Like boot camp, but with singing & dancing!

This past Saturday, the show choirs at Rock Bridge High School had their first annual “Camp Show Choir.” I guess you could call it show choir boot camp for 3rd to 6th graders. In four hours, the Rock Bridge students prepared about 80 kids to put on a performance of “Walking on Sunshine” for their parents. The camp was divided into sections. There was a stage presence class, to teach kids to exaggerate their movements on stage. Then there was a hair and make-up class. Yes, you look like a “clown” up close, but it looks more natural on stage. Finally, there was a choreography class on stage. Ok, there was a refreshment section, but whatever. The show choirs performed before the kids’ performance.

Lesson from this experience? I need more practice photographing under stage lights, and I should probably move away from slow shutter speeds. Also, I want a real flash.

Enjoy some of the sights.

Allison Frisch, Shelby Ringdahl, Jessica Iveson, and Taylor Holiman (l-r) lead choreography rehearsal during the first annual "Camp Show Choir" at Rock Bridge High School on December 12, 2009.

Members of Rock Bridge High School's City Lights Show Choir teach children about stage presence.

Camp Show Choir participants give City Lights members high fives on the way to another class.

Caroline Sovich, Molly Totten, and Kate Hrdina (l-r) wait for Camp Show Choir participants to finish choreography on stage

Rock Bridge students show Camp Show Choir partcipants the "roller coaster" move during choreography rehearsal.

Caroine Sovich, left, waits while Jackie Montano applies eyeliner during a hair and make-up class at Camp Show Choir.

Camp Show Choir participants watch as Jackie Montano, left, and Caroline Sovich demonstrate stage make-up use

Carli Still makes cue cards for "Walking on Sunshine."

With help from fellow City Lights members Molly Totten, left, and Kyle Sherman, Kate Hrdina, center, leads a stage presence class at Camp Show Choir. "Pretend you're a dying squid!"