Student Takes Big Step In Dance Career

When Nikki Marchand auditioned in Las Vegas last June to dance during halftime of Sunday’s NFL Pro Bowl, she never expected to make it.

In fact, Marchand had never heard of the Pro Bowl.

She thought the audition would just be good experience. Dancing in front of a crowd and learning a routine in a matter of minutes would make her next tryout that much easier, she said.

But the judges liked what they saw of Marchand’s nimble moves and bubbly personality and chose the West Valley High School junior to dance alongside more than 100 teenagers from across the country during halftime of the pro football all-star game in Honolulu.

Her teacher, Missy Scheller, was not surprised.

“They’re always watching her,” Scheller said. “I can always tell when she’s going to get picked.”

Besides dancing, a tour of the islands, shopping, going to the beach and a pre-game pep rally were also on the itinerary during Marchand’s 10-day stay in Hawaii.

Marchand began dancing 13 years ago when her mother enrolled her in a class at the Bleker School of Dance in the Valley.

“(My mom) always wanted to dance,” Marchand said, adding that the financial strain of a large family prevented her from pursuing her dream.

Three times a week, Marchand rushes from school to the dance studio to practice her jazz, tap and ballet steps. The rest of the week Marchand is busy teaching children to dance.

She trains about four hours a week, but increases her practice time before a competition. It takes about four months to choreograph a dance.

“When you do it, you don’t even have to think about it,” Marchand said. “Your body just does it.”

Marchand is also an aspiring actress. She has performed in several school plays and says the stage experience she gains helps her with dance.

“You can’t be shy,” Marchand said. “You have to be willing to jump out and show your stuff.”

After a nudge from Scheller, Marchand reluctantly began entering dance competitions in 1987. She now dances at about three northwest competitions and conventions a year.

Competitions can be nerve-racking. Competitors are lined up, given a number and asked to learn a complete dance routine in minutes.

“When she first made us do competitions, it was like everybody’s watching you, I don’t want to do that,” Marchand said. “Now it’s push to the front (of the line).”

While in Las Vegas, Marchand also auditioned to tour with Dance Caravan, a group that dances on a 12-city, 2-1/2-month tour during the summer.

She was invited to join the team and is trying to raise $10,000 for the trip, further stretching an already tight budget.

Besides the entry fees and travel costs, competitors also purchase their own costumes, shoes and accessories.

To offset the cost of the summer trip, Marchand has sent out letters to several area businesses asking for donations, but response has been slow.

She has set up an account at the Spokane Railway Credit Union to gather contributions.

Marchand hopes the experience from dancing in the Pro Bowl and at other shows will eventually land her an opportunity to dance in college.

“I could never picture myself not going to dance,” Marchand said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo