Just dance - and choreograph

Taylor Hicks, who will attend Texas Tech University in the fall, took her passion for dance to the next level when she was asked to choreograph during her senior year at Memorial High School.

Ever since I was 3 years old, I have had a passion for dance. I have studied various styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, contemporary, lyrical, modern and hip-hop. Out of all the genres, hip-hop is definitely my favorite. There is something special about this style of dance that makes me feel free and jubilant. I really enjoy learning new dances and have recently discovered that I like to choreograph as well.

I have been a member of the Memorial Markettes for the past three years, holding a dance officer position for two of those years. As a dance officer, I was given the chance to choreograph dances for pep rallies and Spring Show, our annual show at the end of each year. At first, choreography was not something I enjoyed; I could never seem to think of new moves and did not feel comfortable coming up with my own dances in fear that someone may not like my ideas.

For our Spring Show, I was given the task of choreographing for the junior and senior (veteran) dance. I spent a long time fantasizing about the final product; I envisioned what I wanted, but I was not quite sure how to create it. I felt especially pressured, knowing that it was my last dance to choreograph and it was my most important so far since it would be in the Spring Show. When the dance was complete and polished, I finally got to stand out in the crowd and watch what I had created come to life. I was no longer worried about choreographing because I felt confident that I was able to create fun and captivating dances. Markettes gave me the opportunity to overcome my uncomfortable attitude toward choreographing and allowed me to create my own dances. Now, as a graduated senior, I have been asked to return at the end of the summer and choreograph the senior dance for this upcoming year. I feel honored to be asked back and cannot wait to watch that dance come to life.

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