Professional dancers teach students

Green River students were busy learning how to move like birds and fish last week.

Once again, the Treehouse Shakers, founded in New York City by Emily Bunning of Rock Springs and Mara McEwin of Green River, were in Green River schools last week.

During this visit, members of this professional dance company worked with students in a few of Green River's elementary schools. On Thursday, Treehouse Shakers Ashley McGill, Ashley Ervin and Katie Montoya were showing students at Washington Elementary School some of their dance moves.

The entire group started off by warming up their voices. Montoya told the students sometimes one uses their voice to tell the story and other times they use their movements, actions and facial expressions to tell a story.

First, the students learned a secret signal, which was used to let them know it was time for them to quiet down and listen to directions. The students then used their voices to make a "ha, ha, ha," sound.

Next, the students were asked to clap and make movements to their name. The third-grade students looked at each other; and then quickly started counting how many syllables their names had. Those with one syllable, were challenged to make up a clapping routine, while those with two or more were challenged with making sure they had a routine that was the same at their name.

"It's a different way to learn," Trey Bailey, Washington Elementary School's physical education teacher, said. "They get the opportunity to have a professional come in to teach them their craft."

As far as the physical education part of it, Bailey said it is important to expose elementary-aged children to as many activities as possible so they can see what they like. He said some kids may like soccer, others may like football, but not all of them may have had the opportunity to experience dance.

"Anytime they can have a professional share with them it's a special opportunity for them," Bailey said.

As the class continued, the students learned about the performance the Treehouse Shakers were going to put on for the students later in the week. According to a press release, "Under the Tangle" is about an adolescent girl who becomes ensnarled in a labyrinth after the sudden loss of her parents. Throughout her journey, she twists along the brambling pathways being confronted with obstacles, finding numerous clues and meeting many unusual characters: a flock of birds, the daunting labyrinth guards, and the Queen of the Lost perched upon a grim tower. 

With this performance in mind, the Treehouse Shakers asked the children to pretend they are carrying a lantern through a deep woods. They had to walk slow and go around unseen obstacles, such as weaving in and out of bushes and trees.

Then, the students learned how to move like a bird and like a fish. The students laughed as they learned these moves; and used them to make it across the gym floor.

On Friday the Treehouse Shakers put on a special performance of "Under the Tangle" for Green River students.