Cagle sharing her love of dancing

Rector senior Harmony Cagle has delighted audiences across the region with her prowess as a dancer on numerous occasions. Now, Cagle will be using her skills to help younger students take the spotlight as part of her role as choreographer for the RHS Drama Club's upcoming production of "School House Rock" set for community viewing at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the school cafeteria.

"This is the first time we've had a student do the choreography," drama teacher and director Gail Burns said. "Harmony has such an extensive background in dance. She's the ideal person to be doing this."

Cagle, 18, has been studying dance since she was two-years-old.

"I don't really remember when I started," Cagle said. "My mom asked me if I wanted to take dance class when I was little. It took me a little while, but once I got into it, I loved it. Now, I eat, sleep and breathe dance. No joke."

Her dedication is shown by the schedule she keeps. Cagle attends classes and trains five days each week, an impressive feat considering her level of involvement at RHS and status as an Honor Student.

Cagle has brought the same level of commitment to her duties as choreographer. She has been hard at work with the both high school and elementary student cast members since beginning work on "School House Rock" on Sept. 14. She is working on three different dances with her elementary students and high school is learning movesets for 13 dances.

"It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," Cagle said. "I think the most rewarding part is when the younger kids get the hang of something that had been difficult for them at first. When they get a little more confident and are sure of themselves, you can see the change in them."

Cagle said the choreography is good practice for her future career goals.

"I want to be a dance instructor. I'd really like to open up my own dance studio in this area."

She has experience teaching other dancers, having worked with younger students at the Performing Arts Academy in Paragould where she has been a student herself for several years.

"Having my own studio was something I had thought about, but it really clicked in my head after I started working with little kids," Cagle said.

"When I go on stage, I feel confident. That feeling has helped me with other parts of my life. I want to be able to help others have that same feeling, too."

Though she has studied countless forms of dance, Cagle says tap dancing is her favorite form. She has tapped her way to numerous awards in competitions, including the Miss Dance of St. Louis event, wherein she qualified for a scholarship based upon her skills.

"Any time you perform, there's a lot of work that goes into it," Cagle said. "It comes down to how much you enjoy it and how hard you're willing to work."