With a display of technique, different styles and a very enthusiastic spirit Gemma’s Dance Studio presented its very first own annual Dance Recital “Every Day I’m Shuffling”, at the James Brendan High School Auditorium on May 19.

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With 22 years of experience as choreographer and student Gemma German feels she could not asked for a better first recital since all of her 13 students showed to be talented, enthusiastic, willing to learn and have fun; and according to German these ingredients made this first recital a big success.

“Everyone knows us for our Folkloric Dances, and of course we presented that style, but we also presented Flamenco, Mambo, Reggaeton, Tahitian and Hip-Hop,” German said. “I am excited about this, we have performed in several places and events locally and the fact that I can finally put all the girls together and have them like in a perfect setting and offer them all the perfect conditions to dance really meant a lot to me.”

One of the characteristics of German’s teaching style that was visible at the recital is to seek for perfection of the dance by paying attention to all details; according to her it is not just learning the steps but is everything that surrounds the dance.

“If you up there, no matter how a great dancer you are, if you do not have attention to details you are not going to get that far,” she expresses. “So these girls as soon as they walk on stage they know they are on stage and they will perform and get the right character as soon as they start the dance.”

Students Ariana Durazo, who received a Perfect Performance Attendance Recognition and Cristine Escogido, who received a 5-year appreciation agree that being part of the first recital and also part of Gemma’s Dance Studio is a fun-learning experience.

“It has been a long time and a lot of fun, but also I have learned a lot,” Escogido says about the time she has been under German’s guidance through dance. “I feel good that people watched my dances and I liked to see they enjoyed the dances we presented.”

And for Durazo, who also practices ballet, practicing something different from ballet has been very rewarding and fun at the same time.

“I really like Ms. German as a teacher, because she makes us do the best as we can and that help us getting better at dance.”

Now that the first annual dance recital was secured, German will seek to continue offering high quality dance instruction with regular classes, which are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m. but, starting on the first week of June, she will have Summer Classes for all interested kids. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at 1501 10th St.

To register, please call (520) 234-6236 or send email to gemmasdancestudio@live.com