In the sweltering southern heat, senior Mikayla Lewis danced across the field. Sometimes she leapt and turned with the other featured dancers. Other times, she spun a flag with speed and precision, each move part of the Bluecoats’ seamless performance.
Lewis spent her summer performing with the Bluecoats, a world class drum and bugle corps based in Canton, Ohio, competing in Drum Corps International (DCI), the highest level of marching arts. Each summer, the corps tours the country performing highly choreographed shows that combine brass, percussion, and color guard with intricate drill formations. For Lewis, being in their guard for “The Observer Effect” meant long rehearsals, stadium crowds and a summer of endless memories.
Class of ‘24 alumna Adelle Lewis shares that she wasn’t quite surprised that Mikayla made it into the group.
“She works incredibly hard for everything she wants so I knew she would make it even with how competitive it is to get a spot,” she said. “I was excited she got the opportunity to travel, meet new friends, and be part of a program that so many people adore.”
Hoover’s guard director Mrs. Danielle Leininger also commented on how impressive it is for someone to make it into a DCI group, and how Lewis’ accomplishment might inspire future graduates.
“Just with the Bluecoats, there were 100+ performers auditioning for 40 spots. The amount of training and control of your craft that is required to stand out during the audition process, to even make the ensemble, takes years for some performers to achieve where others never will,” she said. Mrs. Leininger went on to say that Lewis showing up for the audition in of itself lets her peers know that “anything is possible when you take the first step.”
The Bluecoats’ head guard director Mr. Jaycee Wilson talked about how Lewis made an impact on her team this season.
“Mikayla came onto the team this year with a strong background in dance, and with her being one of the youngest members, her energy and mature presence pushed older members to continue to grow,” Wilson said.
Lewis commented on how she was most excited for her dance features in the show.
“I’ve grown up in the dance world so seeing what was similar and different from a marley stage to a turf field was exciting,” she said.
Lewis started training for this season at the end of May, just less than two weeks after her graduation. She talks about how the quick adjustment of leaving her family and friends affected her routine.
“During the first bit of the season, the corps was rehearsing 11 hours a day, so as much as I missed my friends and family, there wasn’t much time to just sit there with the thought,” she said.
Lewis continues by saying how she had to adjust to both calling and texting whenever she had spare time, and that she was always updating her group chat to remain in contact. For Lewis, one of the hardest parts of performing with the Bluecoats was the “imposter syndrome.”
“If you talk to anyone about their favorite corps or sports teams, those groups are kind of to being them was a weird transition to say the least,” she said. “The easiest way to stay motivated is to remember why [you’re there], and also that your current life is something that little you was dreaming about.”
The Bluecoats travel across the country this year, performing in 11 different states. Lewis reflected that her most memorable performance was “Innovations In Brass,” which took place at the Hall of Fame.
“It was the Bluecoats’ home show but also mine and it was just different. Having all my family and friends there was just incredible,” Lewis said. “It was a support system that I had missed.”
She shared that afterwards the guard gets to listen to the group play an encore, and it really allowed her to see the beauty of the organization. Wilson also commented that one of his favorite moments with Lewis this season was at the home shows.
“I really enjoyed watching Mikayla receive so much love and support from Canton at local performances. It is very rare that we actually have a member of the Bluecoats from the Canton area,” he said. “You could tell that her community is very proud of her for her hard work and being a part of something so big, that’s just right in her backyard.”
