At the Pierce College spring dance show from May 30 to June 1, there were multiple performances ranging from high school teams to student-choreographed pieces. Friends and family were asked to view the showcase and support the students.
The show ranged from many different genres of dance such as hip-pop, cultural, contemporary and salsa. Each dance made a statement or made the audience have to find the deeper meaning of the performance. Students were also given merit awards at the end of the show to celebrate their accomplishments.
Professor Brian Moe said the preparation of the performances took a lot of work and hours for everyone involved. Auditions occured at the beginning of the semester and rehearsals were intensive.
”They basically say I want to choreograph a piece and she kind of works with them, finds time for them to choreograph,” Moe said. “Every week, we rehearse, hours and hours and then the combination is just a concert. It’s amazing to see how far the dancers grow and how these dances come to life. It’s really special.”
Moe added that high school students from Charter High of the Arts Multimedia and Performing (CHAMPS) were invited to participate through an articulation program that gave the students a chance to perform. Moe expressed the importance of providing a creative space for students and performers and how it is needed to allow for self-expression, storytelling and community building.
“We invite them to perform with us, and they bring a lot of energy and a lot,” Moe said. “As humans, as artists, we love to play in our humanity. We can tell stories, and we can share visions and feelings and express what words can always express as a way to inspire others, to comfort others, to build a sense of unity and community among a larger group, to watch it.”
Dance choreography student Miriam Gregorian said that she graduated from Cal State University Northridge but came to Pierce in order to be a part of the dance community once again.
“I just feel so incredibly blessed to have this space in general. Like, not everybody has it, you know?” Gregorian said. “I’m just beyond overjoyed to have it. I can come here and I can just put my all into myself, my dancers, my friends and everything and it’s a whole community, so I love it.”
Film major Zoe Cantu shared that having the dance team helped in making her feel more confident and inspired her to possibly pursue a minor in dance.
“Some people can struggle with the expression, so it’s a really good place to let go, be free. Someone said that in their family no one else dances, so it’s a new thing for them,” Cantu said. “I struggle with confidence a lot, but the people around me make me feel safe. I think everyone brings out the good sides of each other.”
