Degrasse duo prepares for one last dance

By Ubah Ansari-Pathan/For the News & Messenger
Published: June 19, 2008

With knowing smiles and a gentle in sync head nod, Lauren Coleman, 18, and Gabrielle Peters, 17, move out of the curtains and face the audience. They are rehearsing for their final dance together.

"They have performed and competed together, for many years," Johnna DeGrasse, Owner and Artistic Director of the Potomac Ballet Company and Degrasse Ballet Studio said. "You know when they dance together, it will be something special to watch."

Peters, a 2008 Osbourn Park High School grad, leaves the area for college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, and also to study dance with Denise Wall. Her departure means the Degrasse production of "Sleeping Beauty" marks the end of Peters' and Coleman's nine-year dancing partnership.

Originally, Peters was slated to perform a duet to "Somewhere Over the Rain-bow"with another dancer, with whom she'd practiced for nearly a year.

However, at the last moment, Peters' partner left northern Virginia, leaving her in a bind. Degrasse Ballet Studio teacher Roberta Dale suggested Coleman as a substitute. The girls knew each other and gave the collaboration a try.

Their first test as a duo was a 1999 national lyrical competition. They ended up in the Quest for the Best finals round.

"Only the best numbers moved on to the Quest and it was surreal that she and I, being new to our partnership, did that well. I guess it was like a sign that she and I should continue dancing together," Peters said.

"I'm so glad we got to do that first duo…we've done one every year since," Coleman added.

Since that first performance, when Coleman was just 8, the two have danced as dueling Jesters in a previous studio production of "Sleeping Beauty," as well as competitively as a team, winning in the overall category at the 2001 National Dance Championships .

"Lots of funny things have happened during our run as a duo that only she and I would understand, but one thing that comes to mind is the time my shoe came off onstage—that was rough," Peters said.

Initially, having similar body types that allowed for the two girls to become like carbon copies of one another, they have now grown up and are very different in height and body shape, however, Coleman said, "We are so in tune with one another that keeping together in movements comes naturally. We have a connection with the music and each other that helps us to move as one."

While this production may be the last for this local dancing duo, dance still remains in the girls' future. Peters plans to move to New York City and continue to pursue her dancing career. Coleman, though, studying to be a lawyer, hopes to keep dance in her life, either through teaching or choreography. But for now, both dancers are going to try not to cry through their final dance together.

"It makes me really sad that this is the last time Lauren and I will be dancing together. I doubt I'll ever find someone who complements me, dance wise, like she does. Plus, she's one of my oldest friends and leaving friends is always sad," Peters said.

WANT TO GO?

What's up: The Degrasse Dance Studio production of "Sleeping Beauty"

When: Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Where: Gar-Field Senior High School

Tickets: Can be purchased at the door