Every once in a while, you encounter someone whose excitement is infectious.  Their happy mood improves your own, and you can’t help but emulate their wide-set smile that seems almost second nature.

The new Garfield dance team coach, Maxie Jamal, is one of those people.  Her commanding, teach-by-example coaching methods transform even a dry place such as an alcove in the Alder hallway, where they practice, into a boisterous all out dance studio. If anyone would happen to chance down the Garfield halls on a Thursday night, you might can hear Jamal repeating her colorful instruction.

“Ya’ll got to clean this up,” she says exasperatedly after a few failed practice rounds.  Or my personal favorite, “Turn the doorknob, come on!” she exclaims while acting out a turning motion with her hand and hips.

“We have fun,” she says with a laugh that had already become trademark after only 10 minutes of talking.

The dance coaches are as interactive in the dance practices as the dancers themselves, often stepping in for routines and teaching by example.  The entire practice takes place against a backdrop of constant interaction and advice from the coaches, whether it be counting out the beat, or dancing themselves.

Jamal is in her first year coaching the dance team at Garfield, and is already expanding and redefining the program on more levels than one.

“All that that booty stuff has to go,” she says. “We’re going to try to get more structure, maybe incorporate some ballet in the mix.”

This year has seen a surge in dance team popularity and size.  More than 50 kids attended tryouts, and due to school policy, not coach’s choice, some had to be cut.  Nevertheless, the dance team has grown considerably since last year.  With the abundance of new additions to the team comes inexperience, as this year is the first time dancing on the team for most.  However this does not translate into a lack of talent.  The team is stacked with up and coming dance phenoms that can jerk like a fish on a hook, shake like a maraca, and lean like a cholo.

Along with the obvious growth and diversification, perhaps the most striking difference to this year’s team is the incorporation of male dancers.  At first it’s a strange sight; throughout the last few years, my classmates and I have come to associate the Garfield Dance Team as a dozen or so beautiful gyrating goddesses during our school assemblies.  However, Jamal and the newly redefined dance team hope to shake this stereotype.

“Having men on the team adds strength and power to everything,” Jamal explains. “It’s not so catty.”

However, coach Jamal also can bust some moves of her own.  An ex-Bulldog dance team member herself, and a graduate of 2000, Jamal is well versed in the ways of dance.  After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles where she began dancing professionally, and only recently moved back to Seattle to pursue a career in teaching dance.
Now to address the question that is on all of your minds — what is up with Bubblin’ Brown?  I was wondering the same thing.

When I popped the question on coach Jamal, it was followed by the expedient scoff-accompanied response, “Of course!”

After breathing that sigh of relief, we can turn our focuses toward what looks to be a very promising and productive season for Garfield Dance. Often the term “reconstruction year” does not go hand in hand with a successful one, but in this case, it does.  With a completely new team, new coach, and a new swagger, the Garfield dance team looks ready for success.  Expect great things out of this crew, and welcome back to the dog house Coach Jamal.