LBCC is dancing the night away, and then some.
Right now, members of the dance club are rushing rehearsals for the upcoming dance concert on May 7 and 8. The group is really enthused about the concert.
Chante Marvin, one of the dancers, said, “I’m looking forward to the performance. I’m really excited to see the other pieces people have come up with.”
Dance instructor Katherine Sanders explained, “We’re really putting on a show that takes a lot of people from the community to make it happen.”
Sanders has created a dance club open to any LBCC student with an interest in dance. Sanders explained, “I think everybody can dance.” Both genders and people of all levels (from no experience to professional) are highly encouraged to check out this new club that meets on the Albany campus and sometimes at the Benton Center.
Liz Pearce, one of Sanders’ students and an LBCC staff choreographer, said, “It’s great to have this opportunity on the Albany campus. There’s never been anything like this.”
Sanders began this club during fall term with the ambitious intention of having a dance organization originating out of LBCC and performing for the community. She felt that there was a desire and need. Forty students rose to the call.
Mia Sanchez, the student representative of the club, was “all over the idea.” As a dancer and one of the six student choreographers, she is very optimistic about this new club.
“I’m having a great time … it is a little frustrating when you go over it [the same dance] over and over and you have somebody else’s vision you’re trying to fulfill … but it’s a lot of fun.”
Sanders says that all types of dance are welcome in the club, but right now student interest mainly lies in hip hop and modern dance. Students choreograph most of the dances practiced.
Daniel Rasberry, one of the student choreographers and dance club members, said, “I love hip hop. I love the feel of it. I talked to Katherine and loved what she believed in and what she represents with her dancing. It fits me and my personality and the way I am.”
Sanders is a strong advocate for the arts, but her main passion is dance. She hopes this concert and the club will artistically inspire people, particularly other students. Her goals are to provide a creative learning experience for students outside of the classroom and to touch the community at large.
At a glance:
- For more information about the club contact Katherine Sanders at sanderk@linnbenton.edu or (541) 917-4235
- Concerts are 7:30 p.m. May 7 and 2 p.m. May 8 at the Russell Tripp Performance Center on the Albany campus
- Cost for concerts: $5 adult $2 children ages 5 to 12, free for children 4 and under
- check out this website for an explanation of hip hop
- for a definition of modern dance click this link
