The Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company

As it turned out, it was all fun and no panic at this particular disco—unless you count Alison Cumming (PO ’06) in her not-strictly-seventies band-inspired getup. She was far from the only attendee to go all out for the occasion: Pomona freshman Samuel Chase Cunningham, in a pink shirt, sunglasses, a fantastic yellow jacket and pants to match, struck me as the incarnation of Saturday Night Fever.

"Wow," I said, "you must be really hot in those clo--"

"I don’t wanna talk about it," Sam muttered.

He may not have wanted to talk, but he sure wanted to dance—as did almost everyone else in Edmunds Ballroom on Saturday, February 23rd, with CCBDC’s Disco Party in full swing. The event included a funky Hustle lesson, followed by a night of games, contests, crazy seventies-style costumes, and, of course, dancing.

"I think it was amazing," said Jeffrey Lin (PO ’11), who gave hosting a whirl for the first time at the Disco Party. "I was so happy that a bunch of people showed up that weren’t part of the dance team, right? And like, they were really into it, they were all dressed up and ... once we got the Hustle going, they were in it. It was amazing."

The crazy, everybody-in attitude was a big part of making this event the favorite party of the year among many team members. Of course, it may have been anything-goes on the dance floor, but CCBDC still put on some flashy formation performances: Tour team heated it up midway through the night with their Disco routine, which Pomona senior and Disco dancer Julie Siloti said was her favorite part of the evening, and Regionals offered up a flash-forward to the next decade with their 80s medley.

"I think the success was that we were able to reach so many people," Jeffrey concluded. "We reached a lot of different age groups ... we had a lot of alumni come back. We even had a couple of adults who did some swing, and that was really cool."

The 64th Scripps Ceramics Annual kicked off on Saturday, January 26th, with three routines by the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company—a lively group Salsa, a macho Cha Cha, and a smooth Lindy. These pieces featured team members of varying skill levels and performance experience, but all of them managed the same impressive feat: nailing all their choreography in just one week’s time.

"We sort of worked out the choreography bit by bit, you know, listening to the music, finding out what would work where ... and, uh, then it was just a smattering of practices before we had to perform," said Nate Miller (PO ’08), adding, "I think, all things considered, it went quite well."

Freshman Aaron Brown, also of Pomona, was similarly enthused about the group’s efforts. "You know, we came together in a week, we were practicing outside of school and put a lot of time into it, and managed to put together a pretty impressive performance in a challenging space."

The event was widely attended by Claremont students, community members, internationally renowned artists, and ballroom company members who came to cheer on their teammates despite the evening rain.

Katie Belsky (SC ’08), dancing in the Cha Cha, admitted that the weather did create some difficulties for the dancers. However, she went on to say that she was pleased with the performance and enjoyed the process of rehearsing with fellow teammates.

"I really love CCBDC ... it’s really just such a great way for people to come and do something that they all love."

About Auditions

Auditions for new members are held at the start of each semester. The date and time are announced to all students in the nine ballroom PE classes, on the Company website (http://claremontballroom.org/) and through various 5C distribution sources.

Students are asked to dance basic Cha Cha for Campus Team auditions. In heats of about four those auditioning dance Cha Cha with an experienced Company member. Students are judged on enthusiasm, knowledge of basic steps, and basic technique.

All interested in auditioning can learn Cha Cha in any of the PE classes, at the scheduled review session, or from Company members.

A Cha Cha review session is held within a week prior to each semester’s auditions. The date and time or this review session are announced to all students in the nine ballroom PE classes, on the Company website (http://claremontballroom.org/), and through various 5C distributions sources.

Suggested Bronze level Cha Cha steps to demonstrate:

• Basic
• New Yorker
• Hand to Hand
• Spot Turn
• Progressive Basics
• Chase
• Cross-Body Lead

Men are asked to wear nice pants and collared shirt. Women should wear nice pants or a skirt and top, or a dress. Be sure to wear appropriate “bloomers” under skirts, as most skirts flare up when dancing. Please wear shoes that you can dance in. Flip-flops and shoes which do not stay on the feet should be avoided, but dance shoes are not necessary.

Students with prior ballroom dance experience who are interested in auditioning for the Tour Team should contact the Director (director@claremontballroom.org) prior to auditions.

Organization of the Company

The company is divided into two teams: Campus team and Tour team. Campus team is comprised of the starting dancers on team and traditionally performs for on-campus events. Every semester auditions are held for Campus team members to move up to Tour team, which hosts the more advanced dancers. Each team is made up of about 40 members, 20 leads and 20 follows.

