Local studios and student organizations give opportunities to non-dance majors.
At the end of high school, many dancers find a crossroads in which they choose between their passion for dance and another career path.
However, at Ohio University the opportunities for non-dance majors are plentiful, making the choice unnecessary. Local dance studios and student organizations offer a wide variety of experiences for students looking to remain active in dance during their time at OU.
Factory Street Dance Studio, a non-profit studio in its 38th year located at 37 Ohio Ave., is one local dance offering. Though the majority of classes at the studio cater to 3 to 18 year olds, the studio does offer adult classes.
“Our mission is emphasizing self-esteem, personal growth and cooperation (through dance),” Elizabeth Atwell Brumley, artistic director of the studio, said.
The studio teaches modern ballet, jazz, hip-hop and composition to its students enrolled in its semester-based classes. Tuition rates are charged on a semester basis, but are about $10 per class. Those classes are offered primarily to K-12 students, Brumley said.
“Quite a few students grow up at the studio,” Brumley said.
OU students can take advantage of Factory Street’s adult modern classes on Friday at 1 p.m. for $10, private ballroom partnering lessons by appointment for a cost of $40 per couple or Pilates private or group lessons by appointment.
In addition, the studio hosts occasional workshops and specialty events, such as past Bollywood and African dance classes, Brumley said.
One student organization on campus is the Jitterbug Club, a group devoted to the teaching and learning of swing dance. Members spend multiple weeks devoted to one specific dance, such as the East Coast, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa or Blues. Lessons are held every Wednesday in Baker 240 with intermediate lessons at 7 p.m., beginner lessons at 8 p.m. and open dance at 9 p.m.
The club welcomes people with a variety of dance backgrounds. No experience is required.
“We start from the very beginning so people with a lot of dance background to people with no dance background whatsoever can come in,” Megan Stickney, a junior studying electrical engineering and the president of the club, said.
Newcomers are welcome throughout the year, but are encouraged to make it to the first lesson of a dance style. However, they can always be caught up, Stickney said.
Coming from a dance background herself, Stickney was excited to get started in Jitterbug Club her freshman year.
“I found out about Jitterbug Club before I got here, and when I got to the Involvement Fair, I made a beeline for them,” Stickney said.
Stickney said she would encourage any student to join in the club.
“(Dance is) fun, it’s enjoyable. You get to get up and move around, which is always great when you are stuck studying and doing homework a lot of the time,” Stickney said. “It’s a good way to take your mind off of school and relax for a little bit and have fun with people.”
The Movement Organization is another group devoted to dance. The organization offers weekly classes on Saturday at 2 p.m. during which various forms of dance are taught.
“We want to have our own classes taught by members for members,” Azaree Whitehead, a junior studying dance and education and the secretary of Movement, said.
The schedule, which is sent out in advance, has focused on Pilates, hip-hop and improv in previous classes.
One interesting aspect of Movement is its ability to offer a concert for students to showcase their work in.
The group also travels to cities, such as Cleveland and Columbus, to see shows. It has a trip to Columbus planned later in the month.
There are quite a few members who are not dance majors.
“It’s easy when you graduate high school to let dance go,” Whitehead said.
One goal of the group is to help those without a dance major stay active in the sport.
Though the group does attract experienced dancers, it welcomes everyone regardless of his or her level of experience, Whitehead said.
“(We) want anyone who loves to dance (to) share that craft,” she said.
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