Murphy — The expansive dance studio at the Murphy School of Dance was transformed into a camp for local cheerleaders and dancers Thursday night.
Tidy rows of 17 participants lined up in front of a mirrored wall synchronized, their arms and bodies moving like an energized machine. They were athletic, they were skilled and they were loud.
Cheer Camp was the brainchild of Torie Westmoreland, artistic director of Murphy School of Dance for the last five years. This was her first Cheer Camp endeavor.
“Every summer, we try to offer something to the community,” she said. With more than 150 enrolled students in her dance school, she wanted to provide something different this year.
“We want different kids and community members to get more involved in the studio,” Westmoreland explained.
To that end, Westmoreland invited Sheridan, a former student-turned-professional cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens, to teach at the Cheer Camp.
Camryn McMillan, 14, has danced at the studio since she was just 3 years old.
“The moves at Cheer Camp are similar to dance,” she said. “It was easier than I thought it would be.”
McMillan thought Sheridan was a good teacher, adding, “I learned that when I mess up, just play it off, act as if I was performing a solo before getting back in line.”
That’s not a bad lesson for life. McMillan’s main objective for attending the camp was to have fun.
“I just love to dance,” she said. “It’s freeing; I get to express myself.”
Callie Lundy, 14, enjoys cheering for Murphy Middle School.
“I love the stunts,” she said. “Cheer Camp was thrilling. Sheridan was really nice.”
Not all of the students came from local high schools. Madelynn Cribbs, 16, a veteran student at the dance studio, drove in from Copper Basin (Tenn.) High School.
“I love to cheer,” she said with a laugh. “It was a really great opportunity to work with a professional.”
Like McMillan, Cribbs has been with the dance studio since she was a young child.
“I’ve always loved it here,” she said. “Everybody is friendly, and I feel I can be myself.”
Cribbs said she would love to be a professional dancer in New York City. “It’s a dream,” she said.
Like many students, Westmoreland got her start at Murphy School of Dance when she was only 6 years old. She went on to minor in dance at Young Harris (Ga.) College and was happy to take over the reigns of the studio.
“I like being my own boss,” she said. “I feel we have a history in this community many people don’t know about. We’ve been here for 25 years.”
Judging from the enthusiasm of the Cheer Camp students, and the gaggle of proud parents filming their children performing, Westmoreland’s school has certainly made a mark.