Once on the Company students can audition to participate in competitive routines; one or two of these practice and compete each semester.. There are one or two of these practicing and competing each semester. The Nationals Routine competes at the collegiate national competition in Ohio in November. Our 6-time championship record at Nationals is one of the CCBDC's proudest achievements. In fall 2007, the Company expanded and created a second competition routine called the Regionals Routine. This routine does not compete at nationals but does intensive work and competes alongside the Nationals Routine in regional competitions in the Spring, in addition to performing on and off campus.

Dancers who are not interested in or placed in competition routines will have numerous opportunities to be in performance routines, focusing more on the performing aspects of dance. These routines will be flashier (but less technical) and use lifts, drops, and other techniques that aren't available in competition routines, as well as other elements such as acting or character roles.

Though it is not required in any way, many dancers choose to participate in individual events in local competitions. The CCBDC encourages everyone to engage in individual competition. It's tons of fun and a really great way to improve. There are events for every level and style, and the CCBDC offers resources to help students who are interested in individual competition, including weekly technique lessons and relationships with local studios who offer individual and small group instruction.

Major Events

The Company hosts numerous community and performance events throughout the year. Social and Salsa Nights are held most Fridays, and large dance parties are held twice a semester. Typically, two routines perform at each of these parties. The Company also performs at numerous community events and private functions throughout the year.

In the fall the Company hosts the Claremont Dance Festival, a 3 day event which includes Dancing with the Claremont Stars, two large scale dance parties and two full days of dance classes and workshops. About 10 routines are featured this weekend and all Company members participate in planning, running and performing at this large event.

Each spring, in late April/early May the Company presents its annual Ballroom Dance Concert. This 1.5-2 hour show features the full Company and showcases a year of routines and work. Campus Team members typically perform in about 2 routines, and Tour Team members in about 4-5.

Responsibilities and Expectations of Company Members

Time Commitment: The Campus Team rehearses with the Director two hours per week—Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11pm—and should expect a few hours of outside practice each month. The Tour Team rehearses with the Director six hours per week—Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7-9am—and should expect an hour or more of outside practice each week.

Technique Classes: All Company members are expected to enroll and participate in at least one of the nine ballroom PE classes each semester. Special exceptions can be granted by the Director.

Team Dues: Dues are $51 for the fall semester and $36 for the spring semester. Dues primarily go towards costume purchases, supplies, and special events. Although this is mandatory, finances should not stop anyone from participating, so if this is a real issue, please speak with the Director or the President.

Communication: All Company members are expected to use the Company website and to check their email regularly to remain informed about rehearsal times, events and other important information.

Service: Campus Team members are asked to put in at least seven hours of service over the course of the semester; Tour Team members are expected to do at least ten (over at least three different events). Service includes several basic functions that keep team running, and many of them are a lot of fun. You can get service hours by teaching, whether to team members, Claremont students, students at other colleges, or students at local schools; acting as a host at a party; ushering for the CCBDC at Big Bridges functions; manning an info booth or table at a CCBDC function; organizing a CCBDC event; helping one of the Director's classes; flyering; helping set up or clean up an event; or anything else that the Director and the leadership find necessary for the success of CCBDC efforts. There are ample opportunities to fit everyone’s interests, talents and schedules.

Shoes: All Company members must own a pair of dance shoes. Details will be given to Company members. Please wait to buy shoes until advised by the Director as to the type and style necessary for specific routines, practice, or competitions. Shoes range from $60 up, depending on the type and quality.

Team Apparel: All company members must purchase a team jacket ($25-30). Additional apparel, such as shirts, is usually optional and the cost often subsidized by the Company.

Finances should not stop anyone from participating. If finances are a real issue, please speak with the Director or the President. The Company can provide work opportunities or scholarships to students as needed.

Questions? Contact us!

Paul Roach – Director: director@claremontballroom.org
Kelly Hewitt – Senior President: president@claremontballroom.org

CCBDC celebrated Halloween in style with its Masquerade Ball on Friday, November 2nd. The ballroom was decorated for the occasion with spooky skeletons and several pumpkins delicately carved with dancers—adding a touch that made this Halloween party uniquely ballroom.

Our own Paul Roach started off the night in style—dressed to the nines in his tail suit—leading a whole ballroom of costumed dancers in an American Tango lesson. Three hours of social dancing followed, with dances ranging from Lindy to Cha-Cha and Salsa to Foxtrot, with a couple Paso Dobles, Polkas and Viennese Waltzes thrown in for good measure. Lest the lesson at the start of the evening go to waste, quite a few Tangos were interspersed through the course of the evening.

Fresh from their stellar first performances at the opening of the LA Live art exhibit, the Campus Team wowed the huge crowd with their Tango to Gotan Project’s "Una Musica Brutal." CCBDC then welcomed Mood Swing to the ballroom, where they regaled the audience (one of the largest CCBDC has ever seen for a performance in Edmunds) with their dulcet tones, singing a cappella renditions of "Walk on the Wild Side" and the big band classic, "In the Mood." The performance concluded with Tour Team’s Samba to Ozomatli’s "Can’t Stop," a spectacular end that truly brought down the house.

