College News at StudentStuff.com

I Came to…Dance?

Dance like no one is watching

Admit it. You saw Fame in the theaters this last week. You were on a date with your girlfriend or you were just checking out the funky movie theater down the street in your tiny college town. So tiny that a giant Cineplex has yet to take over because it would dominate the entire square footage of the city. Or perhaps you genuinely enjoy movies that involve heavy amounts of singing, dancing, and drama. Either way, you saw Fame and darn it if you didn’t think it was kind of fantastic. And now you want to dance.

Well, you’re in luck. Colleges do dance like no other institution on the planet. Almost every college has an entire department called Dance. That means that if you check out your schedule of classes, there are pages of rocking courses to choose from, all which can be taken at a beginner level. So even if you’ve never attempted African Dance or you have no idea what Lyrical Jazz is, you can start with other young adult novices and learn…And get credit for it. All you have to do is show up and participate.

Taking “class” as the dancers call it is a great way to bond with a group of people you normally would never have the opportunity to meet. Students of all majors come together to warm up their bodies in a mirror-lined room and then express themselves via movement to the sounds of strange drum beats, a live pianist, or Dave Matthews Band. What typically winds up happening is a lot of intense processing of learning a new routine followed by peals of giggles as everyone struggles to release their self-conscious nature.

Since dance involves moving your entire body, class is a natural workout that tends to leave your muscles waking up the next day pitifully asking you what they did to deserve their aching. This is the good kind of pain–the “I worked my toes off” feeling that reminds you of what fun you had, rather than of how you never want to go back. Most classes focus not only on dancing, but on core strength, increasing flexibility, and basic technique; so expect to do a variety of activities each day.

If you’re feeling intimidated about the enormity of the class schedule, here’s a quick break down of a lot of different types of dance to help you find the one that is right for you:

Aerobic Dance: If you like Top 40 boy-band inspired dancing this is the class that will have you imitating *NSYNC in no time.

African Dance: Dances from Africa. Usually high tempo and can involve singing too. This style of dance is incredibly uplifting.

Ballet: If structure, poise, and grace are your calling, try ballet. It’s classic, tricky, and will make you sweat in ways you didn’t know people in tutus could.

Ballroom Dance: This encompasses the many layers of couples dancing – swing, folk, fox-trot, salsa – check and see what style is being offered. The best part is you get to be real friendly with someone new!

Hip-Hop: This is very in, very flashy, very cool…and so much more difficult than it appears. Get ready to do big movements and pretend to have a bit of an attitude. Shoes are required. The more street the better.

Jazz Dance: Energetic and fun, jazz consists of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. Think Fred Astaire when he wasn’t tapping. The music is usually atempo pop songs.

Modern Dance: This is the experimental realm of dance – typically done barefoot and to any kind of music. Fast, slow, retro, pop, electronica, indie, a live drummer, a live cellist…you get the picture.

Tap Dance: Special shoes are required – they have metal on the bottom that clicks every time you move your foot and you tap in coordination with the music to create rhythmic patterns.

So which one is the style for you? That is a decision you’ll have to make for yourself. But give one a whirl and feel just a bit famous for a few hours each week. Expect to be addicted instantly – dance has that kind of mesmerizing power.