The bright lights shimmer off the towering mirrors in the dance room. The boots slide and shuffle, immersing students in the rhythm of each note. Students watch their every subtle movement while picking up the dance steps to an old country tune.
“My goal of creating the club was for people to have fun,” junior Kynnadi Bryan said. “I like to teach people, how to dance. And I love the community in dance, I get to enjoy myself.”
Line dancing has been a part of Western American culture for decades. Byran aimed to motivate others to embrace that tradition by starting the Country Kickers Club.
“I grew up going to Hunt Texas frequently,” Byran said. “There’s a little country place called Criders, that I used to go to. They do line dances, and country dances there. I enjoy going country dancing because it forms a community.”
Though Kynnadi felt anxious about starting a new club, worried that no one would show up, she was pleasantly surprised as person after person made their way to the courtyard for the first meeting.
“I wasn’t expecting that big of a turnout for our first one,” Bryan said. “In our first club, we weren’t able to use the room that we were originally going to do, so we had to dance out in the courtyard. There were so many people, it was super fun, because I got to be at the top, while everyone was in the pit, looking at so many people.”
There are 43 people in the band app for the club, which gives information on where to meet and when. But regularly, around 25 people are actively involved in the club meets according to Byan.
“I love meeting new people,” sophomore club member Juliette Blossom said. “Everyone has different styles of dancing so you kind of get a sense of everyone’s personality when dancing with them. When I find the right partner it is so much fun to dance with them, it makes me feel so beautiful and lively. I love dancing so much.”
The country kickers meet every Wednesday during fit at the old dance room G112. English teacher Jameson Roberts hosts the club. Not only do they dance in school, but club members meet outside of school at the Broken Spoke almost every Friday.
“I have been country dancing for about one or two years now,” Blossom said. “But I wanted to join the club because me and my friend went dancing to the Broken Spoke one night then it was brought to my attention there.”
The Broken Spoke is one of Austin’s oldest and most famous dance halls today. They serve food along with drinks but also play live music. It was opened by James White in 1964 and was voted “Best Dancehall in Texas” by Texas Highway.
“I have met so many nice and interesting people going to the Spoke every other weekend with the club,” Blossom said. “Dancing is so much fun; not only the line dancing but the two-stepping is special especially if you join with a friend or partner you get to bond.”
Although a fun aspect of the club is meeting to dance outside of school, the club also meets during FIT to learn different dances beforehand. FIT sessions involve Bryan slowly leading the crowd to kick after kick, ensuring that fellow members have it down. Once they have the moves down participants partner up getting ready to grove.
“The first dance they taught me was the first line dance I have ever learned,” senior Avery Macmohon said. “The student leaders will teach us a line dance they’re super patient and make sure everyone has got the moves down before moving on.”
Typically, line dancing lessons range from $6 to $10 per class, depending on the instructor and venue. The Country Kickers Club offers a free alternative, making it an accessible way for newcomers to get involved.
“I’ve done regular dance and country dance since I was a little kid, and it makes me feel happy,” Bryan said. “It is a fun place to meet people and where you just get to enjoy your time. And Why not have fun for free with the club.”
Dancing, offers numerous physical benefits, enhancing endurance, balance, coordination, and flexibility. However, what resonates most with students are the improvements in mental health and social skills.
“There is a general sense of togetherness created by the people in the club, “junior Gray Montgomery said. “I now have something to look forward to on the weekends dancing just makes me feel relaxed, like I’m just out to have fun and I don’t have to worry about whatever else is going on.”
As the sole leader of the club, Bryan teaches line dancing, country swing, and a few fun tricks. She also manages the Country Kickers’ Instagram account.
“Kynnadi is the best person to be president,” Montgomery said. “I feel the club’s leadership is superb. It’s obvious that those people put a lot of effort in the way of learning dances to teach us on their own time She’s a great friend and leader because of her enthusiasm and helpful nature.”
