Student Lileigh Brown Competes at State Solo Competition

Student Lileigh Brown Competes at State Solo Competition

by Kelbe Flathers

On Saturday, Nov. 1, junior Lileigh Brown competed at the Iowa State Solo Competition at the Hy Vee Hall in Des Moines. Brown placed fourth out of 68 girls in her class.

Brown has been dancing and competing since the age of 4, and going on her 14th year. Brown said she began dance when “her mother decided to have her follow in her footsteps.” Brown’s mother, Emily, danced when she was in school, and later became the dance team coach at a high school in Indiana. In her younger years, Brown would practice her solo from right after school till 8 p.m., seven days a week. Brown said she enjoys dancing and “just feels like the right thing to do.”

She said in her younger years, her parents wouldn’t tell her about a competition until they had arrived at the competition. Now when she has an upcoming performance, she said she “gets really nervous and makes herself have a fever and headache.” Brown said after her performance if she thinks she didn’t mess up, people are very impressed, and enjoyed her dance then she feels very good about herself. If she messed up, though, then she gets mad at herself.

Brown has participated in dance for 14 years. She attends five dance classes and practices her solo for two hours a week.
Brown has participated in dance for 14 years. She attends five dance classes and practices her solo for two hours a week.

Brown was also selected as one of dancers for the Iowa State Dance Team. She hopes to make it on the dance team of the college she is attending, but doesn’t plan on continuing after college. She now practices for solo competitions with dance instructor Ricci Springs of Dance Atlantic. Brown spends around 2 hours a week on her solo, and attends 5 other dance classes. Brown usually attends four to ten competitions a year. She also is a member of the Atlantic High School dance team.