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Before COVID-19 shut us down, the Dance Troupe had spent over a year learning the dances for our performance which was to be performed in June 2020. Especially for the new members, this required them to start from the beginning, learning the basic tap, jazz, belly, and Hawaiian steps. But, how does a dancer get from these first steps to a performance? After learning the basic steps, dancers must first learn to put these steps into the choreography and then practice a lot. Finally, they know the work so well that its elements become automatic. This ability to do a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement, is called muscle memory. First, dancers see one move and then another, eventually they merge the steps into phrases and then into longer sequences. Brain scientists refer to this process as "chunking." What actually happens, according to neuroscientists, is that the movements become thoroughly mapped in the brain, creating a shorthand between thinking and doing, so that they are automatic. Quite a large range of brain areas seem to be responsible for skill memories, including: areas in motor cortex, the part of the brain which sends signals to the muscle of the body and is responsible for planning and executing movements, the basal ganglia, a structure deep inside the brain which is associated with movement initiation, and the cerebellum, an area at the back of the brain which deals with adaptation. Once the movements become automatic, the dancer can concentrate on adding detail and color, bringing out the emotions and meaning of the choreography. Back in March, we were just getting to this muscle memory. Hopefully, when we are allowed to restart our classes and practices, we can quickly get back to where we were. Then we can plan for our rescheduled performance. The Dance Troupe welcomes new members whether you are new to dance or have dance experience. If you are interested in tap or jazz, please contact Allison Stewart at als2art@gmail.com. If you are interested in Hawaiian dancing, please contact Valerie Thompson at valgene2@cox.net. If you are interested in belly dancing, please contact Sharon Lair at (760) 822-2670. | OHCC LIVING | FEBRUARY 2021 | 15 Ocean Hills Dance Troupe Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Village Squares Looking back to 2020, we started off the year with high hopes! We had an active organization and a very promising group of new students. We were delighted to welcome these new members who proved to be dedicated to learning the calls and very promising new dancers. They advanced beyond the basics and were well into more advanced lessons when it all came to an abrupt halt, much to our dismay. However, we understand the necessity for caution in the face of an unprecedented pandemic and would not wish to take any chances. Looking ahead to better times, the membership accepted our recommendations for the 2021 slate of officers. Be assured we are in contact and looking forward to resuming our Tuesday classes and Wednesday dances at that time in the future when it will be safe to do so. We all miss the friendships we formed, the closeness of our group, the joy of dancing, and of course the "Yellow Rocks"! Our 2021 board consists of Presidents Ed and Barb Olson, vice presidents Janet Lutman and Phyllis Buvel, Secretaries Linda Sterger and Valerie Thompson, and Treasurer Linda Drapeau. We miss all of you and look forward to again meeting in our beautifully refurbished clubhouse to renew friendships and brush up on our dancing skills. We will see you in a square!