‘No experience needed’: CU-LH students host club to encourage dancing
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
PHOTO PROVIDED Students at CU-LH are pictured while participating in Dance Consort, a student club which encourages those of all skill levels to find community through dance.
Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- For students looking to keep dancing in college -- or those interested in trying it for the first time -- Commonwealth University-Lock Haven Dance Consort offers a welcoming space to learn, choreograph and express themselves.
The student club provides an opportunity for dancers to step away from the pressures of everyday life and find a community through movement. Open to students of all experience levels, the group emphasizes participation and creativity rather than prior training.
"Dance Consort is pretty much just like a club where we get to come in, be free from everything that's going on outside and just love to dance," president Makayla Ward shared.
Students also have opportunities to choreograph their own dances, allowing them to explore different styles and develop their skills alongside fellow dancers.
The club offers a variety of dance genres, including jazz, modern, hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary. Members have also recently introduced technique classes to help beginners learn foundational skills, including ballet, with basic acrobatics also being explored.
"No experience needed" is a central part of the club's approach. Members encourage students who may be hesitant to try dancing to give it a chance, emphasizing that participants do not need to arrive with any previous experience.
Each group rehearses throughout the week, with individual dance rehearsals generally lasting about an hour. Most practices take place after 4 p.m., although scheduling varies to accommodate students' availability. Technique classes also provide dedicated time for dancers to develop their abilities.
For members who have danced for years, the club offers a way to continue pursuing a passion after high school, when opportunities to take dedicated dance classes can become more limited. For newcomers, it provides an entry point into a new activity and a chance to become part of a group.
Ward said the group wants students to understand that dancing is not limited to people who have years of experience or formal training.
Their goal is to help students feel comfortable stepping outside their comfort zones, meeting others and enjoying the freedom of dance.
Although the club primarily consists of undergraduate students, graduate students are welcome to participate as their schedules allow. Members said they hope Dance Consort can help students maintain their connection to dance even as their academic and professional responsibilities change.
The club also offers opportunities for dancers to take on more individual projects. Seniors can choose to perform a senior solo, create a group piece reflecting on their college experiences or forgo a senior feature altogether. Smaller group dances and trios are also incorporated into performances, though larger group numbers remain common.
The size and style of each dance depend on the choreographer and the music that inspires the piece.
Dance Consort maintains a collection of costumes, allowing choreographers to select existing pieces or find new outfits when needed. Members pay $10 in dues, which help cover costumes, supplies for the stage and other club activities.
The club's upcoming semester show will feature three performances at Sloan Auditorium: 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, followed by performances at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Admission is free, giving students and other members of the university community an opportunity to experience the dancers' work.
For Dance Consort members, the performances represent more than the final product of weeks of rehearsals. They also showcase the creativity, collaboration and personal growth that take place throughout the semester.
Above all, members hope the club's welcoming atmosphere will encourage more students to get involved, regardless of their experience or confidence level.
Whether students have danced their entire lives or have never taken a class, Dance Consort offers an opportunity to learn something new, express themselves and find a place where they can simply enjoy dancing.