Dance - Fall 2024

PE 1150 - Ballroom Dancing

This is a beginning level class introducing students to Social Ballroom Dance. Participants can expect to have fun, learn some history of American Social Dance, learn about movement - how to move with your partner, how to move to the music, and enough 'moves' in five different dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba and Cha Cha) to get a taste of and a general feel for each dance. Please note: The Sunday section is for students enrolling with a partner and there is limited rotation of partners during class. Partners should enroll via Student Center at the same time to ensure that both partners get into the Sunday section. The Wednesday section is for students who either don't have a partner or don't mind rotating partners in the class. Changing partners generally results in improved mastery.

PE 1152 - Beginning Ballroom Dance Smooth

Offered during the fall semester, this is a beginning level class that introduces students to three American Smooth Style ballroom dances – Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango. This class will go further in depth than the Beginning Social Ballroom Dance class (PE1150). This class is appropriate for either beginners or students with some experience who wish to further develop their knowledge and skill in the dances covered. Participants will gain some mastery of each dance, develop partnering skills, technique, movement, styling and musicality. It is not necessary to sign up with a partner, however it is recommended to ensure balance between leads and follows. Participants will change partners throughout the class.  

PE 1155 - Introduction to Belly Dancing

Belly Dance, as it is known in the West, is an exciting and beautiful art form originating in the Middle East and North Africa. Belly Dance is a fun way to develop flexibility, body awareness, and overall body strength. Learning correct posture, muscle control, and dance movement in each class, we will end the semester with a short choreography. Comfortable clothing suitable for exercise is worn. Please feel free to bring a hip scarf to class. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome.

PE 1160 - Latin Dance

This class introduces Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Son and Comparsa. Salsa derives from the Cuban rhythm of Son. As a music and dance form, it has acquired regional variations and absorbed influences from different parts of Latin America and other continents. Bachata and Merengue are quintessential dances of the Dominican Republic. Comparsa is a form of carnival line dance. Cha Cha Cha originates in Cuba, finds expression in Rock n' Roll and western pop music, and is traditionally danced "contratiempo." In this course, we learn the basics of all of these dances. Instruction emphasizes the development of foundations in musical timing, rhythm, body movement, lead-follow connection and space use. Class begins with a stretch and body movement warm-up. We then teach dance step sequences across the floor, in rotating lines, as freestyle and in partner format. The skills learned in each dance are interrelated - as you improve in one you develop a sensibility for the others. By the end of this course you will be able to take Latin dance to a higher level and learn other partnered dances. No partner is necessary to register. Couple sign-up is encouraged. Partners rotate. This class is gender-free: each student is free to learn the lead or follow role.

PE 1162 - Salsa

This class covers beginner through advanced beginner Salsa moves. Students learn step variations and turn patterns as seen in Latin social dance and nightclub settings. Class begins with a warm-up of Salsa step patterns, also known as "shines." We then move into combinations for couples and learn patterns with rotating partners. Latin body movement and rhythm is taught in the warm-up and partner sections. In partner work, emphasis is placed on: lead-follow connection; frame and tension; spatial awareness; nuance and flow. Salsa in Rueda de Casino format will be introduced later in the semester as an additional way to enjoy Salsa. In Rueda, dancers change partners within a circle and perform dynamic combinations to the arrangement of a caller. Rueda is also a teaching tool used to improve timing and release energy. Learning aids include a syllabus, music, smartphone application and video tutorial. No partner is necessary to register. Couple sign-up is encouraged. This class is gender-free: each student is free to choose the lead or follow role.

PE 1167 - Introduction to Tango

Introduction to the fundamentals of Tango dancing and its origins. Focus is on movement on the dance floor and how to be connected to your partner. Other aspects include learning to differentiate between the genres of Tango music (Tango, Milonga, Candombe, and Vals).

PE 1170 - Introduction to Swing Dance

In this class you will learn the basics of Lindy Hop (also called Jitterbug and East Coast Swing), a social dance originated by Black Americans in the early twentieth century that is still popular today all around the world. We will work on footwork, timing, partnering, and musicality, with the goal of empowering you to have fun on the social dance floor—at weddings, parties, and wherever there's good rythmic music playing! You'll learn to improvise and have the opportunity to create short choreographs too. No dance experience or partner is necessary. In fact, you will change partners frequently in class. Wear clothes you are comfortable moving in. Shoes must have leather soles OR be white-soled sneakers with the treads worn smooth, or you can dance in socks.