Dance auditions electrify students

By Michael A. Umaña | Staff Writer |

Body tingling, heart racing, body filled with energy, one’s mind begins exploding with ideas, the rush of adrenaline shooting through every inch of the body.

Those are the feelings dancers such as Raven Taylor say they feel this every time they perform their dance routines.

The Santos Manuel Student Union’s Osher Adult Re-Entry Center (OARC) here at CSUSB is hosting auditions for a dance showcase that will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 6-8 p.m. in the SMSU Event Center.

Chris Johnson, OARC lead student assistant, explained the purpose behind the showcase here and why it has been held for three consecutive years.

Johnson said that the event is meant to, “showcase the talent that CSUSB students have of dancing.”

The event allows for students to be exposed to different arts, cultures, dances, routines and ways of life they would not be normally exposed to.

Students are urged to come to the dance showcase. Every year around 300 students attend.

Students can look forward to many different dances, with influences from all around the world as well as influenced by other dances themselves.

Such dances that are witnessed at the event include jazz, a Caribbean and Latin influenced dance, lyrical, a combination of classical ballet with the flexibility of jazz, hip-hop and break dance, (both that originate here in the United States) and even Tap, which is a twist from jazz.

Students who attend will witness the talents that other student dancers possess as well as having the opportunity to win free prizes that will be given out throughout the event.

Taylor, a hip-hop dancer who has been dancing for 13 years, is one of the performers dancing at the event.

Taylor has danced for organizations such as “Bre Dance Studio,” “Elevate” and “University Dance Company” here at CSUSB.

When asked why she dances, Taylor explains that she dances and continues dancing because, “It’s my therapy, it’s what I love, and what I want to do for the rest of my life. I turn into a different person, something inside takes over. It’s my escape.”

Taylor, who has hopes of becoming a backup dancer and travel the world, will be performing with other talented dancers in a group routine for the event.

As of now the event will have seven groups performing as well as one solo performer. Any student who would like the opportunity to perform in the showcase is encouraged to attend the next auditions that will take place on Feb. 21 from 6-9 p.m. in the SMSU Theater.

All types of styles are welcome.

Johnson asks that anyone wishing to audition is encouraged to bring their own music and the performance piece they wish to showcase for the event.

If any student has any question regarding the auditions or the event itself, they are urged to contact Chris

Johnson at the OARC in room SMSU 111 Mon. through Thur. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or call at (909) 537-5253.