It was poignant occasion for Jacquie’s Dance Academy this past weekend as the dancers gave their final recital in Humboldt.
The owner and director, Jacquie Huck, is retiring as a dance teacher in Humboldt to spend more time with her family and as an examiner with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. She’s been teaching her club of dancers in Humboldt for the last 37 years, despite living in Regina.
“It’s always bittersweet. I love Humboldt and teaching here and I’m going to miss my students, the parents, and all the support I’ve gotten for all these years,” said Huck before Saturday’s recital. “I’ll miss spending time with my students … but it’s really because of all the driving.”
Huck’s been driving back and forth for the last 20 years. She said her favourite memories are of putting together all the productions, which would total 37 – one for each year since they started.
She’s got more than 100 students from Humboldt and area ranging in age from three to 18. She teaches tap, jazz, hip hop, point, musical theatre, ballet, and song and dance. Huck said she’s especially proud she’s had students go on to perform on professional stages around the world.
Her career in Humboldt first began after she graduated from high school. She had formal dance training and there was a full-time job opening in town for School of Dance. From there, her career in town continued even after she moved two and a half hours away.
“I don’t think I’d change anything. I have no regrets. I loved every minute of teaching here,” she said.
Huck said she was really looking forward to seeing her students on the stage. She began preparing for this recital during Easter break and then the students spend three weeks practicing. Since she puts it all together at home, she says seeing it all come together is the biggest challenge.
Since this year’s theme is the first season of the American musical comedy TV series, Glee, Huck had to figure out how to compress 22 episodes into one recital. There was acting and lip-syncing along with the usual routines. It took hours of practice, editing dialogue, and editing music to make it work.
As her final recital, Huck said it’s on par with any of the other recitals they’ve done in previous years.
“I just want to thank Humboldt for their support over the last 37 years,” she said.
