I longed to tap dance as a child after becoming enthralled by the movie musicals of the 1930s, 40s and 50s starring great dancers like Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth and many more. It was an urge I couldn’t shake so when my dance school put on a massive show, called GLOW, in a proper theatre with a technical rehearsal, dress rehearsal and four live performances it felt like ticking off a lifelong dream.
I first saw adult tap classes on offer in Aberdeen about 10 years ago and nearly found the courage to go but chickened out. Finally, three years ago, I took the plunge and started in a beginners’ adult tap class at Academy Street Dance School.
Fast forward to today and I’m now in the improvers class and our teacher choreographed a fantastic routine to Michael Bublé’s Higher. I’m not going to lie: it was hard. But I practised every day and got a few extra private classes with my teacher to nail the steps. On opening night I was so nervous I was convinced the audience could hear my heart beat. But I did it and it felt great.
Ben, Daniel and Elizabeth all came along on Saturday to watch the show and I think they enjoyed it.
When I wasn’t on stage I volunteered backstage to help with the 2-4 year olds, keeping them entertained and assisting with their costume changes. From what I could tell they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience too as did their parents, one of whom told me she got all teary seeing her child on stage. Having watched Elizabeth on stage many times now I know what that feels like.
I am now beyond exhausted as it has been two very full-on weeks, first with NAFCo and now GLOW. Both have given me wonderful volunteering opportunities where I got to meet lots of new people and get to know others much better than I did before. I also got to see Elizabeth perform in NAFCo and she got to see me perform in GLOW. Now it is time to relax and catch up on things I’ve let slide a bit like the garden and housework.
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