Photo courtesy of Tim Agler
What do shows like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s got Talent,” and “The Big Bang Theory” have in common? All have featured students from Mt. SAC’s dance department.
The dance program is an acclaimed award winning dance program. The Repertory Dance Company won the grand prize at the Palms Desert Choreography Festival in November 2010 and were featured in the Gala performance at the American College Dance Festival Association in Palm Desert in March.
Most recently, former student Jordon Casanova made the top 10 on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and Amy Nakamura, chair of the dance department, choreographed a segment on the Disney Channel show, A.N.T. Farm.
Nakamura said she gives her students opportunities to “teach them the tools they need,” such as working with Professor Lee Martino who won an Ovation Award for choreography in musical theatre and also with other well-known guest choreographers who have choreographed for Broadway.
Ever since she began as a part-timer in 1997, Nakamura said she fell in love with the students.
“There was something about the students where you could really tell that they just love to learn and you know that they want to be here,” Nakamura said.
Nakamura added she understands that a student dealing with the stress of family, work, and school can use dance as a creative outlet to escape.
“Student’s need dance in their lives,” she said.
Mikaela Zhao, 20, communications major and intermediate dancer in the Repertory Dance Company, said that it is stressful working in a production.
“It is encouraging, inspiring and intimidating, but it’s nice at the same time,” Zhao said.
Zhao said she felt intimidated by the advanced dancers and did not expect to see such amazing dancers. Zhao entered the dance program to improve her technique and said that the dancers and instructors helped her.
Hayley Dorling, 22, dance major, said some people underestimate the program.
Dorling auditioned for “So You Think You Can Dance” and made it to the call back portion. She said she would do it again.
“I would definitely audition again and see what happens,” Dorling said.
Dorling has been dancing for 15 years and up until her college career began, she had only been doing ballet. Dorling said, “I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a dancer.”
Dorling remembered crying in her first week of Nakamura’s class because the movement was so different. Now she said she has grown as a dancer and her technique is better. She recently auditioned for a critically acclaimed contemporary dance company called Entity and made it. She said without the support of her teachers she would not have made it.
“We need the teachers and the teachers need us. We need to work together,” Dorling said.
Both Zhao and Dorling said that working with the crew has its ups and downs, but in the end they are one big happy family.
“It’s like a family feud, but I like how we can have all of those differences and then go on stage and create something beautiful,” Dorling said.
The dance program also offers a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program. Students can earn their Pilates teacher training certificate which allows a person to teach at their own studio, recreational center, etc. They also have a Dance Teaching Certificate which is all located under the Physical Education division.
- Kathryn Banks
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