When you cruise with Holland America Line<\/a>, <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span> feel energized, <\/span>uplifted<\/span> and delighted by the sights, sounds and experiences of world-class entertainment. Breathtaking performances by our Step One Dance Company <\/span>are<\/span> just one example. When they take center stage, <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span> embark on a journey with them through fantasy, <\/span>light<\/span> and beautiful human emotion \u2013 all with incredible music and exceptional choreography. We recently caught up with some of the performers aboard the Eurodam <\/span>to share what <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> like to cruise the world with Holland America Line as elite entertainers<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> They\u2019re literally quick on their feet and so much fun to watch, and if you ask them what they love most about cruising with Holland America Line, it\u2019s a unanimous response: the people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe guests are really nice on Holland America Line cruises,\u201d Maverick said. \u201cThey\u2019re very interactive, and it seems like everyone\u2019s always having a great time. They\u2019re also very receptive to us, and every time we see them, they just seem to love the shows.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hanna agrees. \u201cEveryone has been very complimentary, kind and generous. Being a part of the Step One Dance Company is sort of breaking barriers a bit with the performances we put on. We blend tech, dance and movement to create an interactive experience for guests. We\u2019re also performing works by a lot of really well-respected choreographers. It\u2019s physically challenging and very fulfilling to perform these works, and I definitely think that\u2019s specific to Holland America Line in my experience.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hanna serves as the dance captain for the ship’s company, and she can\u2019t say enough wonderful things about the talented performers that have become her family on board.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI feel so grateful to be able to share the stage with them,\u201d she said. \u201cEvery time I go out there, they\u2019re all so unbelievably talented that it really pushes me to be the best dancer I can be, and they\u2019re all just so kind and receptive, which I\u2019m very grateful for.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Mornings typically include a trip to the gym for cardio, weight training or yoga followed by the sauna to soothe muscles. If they need a caffeine boost, they may grab some coffee and catch up on communication with friends and family before heading to the Lido Market for lunch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on the timing of their first show, Becky, Hanna and Lily will get started on their hair and makeup before meeting with the rest of the team to watch the previous week\u2019s shows for revisions on things like spacing and steps. They\u2019ll also do a tech run to ensure lighting and sound cues are good to go. After that they have about an hour before call time, so they\u2019ll grab a quick bite to eat or start warming up. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>We also \u2018pass the pulse\u2019 where we stand in a circle, take a deep breath as a group and squeeze each other\u2019s hands to pass the energy around to ground and connect us,\u201d Hanna said. <\/span>It\u2019s a sweet moment they like to share as a team before taking center stage. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of activity backstage with frequent costume changes and running back and forth, but they said it\u2019s so much fun. After the shows, they\u2019ll clean up their costumes and grab a bite to eat before unwinding for the night. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Many members of the Step One Dance Company have been nurturing their craft since they were children.<\/span> Jack and Bryce both started dancing when they were five years old. Jack then began homeschooling when he was 12 so he could focus more time on the art of performance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI also started dancing at quite a young age,\u201d Lily said. \u201cTo start off, it was more of a hobby. When I got to the age of 16, I started taking it more seriously.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Becky nodded in agreement. \u201cI started when I was eight as a hobby. At 16, I went into professional training.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hanna joked that she was basically dancing in the womb, and everyone laughed while noting that was absolutely believable, knowing Hanna as well as they do. \u201cMy mother was my teacher, and as soon as I could walk, I ended up in a ballet class and have been dancing ever since.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Maverick took a different path to cultivating his talent. \u201cI was a bit of a late start compared to everyone else here,\u201d he said. \u201cI started when I was 14 in high school because I was really into theater. They told me if I was into theater, I should probably take some dance classes as well, so I was not dancing out of the womb like Hanna,\u201d he said jokingly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When asked what advice they would offer for those considering dance as a career, Lily and Becky didn\u2019t hesitate to share some tips.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely become a versatile dancer and train hard in all different styles,\u201d Lily said. \u201cRemember that everyone is on their journey. You don\u2019t have to compare yourself to anything you see on social media and things like that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI second that because there\u2019s so much diversity in dance styles in the shows,\u201d Becky said. \u201cBeing as versatile as you can be is the best thing. Also, build up a really good dance reel that showcases who you are as a performer. That can be really helpful for the casting team.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As dedicated performers who love sailing the seas, they also noted the importance of self-care. Being on board for months at a time is an incredible experience, and it\u2019s also an opportunity to find what centers you and helps you relax.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFind a daily routine with structure and do things you enjoy,\u201d Jack said. \u201cGet out and see amazing ports when you can.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bryce agreed about the importance of a self-care routine. \u201cI really enjoy the gym, hot tub and sauna. With all those things available, it\u2019s pretty easy to feel refreshed.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> The investment this crew has put into their craft has helped them become the elite dancers they are, and it shows when the lights dim and they begin to move to beautiful melodies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur dances are a celebration of humanity and movement,\u201d Hanna said. \u201cGuests can expect a lot of different styles of dance that will keep you on your toes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When they’re on stage, every dance takes you on a journey. Their grace, beauty and art will touch your heart and have you in standing ovation every time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Favorite destination:<\/span><\/i> \u201cI have a tie here,\u201d Maverick said. \u201cWhen I did the Grand Africa Voyage, we went to Petra in Jordan<\/a>, <\/span>which is this 2,000-year-old ancient city. I also had the best shawarma in my life there. And then there\u2019s Rio de Janeiro in Brazil<\/a><\/span>. We were there during Carnival, and it was an amazing experience.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Favorite wildlife:<\/span><\/i> Becky loves bald eagles and bears in Alaska<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Favorite meal on board:<\/span><\/i> Jack and Bryce are all about the steak and truffle fries; Becky loves the lasagna in the dining room; and Maverick can\u2019t get enough of the salmon, especially in Alaska.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Favorite music club onboard:<\/span><\/i> \u201cBB King\u2019s Blues Club! It\u2019s always poppin\u2019 in there,\u201d Jack said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Meet Bryce, Jack, Lily, <\/span><\/b>Hanna,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Becky and Maverick<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Six](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holland-america-line-dancers-center-stage.webp\" "\\"Holland")
<\/span><\/div>Step One Dance Company lights up the stage during a performance aboard the Eurodam.<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
A Day in the Life of Our Dancers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"Performers](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holland-america-line-dancers-take-bow.webp\" "\\"Holland")
<\/span><\/div>The Step One Dance Company receives a standing ovation at the end of their performance aboard the Eurodam.<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Nurturing Their Craft & Staying Centered<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Surprising & Delighting Guests Through Dance<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
Now for a Quick Cruise Q&A:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n