As most Redwood students may know, Redwood’s competitive dance team known as Dance Force is not easy to make. However, two of our very own freshmen have managed to do so. Gwyneth Miller, ’25 and Marileigh Coon, ’25 have not only been dancing together for about 12 years, but now have been given the privilege and opportunity to continue each other’s friendship through the Redwood Dance Force team.
According to Miller, she has been dancing for almost 12 years now, most of those years being at the competitive dance program, Dance Arts. Miller’s favorite part about dancing through all these years has been her ability to “see [herself] improve.” She adds, “Every move you make feels different than the last. It’s really interesting to experiment with things and finally find what works and looks the best.”
Making the Dance Force team is a huge accomplishment for any dancer who makes it, let alone being a freshman. Having the honor of being one of the two to do so, Miller says, “It feels awesome… dance is something I’m really passionate about, so I’m excited to be challenged this year with this class.”
“This team has a really strong bond. It feels more like spending time with your closest family friends. I really love how we encourage each other, and lift each other up.”
Gwyneth Miller, ’24
This being her first official year not only as a Redwood Ranger, but as a Dance Force member, Miller is most looking forward to dancing at a football game. She says, “I have been to Redwood football games as a spectator, but I’m excited to see how it will feel to actually be down on the field.”
Making the Dance Force team is a rite of passage alone. Making it with one of your oldest friends makes it that much sweeter. Miller and Coon not only have a long history of dancing together, but also happen to be neighbors. In regards to their friendship, Miller says, “we have become pretty good friends… she [Coon] is an amazing dancer, and I’m so glad I get to spend time with her on the team.”
Coon began dancing around the same age as Miller. She not only dances for Dance Arts, but DyNamX as well. Having a grave passion for this style of art has been a big part of Coon’s life. She says, “The best part about dance is getting to feel good while moving to music that makes you happy.”
Since before Coon was even a freshman she knew being a part of Dance Force was something she “always wanted to do.” She adds, “It is such an amazing opportunity to be on the team this year, and I am very grateful for all the support I have had along the way.” Now that she has accomplished her dream, Coon is most looking forward to the dance show that will be taking place next semester.
Simply being a part of the team has been the best part for Coon so far this year. She states, “I know that everyone was super bummed out that there were no performances last year, so it is awesome to be getting to do that this year.”
Dance Force instructor, Michele Lapp is looking forward to coach up Coon and Miller. She says, “I have had the privilege to work with them at dance clinics that the team [Dance Force] has hosted in the past, and noticed their amazing technique and positive attitudes.”
So far this school year, Miller and Coon have brought a “new energy” to the team, Lapp says. She adds, “their enthusiasm is contagious.”
Knowing Coon and Miller’s potential for the team, Lapp is expecting them to give it their best, and bring their all for every performance they will have. Lapp says, “They already have all the tools they need to be successful, they just need to really embrace learning new choreography and all the traditions along the way.”
“It is a pleasure to be able to teach these amazing young ladies. It is so much fun for me to choreograph routines throughout the year, and it is a treat to have so much talent to work with.”
Michele Lapp, Dance Force Instructor
Students, staff, parents, and everyone in between knows trying out for the Dance Force team is nowhere near easy. Out of all the freshmen that had tried out for the team, Lapp chose Miller and Coon because of their “high-level technique… along with their character and academic excellence,” Lapp explains.
Dance Force captain, Emerson Pressley, ’22 is very excited for this year’s team, and is looking forward to “help choreograph… plan events, and lead the class.” Being one of the leaders, making the incoming freshmen feel welcome and a part of the family is one of her most important jobs, especially at the beginning of the year.
According to Pressley, having Coon and Miller on the team has been “so great… they are both super sweet, and really good at dance.”
“All of us are super close on the team and have built friendships with each other this year which makes the year a lot easier and more fun.”
Emerson Pressley, ’22 Dance Force Captain
The team will be performing next on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 for the Homecoming rally in the Bowl during students’ fourth periods.
Sydney Brammer
Sydney Brammer, '22 is currently in her fourth year writing for the Redwood Gigantea. She has a strong passion for featuring the humans of Redwood, and enjoys putting the spotlight on the underdog. She has written for the Visalia Times Delta and Sungazette Sports. You can reach her by email at sydneybr17@gmail.com.
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