How many people do you think like to dance? A couple maybe, thousands, millions of people? Maybe not out in public, or out in the club, maybe home alone in your room blasting 80's music in boxers and a tank top like Tom Cruise.
The students at LBCC are finding ways to express themselves through dance at the LBCC dance program. Though it may be smaller than dance other programs, students get to experience dance with unique instructors and talented peers.
Rachael Lehman-Arana, who is 19 years old of Albany, is in her second term at LBCC. She has only taken one term of dance at the college, but once was enough to get her even more interested in the experience.
“It was fun,” says Lehman-Arana, “The warm ups were relaxed, and the instructor always pushed you to do more.”
Lehman-Arana has had some previous dance/cheer leading experience so she took some Hip-Hop classes. She mentioned to me that she had wished there were a few more offered classes in a wider range of levels with different dances. She also commented on the instructor of the dance program.
“She's a very fun instructor and very unique. She always gave you positive encouragement," says Lehman-Arana.
Another addition to the dance classes is the head instructor at LBCC. Katherine Sanders (Above) of Albany, is the the main instructor of the dance classes at LBCC. Katherine mentioned how she loved every aspect of dance. She talked about what dance meant to her and why she enjoys it so much.
She has been teaching dance for about 21 years. It will be her 5th year teaching dance at Linn-Benton in January. She did mention that one thing that she wishes the campus had was an actual program for dance.
“It's not exactly a program, just activities like a P.E. Class. You can't really move forward, you can have the opportunity but its hard to move forward and advance on.” says Sanders.
There are a lot of students here who enjoy dance and love taking the classes. However the budget for another program is not available at the moment.
According to the LBCC activites database the fall term of last year, the enrollment count was about 85-90 students in the class, this fall with less dance classes offered, the enrollment count is now around 50 students.
In 2012 during the fall and winter terms there will be dance classes offered such as Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Jazz.
Fortunately, Sanders has made a dance club for LBCC for anyone that enjoys dancing to come and join. She started the club as an instructor and did the choreography and organization.
This year she is”passing the torch” as she says to the students, and have it more student run. Many students feel that there needs to be a more official dance program offered at Linn-Benton Community College
Most people that know about dance find it to be a passion, an escape and a way to let your emotions go crazy. Dance is the type of art and activity, that lets people express themselves in a such way that the passion is overwhelming.
The students say dance classes are fun and everyone is around people who share the same respect for the art. People can be themselves and just do what they love and dance and express themselves in one big emotion.
According to an article by the Fired Up Dance Academy, dancing is also a great way to build up strength and also provides insight to the appreciation for dance. It also offers different links to find colleges and univerisities that offer dance to the students.
At LBCC (Linn-Benton Community College) many students participate in the dance program. There are some thoughts on the fact that dance classes are only offered twice a year. Many students here on campus take the dance classes that are offered here.
The following classes are offered here: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and all of them range from beginning level techniques to advanced techniques.
“There's so much to say with dance, its something that makes you feel connected mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There's just a lot of joy," says Sanders.
If you would like to become part of the dance program and/or the dance club at LBCC, visit Sanders's instructor website or email her for more information about the dance programs.
Sanders also owns her own dance studio in Corvallis, Oregon, called Downtown Dance Corvallis.She offers dance classes of all types ranging from hip hop, to contemporary, and jazz. More information can be found on the website or give her a call to find out about the offered classes.
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At a glance:
Become a dancer!
Downtown Dance Corvallis
223 NW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone. 541.829.0070
If interested at all, come and dance your heart out.
LBCC Dance Program
LBCC Activities Center
To bring more attention to the offered dance classes and dance clubs at Linn-Benton Community College.
Websites involved: linnbenton.edu, firedupdanceacademy.com, downtowndancecorvallis.com
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