Students learn some swingin’ dance moves
Rapid City sophomore Jocelyn Menestrina learned a new way to dance Sunday evening.
And it wasn’t the Harlem shake, the Cha Cha or the shoulder lean.
Menestrina joined a group of students to learn a dance rich in American tradition — swing.
“I like that it’s not typical dance moves that you see in today’s social atmosphere,” Menestrina said. “It’s nice to have some variation.”
Swing Kids, a registered student organization, gathered Sunday and hosted free swing dance lessons.
About 28 students showed up for the weekly swing dance session in Finch Fieldhouse. The group teaches free lessons to the Mount Pleasant community at 7 p.m. every Sunday.
The organization has been doing this at CMU for seven years, during every spring and fall semester.
“People like being a part of something that is a tradition,” said Brandi Vermillion, West Branch junior and president of Swing Kids. “Swing dancing has its roots way back in the century and it’s very American.”
The group teaches the basics of swing dance and tries to teach something different every week. It is open to all students and community members.
Swing Kids is composed of about 12 students who teach the lessons. Members of the performance group also do a handful of shows. The group’s biggest event is the annual honors talent show.
Vermillion and her dance coordinator, Allen Park junior Jessica Kolongowski, typically teaches the lessons, but other students from the performance group help.
The first thing Vermillion taught the students Sunday night was the “chug” — an element in swing that requires the dancer to do little bounces on every beat of the song.
“I saw swing on TV and I’ve always wanted to dance, so why not swing?” said Camden freshman Trevor Dunlap, who tried the dance for the first time at the class.
Many of the students said they liked taking the class because they enjoy dancing, as well as the conversational aspect.
“When I heard about it my freshman year I liked it — this will be my third year,” said Jeff Vovillia.
“It’s a super cool good time,” said the Waterford junior and Student Government Association representative.
Vermillion stressed if people want to jump in late, they would not be behind. The group teaches four different types of dance at the workshops.
