Native American tribes have a saying: “Only in dance does the body and spirit connect.” The dance program at Whitman has provided many students the opportunity to discover this connection, while at the same time participating in a fun activity.

Eight years ago, the Whitman dance studio was built with the help and support of Tom and Tanye Cronin. Since then, the program has grown much stronger along with student
involvement.

Both Idalee Hutson-Fish and Vicki Lloid, the adjunct instructors in the department, have been dancing the majority of their lives.

They have decided to continue their involvement in the craft by teaching students in ballet and modern dance at beginning, intermediate and advanced
levels.

“I love working with Whitman students. They are brilliant and love to learn. It is a rewarding and stimulating teaching process,” said ballet instructor Hutson-Fish.

“I needed to dance, and teaching seemed like a good way to do it,” said modern dance instructor Lloid.

Currently, Lloid is preparing a piece for the winter performance on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4 and 5.

“This group has been great. I am able to work with them interactively. A lot of what’s going on is their input. We’ve been able to figure it out together. Some of the students have very little dance experience and some have been dancing for a long time,” said Lloid. “They’re all terrific
performers.”

The production, titled “TREE-SPEAK”, is based on a painting by Josie Gray and titled by Tess Gallagher.

Choreographing dances provides a creative outlet for Lloid, who said that she loves working with poems and stories. She related dance choreography to writing short stories in their similar thought-process and design.

Students who dance at Whitman do so because they love it. The dance program does not offer a major or minor for the time being because neither Hutson-Fish nor Lloid can teach educational courses, so students participate for the opportunity of something fun to do.

“Dance is a wonderful mode of physical expression for all of the joyful sensations I feel inside my body. It has helped me develop my natural talent for pelvic thrusting,” said senior James Most.

Most took his first dance class when he came to Whitman because he thought it sounded like fun. He plans to continue dancing every day, just for the enjoyment of the art.
Next semester, a visiting professor will teach two courses on dance similar to what would be required for a dance major or minor. In order for the program to have major or minor status, the college has to find a full-time professor. The idea is both exciting and scary for those involved in dance.

“Right now students participate for the love of the art. It’s a different feeling than having to take a class because it’s required for a major. The dance program has been referred to as a dangling appendage, so maybe it could become a foot. This might change what we already have, but at the same time it is part of the natural process of improving the dance department” said Hutson-Fish.

For the time being the dance program continues to be open to all students who want to try dancing and discover the relief that student first-year Rhya Millici loves about dance.

“Dancing is amazing. I haven’t met a person who has been negatively affected from dance. It releases happy things in my brain,” said Millici.

Students who dance at Whitman don’t dance to become professional, but for the satisfaction that they get out of the activity.

“I dance out of my own enjoyment and fulfillment,” said senior Kelli Kuhlman. “Dance offers balance in my life. Its hard work at times, but I get a lot out of it.”

“I’m happiest when I’m moving. Dance is dynamic and about constant creation. Becoming more integrated in my body helps me lead a healthier life,” said senior Kate Greenberg.

“Dancing really is from the inside out. You walk back into the rigorous academic world feeling refreshed,” said Hutson-Fish.

Senior Ozzie Angel has been involved in primarily female-dominated activities, such as gymnastics, cheerleading and dancing for most of his life.

When he first came to Whitman, he had to adjust to the number of males in the dance program.
Angel is in the process of starting an all-male dance team to encourage more participation in dance by the other sex, as well as choreographing dances for performances.

“I love seeing dancers improve and raise the standards. By demanding so much, it eliminates the thoughts of ‘I’m horrible at this.’ I love seeing dancers improve: from struggling with their bodies and the motion to successfully executing the choreography. When I finally see it all come together it has a mystical component,” said Angel. “But what I love the most is learning from them.”