Separating Yale's dancers from their dance

By Kerry Fisher

You'll find music, art, and theater departments in the Blue Book, but nothing under "dance." Yale has no official dance department—yet. Not to worry, though. Yale's dancers have plenty of opportunities beyond the classroom. Whatever your dance background, whether you have been training since you could walk or you only dance at parties, and whatever your style—tap, ballet, modern, hip-hop, ballroom, or improv—you should be able to find your groove among one of Yale's dance groups.

In the past couple of years, dance at Yale has moved from the marginal fringes of a forgotten art to a lively scene that includes a variety of groups which attract those who seek opportunities beyond tutus or black leather pants. Dancers from all groups praise the many opportunities to learn from others and expand their own repertoires. Beyond the realm of "Soul Train" and "Swan Lake," dancers at Yale can find a sense of community and have great freedom to work collaboratively and imaginatively.

Dance till you drop

Of the more than five dance groups at Yale, Danceworks requries the minimum amount of previous dance experience. An ensemble dance forum, this coed group welcomes dancers of all types with varying levels of experience, no auditions required. Completely student-run, the group prides itself on its diversity, creativity, and energy. Anyone is welcome to choreograph the performances held each semester, and when choreographers are given free reign, the possibilities are endless.

YaleDancers, known for their professionalism and technical proficiency, appeals to those seeking a more intense group. YaleDancers holds auditions once a year at the beginning of the fall semester, and auditions are open to anyone, undergrads or grad students. Dancers rehearse one hour each week per dance and spend an additional three hours at two weekly classes. A big perk of being in YaleDancers is the opportunity to attend the regular master classes that the group sponsors. According to Jenny Lagerquist, PC '99, the group is "really devoted, and although the dynamic changes radically every year depending on who participates, everyone is intensely committed." The commitment clearly pays off: YaleDancers holds well-attended shows twice a year. And through a community service program instituted four years ago, YaleDancers also visits New Haven schools, performing at assemblies , holding dance lessons, and spreading the joy of dance through interacting with the New Haven community. For Lagerquist, her experience in YaleDancers was life-altering. "When I came here, I thought dancing would just keep me happy and sane and be a way to meet people," she said. "Next year, I'm going to the Tisch School of Dance at NYU to pursue my M. A. in dance. It would have been impossiblewithout YaleDancers."

A Different Drum, the newest dance group at Yale, incorporates just about every style its dancers know into its eclectic performances. Its members are well-trained in an assortment of dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop, and Indian. A Different Drum just celebrated its second birthday in its own unique, multicultural style, and, in addition to being Yale's youngest dance group, it may be the most rapidly-growing dance troupe on campus.

Rhythmic Blue offers a more specialized dance environment, focusing on modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. Performances are energetic, lively, and fun, with a repertoire performed most frequently to urban contemporary, rock, and hip-hop music. This skilled and fast-paced group performs twice each year, and also travels to different after-school programs throughout New Haven and Connecticut to share their talent with members of the community.

The aptly-named TAPS is Yale's all-tap-dancing group, offering one show a year of high-quality and offbeat tapping. This past year's show, "Metallorgy," featured everything from improvisational tap to elaborate sets and costumes to live bagpipe music. Like all student dance groups, TAPS's shows are almost entirely student-choreographed, although tap professionals and dance advisors are sometimes brought in to supplement student know-how.

Yale also has its own Ballroom Dance Club, which provides weekly classes for the Yale community and sends its members to competitions across the region. If you've always wanted to tango or waltz—or just enjoy dressing up and stepping out—consider joining. Many team members begin their training at Yale and are soon winning medals in national competitions. Members of the Ballroom Dance team also perform several on-campus shows throughout the school year. Under the guidance of Anne Remsen, JE '00, an expert in traditional Irish dances, the team has added a number of international dance styles, from flamenco, tango, and samba to complex Asian and African dances, as was reflected by their eclectic winter cabaret-style show.

In response to Yale's burgeoning-and varied-dance scene, several dancers formed umbrella group ADAY (Alliance for Dance at Yale) in Spring of 1998. The group planned a conference in September which included classes, panels, student shows, and a professional performance, and hopes to repeat and the conference this fall. ADAY will also work to expand dance class offerings and to help groups coordinate resources.

Master class

Yet, although interest in dance at Yale is booming, students seeking formalized training beyond recreational courses have only recently found an outlet for their talents. While the theater studies department has always incorporated movement exercises into its acting and production workshop, instruction in dance has only progressed in baby steps-until recently.

This Spring semester, the theater studies department offered the first history of dance class in years. Its instructor, Nadine George, BK '93, created a curriculum combining history and exercises to illustrated a variety of different topics.The result was just the kind of enrichment dancers have been looking for. "My knowledge had only been through my experience," YaleDancer Pamela James, JE '01, said. "I had no idea about the different things written on dance. The class definitely helps me see dance from many different viewpoints."

This kind of enthusiasm has both students and faculty thinking about the next step: establishing a more substantial place for dance in Yale's curriculum. Yale's faculty boasts a wealth of professors with dance knowledge and experience. Joseph Roach, a professor of theater studies and the Director of Graduate Studies in English, chaired dance programs at Sweet Briar College and Washington University in St. Louis. William Deresiewicz, an English professor, has written dance criticism for Dance Magazine and The Village Voice.

But perhaps the most vibrant resource for more "academic" dance projects is Yale's students. Mimi Yin, PC '99, a music major, crafted a senior project that last Spring that explored the relationship between music and dance, and the power that either one has to elucidate the other. Yin hopes that her work will continue in the Yale College Dance Forum, a group now in its early stages that, she hopes, will provide a chance "for people to present their work and explain what went into it."

Naomi Koppel, TC '99, also pursued a high-tech interdisciplinary senior project this Spring. A computer science major who danced with Taps and A Different Drum, Koppel wondered if she could reverse the normal process of composition; that is, if she could make music follow dance instead of dance follow music. Koppel put colored sensors on the major joints of a group of dancers, who then began a controlled improvisation. A computer translated these movements into coordinates, and these coordinates into musical phrases.

In the 'swing' of things

For most Yalies, though, dance means just having fun. And opportunities abound to stretch, glide, and step. The gym offers classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and African dance at varying levels; some are taught by professional dancers and some by more advanced undergraduates. Ballroom dance classes are the most popular; these include standard ballroom (fox trot, rumba, waltz) and also classes with a Latin focus. Swing is also enjoying a revival on campus, and, in addition to instruction, Toad's Place on York Street (among other clubs) has offered themed swing nights.

Students not afraid to wander off campus will find a wealth of dance opportunities in New Haven as well. Signs are frequently posted advertising English, Scottish Country, or Contra dancing, often within walking distance of campus. In addition, Gecko and Club Liquid will satisfy anyone seeking more of a club scene in which to practice moves. With consistently packed dance floors, the hip-hop flavored atmosphere of these two New Haven nightclubs keeps people grooving till all hours. In addition, Toad's Place offers a number of musical styles for recreational dancing, from R&B to alternative, and student parties offer anyone with the suitable confidence (or level of inebriation) the chance to cut a rug. At a school renowned for its drama and a cappella groups, dancers, too, will find outlets for their talent and enthusiasm.

Siobhan Peiffer contributed to this article.

Back to Just Do It...