St. Charles East High School dancers to teach grade-schoolers

For the girls of the St. Charles East High School drill team, the students become the teachers next week as they lead a dance workshop for young girls.

Girls who register for the workshop learn three of the four types of dance the drill team members know: hip-hop, jazz, kick and prop.

"Hip hop is a more contemporary style with nontraditional dance moves; jazz is more upbeat and a fast moving traditional dance, and kick encompasses any dance with a kick grind," said Drill Team Booster Club member Dawn Brueske.

"Prop is anything with a prop like a pair of sunglasses or a hat."

The drill team members choose what types of dance the girls learn, as well as their music and costuming.

Brueske's daughter, Brittany, is the team captain and will be one of the girls on the drill team who will serve as coaches to grade school girls.

"Almost all of the girls on the drill team went to the dance workshop when they were younger, so it is really full circle for them," said Brueske.

Three to four girls from the drill team coach each grade, first through eighth.

The workshop is also a team fundraiser.

The $55 fee to register for the dance workshop goes "to pay for our biggest cost, costuming, as well as transportation."

More than 60 girls are signed up right now, but there is plenty of room for more.

The workshop will take place at St. Charles East High School Sports Center, 1020 Dunham Road, June 15 through 19, when the girls perform for their friends and family.

For details on how to register your daughter for the dance workshop, you can call Jennifer Payne at (630) 587-9253 or go to the drill team's Web site at stcedrillteam.com.