New instructor keeps bar high for performance group
Nicole Drews has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She began her career in dance at the Hanover Park Park District when she was just three years old. She continued dancing at the St. Charles Park District when her family moved to the area in third grade, but once she entered middle school, she realized her true passion for dance. “I loved doing hip hop and started to take classes at a local dance company,” she said, “I had so much fun performing up on stage!”
When Drews was a freshman in high school she decided to try out for the St. Charles North Drill Team. She competed all four years of high school and took first place at state every year. “Joining the Drill Team was the best thing I could have done!” she said.
Drews has been teaching classes at the Batavia Park District for the past year. Earlier this summer, the head instructor of Showstoppers, the Park District's Performance Group, stepped down due to family obligations, and a new instructor was needed to fill those large shoes. Lori McDonald, recreation supervisor in charge of the dance program at the Park District, knew Drews would be able to rise to the challenge. “Nicole was fully capable of taking the lead,” McDonald said, “She's great with the girls, and she came highly recommended by the other dance instructors.”
Being head instructor for Performance Group is no easy task. It involves managing a group of 14 girls who practice once a week as a group and participate in three competitions from February through May. The rest of the year is devoted to performances, open houses and other events to prepare the girls for competitions. As head instructor, Drews is in charge of choreography, music and costumes, but more importantly she's responsible for instructing the girls and being a positive role model. “I have such high hopes for all the girls,” Drews said, “All the girls are so talented, and I hope to show them that it's not always about winning. It's about teamwork and coming together.”
Teamwork has always been the driving force behind Performance Group. “Being involved in this group helps the girls understand what the word ‘team' means,” McDonald said. She also wants Performance Group to help enrich the lives of the dancers beyond doing steps on a stage. She wants the girls to learn the importance of confidence, creativity and having a positive attitude!
This year's Performance Group will have competitions February 24-26, April 13-15 and May 25-27. To learn more about this incredible group, please contact Lori McDonald at 630-406-5282 ext. 2161 or lorim@bataviaparks.org.