The Observer sat down with junior Alex Watts and talked about Dance Company’s, also known as DCo’s, goals for this year.
1. What’s your role on dance company next year?
“Currently I am vice president, but we haven’t had voting for positions for next year yet.”
2. Briefly describe DCo and what kinds of dances and shows the team puts on year round?
“DCo is a group that performs various styles of dance, ranging from tap to lyrical to hip hop.  Each girl on the company brings her own style to the team and contributes her own choreography. We have two big shows per year in Centennial Hall: one in the fall and one in the spring. Our spring show is coming up on April 23 at 7 p.m. This year, for the first time, we attended a UDA Dance Competition in Chicago, where we placed first in the Jazz category.  Besides these events, we also perform at various school events including the Talent Show, Mr. Augustana and Relay for Life.”
3. What are some goals the team has this year?
“Each year we strive to attain a higher level of artistic excellence, and this year was no different. Attending a competition and getting to see other college dance teams compete was an amazing experience for us, and we hope to continue to grow and improve going into next year.”
4. In your three years, what has been your favorite performance thus far and why?
“My favorite performance was my first show, fall term of my freshman year.  I was so enthralled to have the opportunity to dance with such amazing dancers, and I couldn’t believe I had made it onto such a fantastic team. DCo has truly become a family for me on campus and being a part of it has been one of my favorite experiences at Augie.”
5. If you had to describe your team in one word, what would it be and why?
“If I had to describe DCo in one word, it would be harmonious.  We all work together very well and have accomplished a lot together.  We have a lot of different qualities; we are from a lot of different places; we are majoring in different things; we have come across our love of dance in different ways, but together we somehow synchronize to create meaningful performances.”
6. What would you say to someone that says dancing isn’t a sport?
“Dancing isn’t a sport in a lot of ways. It’s subjective; it’s artistic; it’s expressive; but it is absolutely athletic. Dancing combines a lot of physical elements necessary in all sports: strength, balance, flexibility, etc. I think it requires the same level of athleticism and skill we associate with any other sport.”