Sprawled out on the tile floor upstairs in the hallway of Huntley High School, the orchesis dance team warmed up with multiple workouts to get themselves ready for a rough run-through of their upcoming performances.

They are scheduled to perform dance numbers that are choreographed by the dancers in February. For the next two months, they will be running through the show and improving techniques and movements.

The dancers have come a long way from the beginning of the year and have been working hard to perfect their choreography despite the fact that they do not have a private practice area.

“It has been a little difficult with the foot traffic,” said orchesis coach, Leslie Parrin, “But given the situation, we’ve done really well.”

Parrin has been coaching orchesis for 5 years and also teaches French.

Aside from the minor distractions, the girls have choreographed and practiced their own performances successfully. Their dance styles ranged from hip-hop and jazz to lyrical and tap.

As dancers ran through rehearsals, they provided each other with constructive criticism. All the dancers including Parrin sat around the floor with notebooks and pens at hand which watching each individual performance.

“It is interesting to see what they start at and where they go,” said Parrin.

Dancer Brenna Lacey choreographed the entire opening number and has been with orchesis since her freshman year.  The entire team  ran through the opening while Brenna steadily smoothed out the rough edges of the piece and led them through the steps.

“It is difficult, but definitely worth it when you see how much you’ve accomplished,” said Lacey.

Sophomore Bailey O’Rilley and freshman Caitlyn Bethke also choreographed a lyrical dance for themselves and collaborated with one-another on “partner tricks.” Along with Bethke and O’Rilley’s piece, dancers Onyeka Anikamadu and Allison Solis and a few others have composed a group number that is similar to a modern-salsa style of dance.

Every dancer is working toward the final performance in February, where they will showcase their individual dance numbers and dance as a full team.