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Fehr, Rohlfsen dance in State Solo Competition

Dylan Rohlfsen and Sable Fehr at the State Solo Dance competition. Photo submitted.

North Tama Dance Team members Sable Fehr and Dylan Rohlfsen competed in the State Dance Solo Competition at Newton High School on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“I was very excited for Sable to do this because it was out of her comfort zone,” coach Becky Adams said. “I wanted her to do it her senior year and she took a leap of faith. I saw so many improvements with Dylan and if she executed well, she’d have a Division I rating.”

Both girls mainly prepared their solos on their own and only went to Adams for questions on technique, music and uniforms. All choreography for their solos are created by them over the course of several weeks. Rohlfsen, a junior, participated last year and had a year of experience under her belt to teach her.

“Last year was a trial run because I wanted to get a feel for the competition,” Rohlfsen said. “”It really helped me feel more prepared and know to expect. I just want to keep improving and challenging myself to become a better soloist.”

Fehr was the total opposite as she had not competed in State Solo before and is currently a senior. Knowing it was her last year at North Tama, she decided to go out with a bang. She chose to do a lyrical dance around “Loud and Heavy” by Cody Jinks.

“I chose this song because I’ve listened to it many times and thought it would be different from most of the songs performed at the competition,” Fehr said.

Rohlfsen selected “Warrior” by Demi Lovato for her junior solo as she attempted to push herself out of her comfort zone this season by concentrating on the more technical side of dancing and telling a story through her dance.

“I liked the story behind this song and I felt I could really showcase the different moves the song brought to the table.”

After many private practices and Rohlfsen helping Fehr with a piece of her solo, the day came to hit the stage. Their team and coaches made the trip down to support them.

“They were both quite confident because they had been in dance as young girls and had done recitals before,” Adams said. “The girls were comfortable on the auditorium stage, where they couldn’t see the audience and that was a comfort for them.”

Rohlfsen scored a Division 1 rating, the highest possible rating, placing 32nd of the 167 girls that competed in Newton. Fehr was given a Division II rating for placing 65th of the group. According to Adams, most North Tama performers tend to get a Division II their first year and come back their next year with the experience and confidence to place higher.

“To be honest, I kinda blanked out and don’t remember dancing, but I know when I got off the stage that I put everything I could into that performance,” Rohlfsen said. “I’m proud of myself from challenging myself and executing specific moves I didn’t think I could do. Shoutout to my mom and Luke.”

Fehr shrugged off nerves that came on stage and came away realizing she had work to do with her dancing, but also to take a risk and “just go for it.”

“With my teammates there to support me, I felt better because we have been through hard practices together,” Fehr said. “I felt calmer being on stage knowing they were there to support me and tell me good luck.”

Adams hopes both girls took away confidence and a “memory for a lifetime” among friends and teammates while doing something “most people wouldn’t do.” She hopes these performances will inspire other members of the dance team to compete in State Solo in the future to witness the “caliber of dancers they’ll all have to go up against at State Dance.” Rohlfsen plans to participate next year.

“”I hope to push myself even more and place in the top 10 of my class,” Rohlfsen said. “I want to keep growing and hope my teammates will participate in solos for the experience. They can do it and make themselves feel happy and confident in what you’ve created.”

The North Tama Dance Team will next compete in the State Dance Competition at Wells Fargo Arena on December 5 and 6.