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Hillsdale dance grows
By Bridget Karl
Collegian Reporter
Pink leather
slippers are becoming quite the rage at Hillsdale College.
Ballet and modern dance have become
two immensely popular classes at the college in the past year.
It is an example of how student interest can shape the expenditures
and directions of a college.
Last autumn was the first time
in years that a ballet class was offered. This year dance is
even more prominent. The college has added two classes, a second
instructor and better facilities.
Last year only one professor taught
one section each of beginning ballet, intermediate ballet and
modern dance. This year those classes are offered again, as
well as a second section of beginning ballet and intermediate
modern dance.
Ballet and modern dance classes
were formerly held in the George Roche Sports Complex. However,
the increased interest in dance prompted George Angell, director
of the theater and speech department, Rich Péwé
and others to find funds in a narrow budget to install an appropriate
dance surface.
Faculty and students assembled
the dance floor and placed it in Sage Center for the Arts' former
choir room.
At least 39 students are enrolled
in a dance class this semester.
Melissa Beck Matjias and Jovita
Weibel, the two dance instructors, each have a Master of Fine
Arts from the University of Michigan. Both women have done extensive
choreography and performing.
The influence of these women extends
beyond dance class.
DANCE Magazine reviewed Beck Matjias'
choreography in this months' issue. Weibel is choreographing
the college's spring musical, Gershwin's Of Thee I Sing.
Beck Matjias was visibly enthusiastic
when speaking of her experience with Hillsdale students.
"Last year I had three classes,
and they were all packed," she said.
Beck Matjias and Weibel decided
to boost dance morale even higher by offering to choreograph
and direct the college's first modern dance performance. Many
dancers, mostly those enrolled in a modern dance class, have
decided to become involved. The performance is scheduled for
Valentine's Day in Markel Auditorium.
Angell said that although Beck
Matjias and Weibel are choreographing the performance, many
aspects of the theater department will likely be involved, including
costumes and lighting.
"There's actually a dance
program at Hillsdale. I'm very happy. I wished it happened before
my junior year," said Megan Oprea, a dancer in the performance.
One of the reasons Angell pursued
the course offerings was the demand expressed from the admissions
office.
Angell took action when he heard
that students were either leaving or not coming to Hillsdale
because there wasn't enough dance.
"That gave me a leg up on
the importance of trying to get the dance program," he
said.
A simple way in which Angell increased
access to dance classes for students was cross-listing the classes
under both theater and physical education departments.
Interest in dance at Hillsdale
is not limited to ballet and modern classes taught by Beck Matjias
and Weibel.
Two freshmen involved in different
kinds of Celtic dance are also teaching fellow students.
Caitlin Ward, a competition Irish
dancer, and Hannah Mahan, a competition (Scottish) Highland
dancer, are in demand on and off campus in Hillsdale. Ward is
teaching Irish dance to two elementary students at Hillsdale
Gymnastics Center once a week. Mahan teaches four to five college
students.
Continued interest in Irish and
Highland dance might procure an instructor also, once ballet
and modern dance are more established.
"I certainly think there
is a place for ethnic dance," Angell said. "I think
we need to cover the real bases first, and be able to do that
with some security that it can continue before we start anything
special, but I don't see any reason why it couldn't happen.
If there were enough people who wanted it, we could go forward
at some point.
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Emma Tocci/Collegian
Freshman Caitlin Ward teaches dance
to members from the community. Ward is a competition Irish
dancer and also teaches Hillsdale students the form of Celtic
dance.
Photo Courtesy of George Angell
Jovita Weibel (L), David Griffiths
and Kirstin Kiledal construct the Sage Center for the Arts'
new dance floor.
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