Nate Miller, a Senior IR Major at Pomona College, is new to Campus Team this semester. Up until now he’s kept himself busy off the dance floor, spending the fall of his Junior year in Freiburg, Germany, an experience he describes as “really, pretty awesome.”

Though he took his first ballroom class in his Sophomore year—Bronze Latin—it was not until the spring of his Junior year that he began to think more about dance, or the possibility of joining the CCBDC. We have Evan Pardo, Nate’s longtime friend, to thank for this. Evan’s constant raving about what a blast it was to be on team kindled Nate’s inspiration to try out this past September.

Now that he’s joined team, Nate too, has been having a blast. He even described it as "awesome!" without any pushing or prodding on my part. He’s been having an especially fun time getting to know all the people on team:

"I had no idea: the people are really cool; kinda crazy, but really cool," he said - a description that immediately hits home for anyone who has spent time with the dance team. Nate has even been drawn in to the team’s new procrastination tool: the forums. "Reading the different posts on the discussion threads - hilarious!"

When asked about the tango routine he’s a part of with Campus Team, Nate describes it as "incredible. The tango is hottt, with multiple Ts!" He adds that everyone in the routine is "really fun to hang out with."

Beyond all this, Nate is enjoying the improvement he has already made, and looking forward to getting even better. He commented that "the atmosphere on team is really great not only for getting better, but for feeling good about what you know. Its really positive." When asked to boil it all down, Nate said he really wants to "learn a lot more dance."

Well put, Nate.

There’s a new sheriff in town. Or, at least, a new teacher in the ballroom.

With the start of the new school year, Paul Roach has stepped into the position of Ballroom Director. Having risen from the post of CCBDC President he held last spring, Paul had some definite ideas about what he wanted to accomplish in the ballroom and beyond it.

Paul:

Coming in I knew that we had a phenomenal program--I’ve never encountered a program that so many people have such a passion for, and I think that if we direct that enthusiasm in the right direction, we will accomplish some amazing things. Not only will we continue to be a world-class performance and competitive ensemble, but we can use that to give back to and improve the community in ways that have not previously been explored. Whether it’s helping start dance programs at other colleges, teaching young children to dance, giving Claremont Colleges students places to dance, or providing Claremont Colleges students with financial and social access to social and competitive dancing, I know this program has a lot to offer. And that’s just off the top of my head.

This week we introduce a new feature to the Claremont Ballroom Webspace - the Dancer of the Week feature. Each week we'll feature a different dancer, and hopefully get around most of the company by year end. This week we're meeting Kelly Hewitt, a senior at Scripps College and the 2007-2008 Senior President.

“So, Kelly, when did you start dancing with Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company (CCBDC)?” I ask her as we step out of the ballroom after our rigorous two-hour rehearsal on Friday morning. She looks impressively pulled together and energetic, but, then again, she’s a pro—“I started classes first semester of my freshman year, and then joined Campus team the next semester,” she replies modestly.

Since then, Kelly has moved her way up in the company contributing exstensive amounts of time, effort, quality dancing, and stellar ideas. She joined Tour team in her sophomore year, and her junior year became not only Secretary and Dancing with the Claremont Stars Coordinator, but also performed in the legendary Bond medley, helping CCBDC cement its 5th National Collegiate Formation Championship.

All of her accomplishments and dedication are added to the fact that now, in her senior year, Kelly has taken on the role of Senior President of CCBDC. But while her dancing accomplishments have been vital to her success, perhaps even more crucial to Presidential role is her personable attitude and cheery sense of humor – she’s never without a smile or a friendly word.
Which is why it is easy to say that the company missed Kelly dearly this past semester while she studied abroad in Seville, Spain. A dancer at heart, she added some Flamenco to her repertoire of Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet during her time there. With all of her experience, it’s no wonder that, along with her dual major of Politics and Public Policy at Scripps, she is also a Dance minor.

To say that Kelly Hewitt is very involved at the Claremont Colleges would be an understatement—she is not only the President of CCBDC, but also the Head Manager of the Scripps Store, a student member of the Board of Trustees, the student coordinator for Campus Communities United for Justice, and staff for the Scripps College Summer Academy.

Somehow, with all of her responsibilities, she still finds time to be wholeheartedly enthusiastic about ballroom dance. “I’m most excited for the Claremont Dance Festival,” coming up in late November, “because it will be a great opportunity to meet other teams—and it will be just like a four-day dance party!”

And despite her already overwhelming commitment to the CCBDC, Kelly’s eagerness to dance for an entire four days is one of the reasons the CCBDC is so glad to have her back as President. And as she dashes off to conduct another meeting, the certain purpose in her step makes it seem obvious that she’s the right dancer for the job.