Dance Your Heart Out

Light cascaded into the open studio space as the dancers within it stepped and spun to a song within their heads. As they rhythmically progressed through the motions, the only sound that could be heard was the pulsing thump of their soles on the floor, and the repeated “one-two-three-four” of a beat that kept their motions sharp and simultaneous.

When a mistake was made, they started again, rehearsing until the mirror in front of the dancers told them that they had achieved the perfection they were working so hard for.

This is the LBCC Dance Club.

The studio they are using is Legacy Ballet, whose owner, Heather Hill, is community partners with Linn Benton Community College and allows them to practice here every Saturday.

In addition to providing the rehearsal space, Heather also organizes performances, lighting and advertising. She wants to help the Dance Club in any way she can, saying: “Having dance in the community is very important to me.”

The Dance Club is not restricted to one type of dance. According to community liaison, Lex Porter, they have hip-hip, ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical routines. And they do not just perform at LB. They have also danced at Western Oregon University, Oregon State University, and the MajesticTheatre.

Jacob Birchard, performing with the Dance Club for three years now, says he originally joined because of a hip-hop class offered at LB, in which he was invited to watch a performance, and participate in a flash mob. When asked what the best part of being involved was, Jacob said, “Definitely the people,” stating that getting to know them and becoming closer as a group has been really exciting for him.

Regarding dance, he continues: “It’s an art form, a sport, and a form of physical exercise. It’s fun and beautiful and I feel amazing after doing it. That being said, it’s not for everyone. But if people like dance they shouldn’t let anyone stop them from doing it.”

For students who want to be involved, auditions are held at the start of the year to pull in new talent for the showcases that begin in the spring.

This year’s showcase will be on May 29-30, and the dancers’ unfailing dedication assures us it will not be disappointing.

To follow their activities, they have a current Facebook page set up. They are now posting sneak peeks every week if any students are interested in seeing bits of what the club is doing in their show this year. 

Lex summed it up best, saying, “When you dance, as in really dance, and project what you’re feeling, it’s the most expressive thing ever and you feel almost uninhibited at times. I want everyone to be able to have a chance to feel like I do when I dance.”

For more information about auditions, contact Kalyn Wilson, club president. Her email is wilsonkalyn5@gmail.com.