manage our time, and ensure that everyone in the group was on the same page. Despite all the troubles, in the end, we pulled it together. We are very proud of what we have accomplished, and we’ve not only improved as individuals, but also as a team. It was definitely an experience I’ll never forget!”

These passionate dances have a call to action, Sohana, “Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel a bit awkward or uncomfortable when trying something new!”

Anees adds. “If dance isn’t challenging, you’re not doing it right!”