Dance students to display their skills in NW concert

By Victor Henderson/nw news editor

NW dance students will leave it all on the stage in their annual Fall into Dance concert.

Kim Jackson, NW associate professor of humanities and dance, said the dance program sponsors this event to give students the opportunity to showcase their skills in the form of hip-hop, jazz, ballet and modern dance.

“One of the main measures of success for a dance class is immersing in the performance experience,” she said. “This program gives the students an opportunity to explore that aspect of dance.”

Lacreacia Sanders, associate professor of dance, choreographed some of the dances. She said the focus of the concert is to showcase the variety in the campus’ dance program.

“This concert features our entire dance program, which includes dance works by five faculty members and some are choreographed by guest artists,” she said.

Jessica Sweetland, a dance student performing in the concert, said she plans to travel to Paris to dance. Being part of the dance program gives her the opportunity to learn and grow.

“This program is inspiring. It’s physical and I love it,” she said.

Not everyone in the performance is a dance major. Danielle Hardwick, a theater major, is taking a dance class and is excited to dance in two pieces of the show.

“I’m taking dance to improve my dance skills,” she said.  “I get nervous, but nerves are good if you use them the right way.”

Tatiana Madrigal, a sophomore volleyball player at Marine Creek Collegiate High School, is taking ballet to strengthen her bones and become more flexible.

“Before taking [ballet], I wasn’t quite sure what to expect,” she said. “After I took the class, everyone in the class motivated me to go … home and practice all the time.”

Kimberlee Haslem is dancing in seven different pieces and wants to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I’m actually planning on being a special education teacher and majoring in dance therapy,” she said. “This is just a stepping stone to get me to the next level”.

This event will take place at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 in WSTU 1301/1303.

For more information, contact Jackson at 817-515-7220 or kim.jackson@tccd.edu.