By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury teen Saharra Shaker, 17, is quite an accomplished dancer. She has performed several times at Disneyworld as well as at Hershey Park, the TD Garden for a Celtics game and more. She has been studying at Judy A. Hermans School of Dance since the age of 7, but began her dancing career even earlier – at the age of 4.
Saharra favors tap and lyrical over the other styles of dance. She has been competing since the fifth grade and has won much recognition for her dancing; most recently in May 2015, she and her group won High Platinum and First for a lyrical piece titled, “Not About Angels.” She also won Platinum for her solo at Step Up 2 Dance with choreographer Marissa Tenore.
“We were the only one they gave out High Platinum that day. We have so many talented dancers and Saharra is really dedicated,” said Judy Tenore, who owns Judy A. Hermans School of Dance.
The dancers typically participate in two national competitions each year that are regionally held. Saharra does four solo competitions. She is currently learning the choreography for a duo, two solos and some group dances for performances in the spring.
The Judy A. Hermans Performance Team performed at the Worcester Sharks game as well as at a Boston Celtics game last year.
“I have danced in Disneyworld as recently as 2014,” Saharra said. “I got to spend a week in Disney with all of my best friends, who are also dancers. We danced in the downtown with lots of spectators. It was actually one of the most difficult performances because it was close to 100 degrees. We had to rehearse in a park, take a bus to Disney and rush behind stage so nobody saw us with our costumes. I had to do like five dances in a row. Even though it was challenging, it was an awesome experience.”
When Saharra is not dancing, which is a very rare occurrence, she enjoys spending time with her friends and her family. As a senior at Shrewsbury High School, she is thinking about colleges and ways to fit her passion for dance into her studies next year.
“I know I am going to be incorporating dance into a college degree somehow. I would love to be on a dance team. I know I will also teach dance someday,” Saharra said.
Saharra has a wonderful support team that includes her parents, brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Last year, her mom Patti was ill, but was able to watch a performance by her daughter just two weeks after her surgery. Saharra dedicated that lyrical solo to her mother. .
The busy teen can’t seem to stay away from the dance studio. In addition to practicing six days a week, she also helps in the office, fills in for any teacher that is absent and assists some of the teachers in the classes.
“Dance is a way of life for me. I take tap, lyrical, jazz, point and I duo with my best friend Laney Szczygiel, who attends Worcester Academy. I can’t imagine not dancing,” Saharra said.
Added Tenore, “I think her goal is to take over Judy A. Hermans School of Dance!”
The Judy A. Hermans School of Dance is located at 1000 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury (in the Christmas Tree Shop Plaza). For more information call 508-842-4999, email [email protected] or visit www.jahdance.com. The school also has a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JAHDANCE) and is on Instagram (jahdancestudio).