Anna Walker ’18 has been dancing for 12 years and has incorporated dance into her time at North Central. She is part of the dance team and the treasurer for the Cardinal Dance Company on campus.
Walker began dancing when her friend suggested she try a dance class out with her in fifth grade. It was that first dance class that Walker realized that she wanted to continue dancing. Shortly after, her dance teacher recommended that she try out for the competitive dance team at her studio.
“She is one of the reasons that dance has become such a huge part of my life,” Walker said. Since then, Walker has pursued her passion for dance well into her college years. During high school, she was a member of the dance team. At North Central, she has danced on the dance team and the Cardinal Dance Company.
Although she may be graduating this June, Walker has no plans to walk away from dancing. Whether it be dancing in a company or teaching dance lessons, she “could not possibly imagine (her) life without dance.”
Walker is currently gearing up for the Cardinal Dance Company showcase that is taking place on May 27 at 3 p.m. in Pfeiffer Hall. The event is free, but the dance company does accept donations. The showcase will feature various types of dance, including jazz, lyrical, tap and so much more.
“It is one of my favorite events of the year because every dancer gets to share their passion and creativity with their friends and family,” Walker said.
The showcase is run by the students—with students choreographing their own dance numbers that they have been perfecting all spring. “The choreographers work especially hard to make sure their visions come to life on stage, and it is amazing to see how they turn out,” she said.
Walker has also been hard at work choreographing dances for the show. She is choreographing two dances: a contemporary dance and a tap dance, choreographed alongside her friend Taylor Babbs. She begins her choreographing process by choosing a song, and from there, she imagines a story she wishes to tell through her dancing. While choreographing a dance can be a tricky and time-consuming task, she enjoys seeing her vision come to life because of “the amazing dancers (she) is so lucky to be able to work with.”
As her college career comes to a close, she is thankful she was able to be part of a group such as the Cardinal Dance Company. “It means a lot to me to be a part of a group that loves dancing just as much as I do,” she said. She’ll miss the people she’s been able to work alongside almost every day the most.
