Students looking to learn new moves and explore different cultures are provided with just that opportunity, through the Cultural Dance Series at UCF Recreation and Wellness center.
The RWC partnered with the Multicultural student center to bring students a set of three different dance classes this semester. A class full of eager students learned the basics of the torso-driven belly dance and learned that their hips don’t lie in a free one-hour class.
Stacy Strickland, 21, a fellow Knight studying Art Education, attended last week’s class not knowing much about belly dancing.
“I thought it was a lot of fun and new experience, I liked how the instructor went through it step by step. I felt like I had a good workout and was sweating at the end,” Strickland said.
Strickland went on to say that she will be attending the next class in October, which will focus on African Drum and Dance.
Instructor Melanie LaJoie, from A MAJI Temple Belly Dance Company, taught this class for students at UCF the past few years.
A former student of LaJoie, working with the Multicultural Student Center at the time, expressed interest in Lajoie instructing the cultural dance series.
LaJoie has always received a great turn out and expressed her excitement for continuing to teach UCF students.
“I love my relationship with UCF, you guys are so much fun!” LaJoie said.
LaJoie went on to say she felt she accomplished the goal of teaching students about a different culture and that they can take these moves and feel comfortable at any Middle Eastern event.
“The annual dance series give students an opportunity to learn and observe multiple cultural dances from across the world and as well as being active and staying fit,” said Brice Yates, Coordinator at the Multicultural Student Center.
The dance series is only offered during the Fall semester. Students still have two more opportunities to participate and learn more in the upcoming classes, featuring African Drum and Dance which will be held on, Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 7 p.m.
They can continue honing their cross-cultural dance skills at the last of the dance series, Masala Bhangra, a traditional Indian dance held on, Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
All classes are free admission to students with a UCF I.D.
