REFLECTIONS MAGAZINE: WHAT IS IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF A MACKLORETTE? JENNIE PEGOUSKIE: The Macklorettes bring a fun and exciting energy to the stage. Every show, the ladies and I make it our goal to connect with the audience. Each city and audience is different, but they have at least one thing in common, they came to see a show. It’s our mission night in and night out to make their experience memorable.
interview
by
l au r en h u nsberger
RM: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MACKLORETTE, AND HOW DID YOU LAND SUCH A FUN GIG? JP: I started working with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in the spring of 2013. I was invited to audition for their headlining show at Sasquatch last May. It’s been a fun year! RM: CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT’S IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS? JP:Incredible. With each tour and show, I have had the opportunity to learn more about them as people. Together, they’re pretty hilarious—always joking around and making light of every situation, never taking themselves too seriously. The touring group as a whole rounds up to be about 22 people. It’s been amazing getting to know all of them.
Classes for Youth Kids ages 12 to 15 years old can sign up to learn new dance moves from Pegouskie. She is teaching classes at the Bellevue Club on June 26, July 17 & 31. For more information, email fitness@bellevueclub.com.
RM: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OR TWO FROM TOURING WITH THE GROUP? JP: There are so many great memories. I would have to say my favorite was night three at the Key Arena. For months my parents insisted on not coming to the concert. After a while, I no longer asked them. It got to the point where I was nearly begging them to come. With night one and two done, night three was pretty emotional for everyone. We were back in our hometown, about to perform the last show of The Heist World Tour. As I finished getting ready for the show, my best friends called me and asked me to meet them at will call. As I approached the windows, my friend jumped out of line to give me a huge hug. I hadn’t seen her in months. I looked past her shoulder and there in line stood my mom and dad, grinning from ear to ear. I had to hold back tears. RM: WHEN DID YOU START DANCING? HOW OLD WERE YOU? JP: I have always loved to dance. I remember being a little girl, no older than five years old, wanting to be the entertainment everywhere we went. My
parents enrolled me in a few gymnastics classes and my elementary school had an after-school extracurricular program that incorporated both gymnastics and dance. We would perform locally and I loved it. When I got to high school, I decided to try out for the dance team. Luckily, I made the team and went on to choreograph and become captain. Going into college, I began to train in Seattle at Westlake Dance Center. RM: HAVE YOU WORKED WITH ANY OTHER BIG ARTISTS OR ARTISTS YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY INTERESTING OR INSPIRING? JP: I have had the honor to work with Daniel Cruz and Kolanie Marks. Both Cruz and Marks are respectable and accomplished choreographers. As a mentor, Cruz is known to work with and help develop young dancers into incredible and successful industry dancers. His pupils have gone on to dance for Rhianna, Justin Bieber, Pharrell and many others. Marks has had incredible success with training children into hard working, disciplined and dedicated dancers as well. bellevue club june 2014 | 51