Jamie Gleason, putting the leap into Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Ballet

 Written by Joey Skavroneck, 7th Grade, Weddington Middle School
 
   Athletes, when they’re sweating, smelling, or making a point on some court or field, usually are considered entertaining, not graceful and filled with beauty. Most of us know that beauty and grace is found in the dancer. That is why Albert Einstein once said, “Dancers are the athletes of God.”

   Shanna LaFleur, a great dancer, once said, “It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer.” Both artistic and athletic qualities are required to be a dancer. 

  Jamie Gleason kicks into High-Gear as she dances from classical ballet to Hip-Hop. Jamie, a seventh grader at Weddington Middle School, works out as a dancer seven hours a week at Rhythm Dance Studio. These seven hours of practice require athleticism and artistic talent.   Coached by Barbara Morgan Eves, Jamie described her coach in three words, ‘Tough, highly motivational, and very enthusiastic.”

   She has danced on the Showstoppers TV Show, and has performed the musical “Born to Be Wild” by Onstage performances.  Jamie takes her skills on the dance floor, where she performs classical ballet, to upbeat jazz, and even lyrical hip-hop, and applies them to all aspects in her life.
 
   In the summer, she keeps in shape by swimming for the Somerset Stingrays Swim Team, where she swims breast-stroke. For fun, Jamie loves to compete in the summer neighborhood leagues with her friends. 
 
  On an academic note, Jamie holds a straight “A” average in the AIG program. She disciplines and balances her time both on and off the dance floor with school.

 From Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” to Akon’s “I Wanna Love You”; Jamie can perform a dance to any style of music.