By Gauri Mandala
Entertainment Editor
Over holiday break, the Neshaminy Dance Team flew down to Orlando, Florida to perform at the Macy’s Day Parade in Universal Studios and at the halftime show at the Russell Athletic Bowl. The team worked hard to give their audiences the best show that they possibly could.
As soon as they got there long rehearsals began with their world-famous choreographer, Bonnie Story.
“Working with Bonnie Story was a great pleasure,” junior, Gia Ferrandino, said. “She was so passionate about the routine and her love for dance. This was truly an amazing experience to work with such an amazing choreographer like Bonnie.”
Even late nights and early mornings did not pull the smiles off of the dancers’ faces as they pushed themselves to get better and better. The dancers met with other teams from across the country and made bonds over their shared love of performing.
On Dec. 26, Neshaminy Dance Team performed in the Macy’s Day Parade in Universal Studios to thousands of people. The shining lights and holiday music pumped the team to give it everything they had and give the crowds a reason to cheer along.
“I felt really happy and couldn’t stop smiling. It felt like I was a real professional performer and I loved getting to see all the little kids and adults smiling and waving back,” freshman, Catelyn Ballard, said.
The team also got a chance to explore all the Universal had to offer and in doing so, formed stronger bonds among each other.
“It was a great bonding experience, it made us like a family,” sophomore, Jessica Whelan, said.
After their time at the amusement park had ended, it was the day everyone had been waiting on: the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Three months of preparation were put into making this great. The dancers experienced everything that makes a football game a football game: cheesy pre-game music, large groups of people decked out in their favorite team’s colors, and overpriced soft pretzels. Thousands of people were there for the game.
The second quarter ended, and it was time for the halftime show. The marching bands performed, leaving the audience in amazement over the fantastic show.
“It was so cool getting to walk past all the college football players and college bands and getting to perform on the field of the brand new Russell bowl,” Ballard said.
A wave of blue sequins crashes onto the field as the band begins. The dancers TV debut was nothing less than a continuing rush of excitement as people cheered and the band played.
After the dance was over, the performers ran off the field, attempting to catch their breath and slow their heart rates, unable to wipe the huge grins on their faces.
“For me, the most memorable thing about the Russell Athletic Bowl was doing the performance with all the other schools, the bands, and most of all with my teammates and just having a fun time doing what we love to do together as a team,” Ferrandino said.
For more information on the Neshaminy Dance Team check out:
