Sophomore Alexa Andary ’16 has made All American over summer at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) at Oakland University. All American is an award that is given to a select group of dancers that perform a routine together even though they learned it as a solo. “I did a lot of practicing and drilling it into my head so it would come more natural when I performed,” Alexa said.
First, Alexa started dancing when she was about six-years-old and has been continuing and improving since. “The only individual award I have gotten was the All American freshman and sophomore year. I have gotten other awards though with my team,” Alexa said.
Also, Alexa does five different types of dancing including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and contemporary. She also dances with the WWT dance team. However, her preference is contemporary. “Alexa can do more technical dance moves than the rest of the team,” Lisa Mucha ’15 said. “She brings a positive attitude, great choreography and determination to the team,” Lisa added.
Alexa practices five days a week either at studio or in her own home. “Alexa has grown as a dancer and a performer. She continues to work on and improve her overall techniques,” Coach Kim Maljak said. “We would like Alexa to become a stronger and more confident leader to her teammates,” Maljak added.
Every summer, the Warren Woods Tower dance team goes to Oakland University for dance camp in which UDA contributes to high school dancers all throughout Michigan. There are different levels of dance, being one through five, and there are different types of dance that the team does. These dances include pom routines, hip hop, and kicklines. At camp there are ribbons given to the dancers based on their performance. Blue is the highest, red is middle and white is the lowest. “Alexa is always at a level five, which is the highest level. She also always gets a blue ribbon,” Janine Lowe ’14 said.
Throughout this year Alexa has gained more confidence in her dancing and always looks forward to learning new things. She continues to amaze her teammates and her two coaches as well as her audience. In summer of 2014, Alexa plans on making All American for the third year in a row and will continue this tradition for her senior year.
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