By Jamil Oakford/ managing editor
NW students Breiah Allen and Chelsey Johnson lead the group in a jump during rehearsals for the hip-hop piece “Janet.”
NW dance company to perform mix of dance styles in new show
With dances ranging from modern to hip-hop, the 12-member NW Campus dance company prepares for Mosaic in Motion Oct. 30.
NW student and third-year company member Chelsey Johnson has high hopes for what audience members will take away from the performance.
“I hope they will be inspired to dance,” she said. “Dancers bring happiness.”
Many of the members buzzed about their favorite dance pieces, the most frequent title mentioned being “Janet,” a melody of Janet Jackson’s greatest hits.
“It shows a lot of our talents, and it brings a little of everybody to the piece,” NW student Morgan Matus said.
Fellow company member and two-year veteran Breiah Allen agreed.
“It’s just so much fun and more my style,” she said.
NW student Harlee Jeter also found modern to be a bit different from what she was used to, but she likes it.
“I was on the drill team in high school, so modern is somewhat similar, but it’s much more natural,” she said.
While “Janet” was the standout favorite, channeling different styles of dance, NW student Payton Richardson found the piece “Masks We Wear” to be her
favorite.
“Even though it’s a really simple piece, you can feel all the emotion in it,” she said.
NW student Aaron Rodriguez said he connected with this piece.
“It’s my favorite because it’s something where you get to express everything,” he said. “I also get to be lifted.”
Most of the dancers shared that they’re learning a lot through this process, especially types of dance they’ve never learned.
“Amy Sleigh’s [NW dance professor] piece is very difficult, very modern,” NW student Samantha Cobb said. “It’s very new to me, but I like it.”
Matus said the teaching style for the company is fast-paced, and she likes it that way. She said they can learn more choreography faster.
And Robinson, who came to the company from her high school’s drill team, finds it different.
“The style of the way that it’s taught is different,” she said. “It’s really on you to learn the steps instead of being spoon-fed like in drill.”
With all their hard work, most of the dancers agree they want the audience to feel inspired. Rodriguez hopes this show will help people recognize their dreams and follow them.
“I hope they take home the motivation to pursue their own dream and enjoy what they’re doing,” he said.
