A popular dance studio in Williams Lake is holding its first boys-only class.
Corinne Stromsten, owner of Dance In Common, has long wished to be able to offer and run this class, but because of traditionally low engagement numbers, sheB次元官网网址檚 mostly had interested boys dance with the girls, until now.
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Designed to expose boys to the dance world, the class covers a wide variety of genres and styles of dance from jazz, ballet and hip hop, as well as to choreography where theyB次元官网网址檒l learn how to create their own routines.
B次元官网网址淓ven though some of them are quite young, they all are very creative and they all have something to offer. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just me telling them what to do. ItB次元官网网址檚 a really good group of kids,B次元官网网址� Stromsten said.
B次元官网网址淲e currently have 11 males in the studio and in the boysB次元官网网址� program, we have seven to eight. The girls sometimes come early to watch the boys in the back window and are a little bit envious of their program.B次元官网网址�
Teaching dance to boys requires a different, more physical and direct approach, Stromsten said. Boys need to be shown clearly what to do, she said, and strict guidelines so they donB次元官网网址檛 run around and goof off the entire lesson.
Having a male mentor has helped, as is using music with heavier beats and deeper sounds.
B次元官网网址淥ne time, I made the mistake off putting on a very fairy-sounding type of music and they just didnB次元官网网址檛 respond the same way than when we have deep, heavy sounding music,B次元官网网址� Stromsten said, chuckling.
Changing the language she uses to teach has also been beneficial. SheB次元官网网址檚 used the Transformers movie franchise as a way to explain how to B次元官网网址渢ransformB次元官网网址� their bodies into various poses and movements.
B次元官网网址淚 think creative dance style and classical dance style is beneficial to their brain development. It teaches them discipline, self-control and that boys have just as much to offer in dance as girls.B次元官网网址�
Liam Gilroy is in Grade 7 and a mentor in the boysB次元官网网址� class.
B次元官网网址淚 like ballet, itB次元官网网址檚 very fun and it helps me improve my style. I like jazz as well,B次元官网网址� Gilroy said. B次元官网网址淒ance, itB次元官网网址檚 an art, right? ItB次元官网网址檚 something you can learn. I get to get out, I stay fit, I get to do what I love and I get to hang out with some of my friends.B次元官网网址�
Stromsten said Gilroy was visibly excited when boys started signing up for this class and others. She said it was probably hard for him being the only boy in a studio of girls.
She described him as patient and willing to take the time to help build the boys up. He maintains a friendship with each of them and leads by example.
B次元官网网址淚 find that itB次元官网网址檚 usually stereotyped: B次元官网网址極h, dancing is for girls.B次元官网网址� But itB次元官网网址檚 really not,B次元官网网址� Gilroy said.
B次元官网网址淚 watched the Nutcracker, which is one of the more famous dances, and those guys are amazing. They do spins, flips and everything. EveryoneB次元官网网址檚 like B次元官网网址楬a, ha, you dance,B次元官网网址� and everything, and IB次元官网网址檓 like: B次元官网网址榊eah. I love it!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
patrick.davies@wltribune.com
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