At Grossmont College, dance is more than just a class—it’s a chance to grow, explore and perform. Through a combination of master classes and a semester-end showcase, the Dance Department gives students both professional training and the experience of performing onstage. This spring, students not only learned from industry professionals in a series of master classes, but they also brought their hard work to life during the department’s annual concert. Offered in some form each semester, these opportunities show how the program helps its students build confidence, expand their skills and connect through movement.

Master Inspiration

The Grossmont College Dance Department  offered dance students a series of master classes taught by dance personalities throughout the semester, to expose them to different types of dance and instructors.

Six master classes were offered on campus during the semester, including popping, contemporary, community partnering, ballet folklorico and two contemporary ballet classes; beginner and advanced levels.

According to Interim Department Chair Nancy Boskin-Mullen, the class limit was 30 to 35 people, with enrollment priority given to dance students since the classes were mandatory for them. “If there’s space, we allow other students to take the class, and that’s usually 10 dollars to get that,” she said.

Master classes were taught by dance professionals from outside the college community, and the students’ satisfaction was high.

Keonnie Ross, a dance major, said that if these classes were not mandatory for her, she would still attend the classes because they’ve pushed her out of her comfort zone while gaining confidence.

“At first I was very shy, and thinking, ‘Everyone is so good, I don’t think I can do this,’ but… finally not being shy,” she said.

According to Nakyal Boone, a marketing major, the master classes also gave students the chance to explore new styles and try different forms of dance that they may not have experienced before.

“It’s always good to have versatility,” she said. “You want to have a whole bunch of different things under your belt, and even if you do specialize in one thing, it’s so nice to maybe have this… Pokemon card pull out here.”

Boone also mentioned how inspirational it is to see other dancers and think, “I can do that too.”

To give students the opportunity to expand their skills, the Dance Department tries to offer these classes every semester and bring in different instructors each time.

First-Hand Experience

The Grossmont College Dance Department recently hosted its annual Entrances and Exits concert to showcase student talent to the school community.

After working over the semester, nine dance pieces were presented by students in the Dance Department at the show, which was held May 8-10 in the Performing & Visual Arts Center. The main purpose is to give students the opportunity to experience preparing for a show and being on a stage and to get them out of their comfort zones.

The showcase was well-attended by the student community as well as dancers’ friends and family. Jazmin Brown, an adjunct instructor at Grossmont, said from a dancer’s perspective, seeing the audience there feels supportive. “It’s like all my hard work– I’ve been pouring my time, sweat, and energy into this moment, and it was all worth it,” she said.

While being part of at least one dance class was required, students still had to audition to participate in the show. According to Boskin-Mullen, auditions take place in the first week of the semester.

Among all the pieces presented, there was a choreography created by Brown that was inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance earlier this year. Brown mentioned the more research she did about Lamar, the more she would appreciate his work, as it has had “a big impact” on hip-hop culture. Even when research is a key step to choreography, Brown said her own way of creating a piece like this includes playing the music multiple times, trying the choreography herself and seeing it on the dancers.

Ross said being part of school events like this one gives students experience that can help them in their dance careers. “If a comes, they can see you and think, ‘She is really good,’” Ross said. “This helps you get valued.”

She added that being part of the dance community helps create connections.

Boone said her classmates help her feel motivated. “You enjoy being here rather than it being something you have to do,” she said.

At the end of every semester, there is a dance concert to exhibit students’ skills. So, if you missed this showcase, stay tuned for the next one!