| Fall 2006 |
The dance scene at Michigan is as diverse as its student body. And when I say "dance scene," I'm not talking about the local clubs in Ann Arbor. I'm referring to the multiple dance groups on campus: Michigan Dance Team, Impact Dance, Indigo Dance, PURE Dance X-treme, Rhythm-n-tap ensemble, Dance 2XS; the list goes on. For a non-dancer, deciphering the differences between these groups may seem a little daunting. What happened to there being only one type of dance, the kind with the pink tutus and girls prancing around the stage? So, if you've ever caught yourself asking a dancer to "do a twirl" or "do the splits," unaware of what exactly he/she does five nights a week (and seven during competition season), this article will give you a quick lesson on the ABC's of dance. And if you are, in fact, a dancer and thought you had to give up dance at University, get involved in one of the following groups: your feet will be so happy that you did.
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The Michigan Dance Team takes to the field at Michigan Stadium
Photo: Michigan Dance Team
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Most of the dance groups on campus are independent and student-run. Accordingly, the choreography is usually completely original and the style of each group is dependant upon the diversity of its dancers. There are dance groups that have one main technique: the Ballroom Dance team, Swing Ann Arbor, and Campus Belly Dancers, to name a few. However, most of the groups incorporate a few different techniques into a unique style. Impact Dance, for example, incorporates jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, modern, and ballet into original pieces set to popular music (everything from The Fray to Gnarls Barkley). Impact dance has its two big shows during the winter semester each year, and they are definitely worth the price of admission. Dance 2XS mixes hip-hop, jazz, funk, and house styles into innovative performances also set to contemporary music. The group puts on several performances throughout the year including workshops, Promiscuous Night, and One Love, all of which would rival Mr. Timberlake’s music videos. The Michigan Dance Team performs at football games, basketball games, and competes in Universal Dance Association's National Cheer and Dance Team Competition held in Orlando, Florida every January. They are not to be confused with the Michigan Cheerleaders, even though the dance team also uses pon poms. The Michigan Dance Team incorporates jazz, pom, and hip-hop into their sidelines and half-time performances. Compare the recognizable kickline (a central part of the team's repertoire) to a modern day Can-can dance without the whole peek-a-boo skirt deal. If you attend sports events, it is hard to miss the dance team. However, the team is seldom recognized for its impressive performance in national competitions: they took 8th place for division 1A dance last year and are the highest ranked division 1A college dance team in the state.
Since the majority of the dance groups on campus have some base component in jazz dance, it is only fitting to outline its history. Jazz dance began in the 1900's as style of dance to fit popular music. Swing dance and Cabaret-style jazz were the first popularized forms of jazz (think "All that Jazz"). A century later, modern jazz dance has diverged into several more forms. It is now attached to the dances seen in Broadway shows, MTV music videos, concert dance company pieces, and drill team performances. Despite the variation, jazz dance is usually taught using basic techniques such as extensions, turns, and leaps. Once a dancer has learned the basic forms, they are put together with music to form a routine. The choreography of these routines is where the several sects of modern dance begin to diverge. It might be hard for the untrained eye to detect, but jazz technique is heavily based on the ballet tradition. Gone are the pointe shoes and tutus, but pirouettes, leaps, and extensions (all taken from ballet) are found in almost every jazz routine. Modern and contemporary dance has taken basic elements from both jazz and ballet and reworked them into new, unique mediums.
Consider the various groups a small scale "So You Think You Can Dance" located conveniently on campus. Even if you've never seen the show, it's quite evident that the groups on campus provide a wide-range of dance styles. Whether you prefer emotional lyrical pieces, sharp, sexy jazz numbers, or funky hip-hop dance, you don't have to go far to experience some truly innovative, and awe-inspiring dancing. To quote famous choreographer and pioneer of modern dance Alvin Ailey, "Dance came from the people, and should always be given back to the people." No matter how great the groups, they are nothing without an audience. A love and appreciation of dance may take time, but like music, the possibilities are endless. So the next time you are planning on going to a concert or movie, take a second to search the Arts at Michigan website for a dance performance and give it a whirl.
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