A Los Angeles native who grew up in Reseda, now 21-year-old pre-vet major has a flare for dance..
This fall is Candice-Cheree Cohen’s third year at Pierce College and along with her pre-vet courses she has found the time to take dance classes, do choreography, and gymnastics. All of this while working as a masseuse to pay her own way through college.
“Candice has been choreographing as long as I’ve known her,” Said Eva Schlachter a 22-year-old accounting major. “She has always made me feel more passionate about dancing.”
Cohen made her official debut to choreography this semester by helping instructor in theater and dance Marian Weiser in creating the dance moves that went into the recently performed Folk traditional fall dance concert.
The pieces that Cohen choreographed earned her high praise from teachers and fellow dancers.
“She choreographed a very well rounded piece,” said Denise Gibson, adjunct instructor of physical education. “She also did great working with multiple levels of talent.”
Currently Cohen is working with her dance partner and long time friend Eva Schlachter to choreograph a jazz routine for there final in Gibson’s jazz dance class.
“Her creativity is unique” said Gibson. “She has a real talent for putting emotions into movement.”
Cohen has been a student in Gibson’s jazz dance class for the last two semesters and will be returning next semester as well as taking ballet, and helping to choreograph for the spring concert.
“She (Cohen) is really good at character choreography,” said Schlachter. “She moves really well and makes dancing fun.”
Cohen loves Broadway musicals and especially loves jazz dance.
“Dancing is the most freeing experience,” said Cohen. “You can express all your emotions through dance.”
While dancing is one of her biggest passions her goal is to transfer to a veterinarian school where she plans to specialize in dentistry for big cats.
“I love cats, especially big cats,” said Cohen. “I’ve wanted to work with animals since I was a kid.”
Cohen has been doing gymnastics since she was 10-years-old but took a few years off after breaking her arm.
She returned to Gymnastics 4-months ago and said that it is something she is glad to have back in her life.
“The gymnastics really help with the dancing,” said Cohen. “As well as the stretching I would recommend that to everyone even if they don’t dance.”
Cohen got into massage therapy at an early age as well. She grew up down the street from a massage school and was always intrigued.
She began taking the courses last year and has been working as a masseuse for 2 months. She specializes in Lomi Lomi massage which uses mostly forearms.
Cohen is eagerly waiting for next semester and is hoping to get a chance to choreograph three pieces for the spring concert.
“It would be nice for her to work with some advanced style dancers,” said Gibson. “And see where that takes her as a choreographer.”
Cohen is a hard worker and has unique style according to Gibson.
While becoming a veterinarian is her goal Cohen said that she will carry dance with her no matter where she goes.
“Anyone who is interested in dance can come up and talk to me,” said Cohen. “I want to see your moves maybe I could use them in a routine.”
Candice-Cheree Cohen is a 21-year-old pre-vet major in her third semester at Pierce College. She created the choreography this semester for the Folk dance concert. (Kevin Reynold/ Roundup)
