Attempting to enter Whitman’s Dance Department can be seen as a terrifying prospect, but it is not the only place to dance on campus. The different dance clubs are a great way to meet new people and learn new skills, all without ever having to audition or register for a class.
For the first time in many years, Whitman’s Dance Department has not cast everyone for its annual dance show. The dance show gives students a chance to dance and perform while working with Whitman faculty members or guest choreographers. It is one of the few chances students have at Whitman to express themselves through dance, but on-campus clubs provide an alternate forum for self-expression through dance. The various dance clubs and events on campus offer students the same opportunities without the stress of auditions and the fear of being cut.
The Tap Dance Club was started in the fall of 2023, run by seniors Stella Coomes and Paige Yanny. The two were introduced by a mutual friend who initially came up with the idea for the club. Eventually, Coomes and Yanny would become the co-founders and co-presidents of the Tap Dance Club, with both having years of tap dancing experience.
The Tap Dance Club meets every Monday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Sherwood Athletic Center room 106 and is open to both students and faculty. It is very beginner friendly, and the Tap Dance Club provides tap shoes to those who do not have any.
When asked about why people should join Tap Dance Club, Coomes emphasized the unique skill set that tap dance helps dancers build.
“It is a very different technique from other types of dance. Tap helps build rhythm skills, which is so helpful for dancers of all sorts, musicians, if you like singing in your shower,” Coomes said, “Tap is a percussive instrument; it really helps with rhythm development and it doesn’t take the same training, strength, and commitment that advancing in other types of dance can ask [for].”
The Tap Dance Club is not the only dance club meeting regularly in Sherwood Athletic Center—the Irish Dance Club is a new addition to the Whitman dance community created this fall. Their meetings are every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sophomore Olivia Wiebe is the Founder and President of the club, hoping to share her love of Irish dance with the Whitman community while prioritizing its communal aspect.
“There’s no stress. There’s no expectation to be the best Irish dancer ever. If you just come and try your best, that’s all I ask of you. I just hope you come and have a good time and meet new people,” Wiebe said.
The co-president of Drip Drop, the Hip-Hop dance club is Chloé Williams. Williams is also the co-president and co-founder of Drip, its audition-based counterpart. Williams was first introduced to Drip Drop by the former co-president Clarisse Yee, while working on the student performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Williams worked with Yee in continuing the leadership for Drip Drop and creating Drip, a dance team she hopes will be able to compete soon.
Williams wants to create an environment where both dancers and choreographers are welcome to collaborate.
“Getting involved with dance on campus is such a good way to find a community. I find that most of the dancers at Whitman are really sweet, silly, non-judgemental people,” Williams said, “It’s not just the art of dancing and the practice, it is also the community you find.”
When speaking of community, it is important to note the dance event that connects students and Walla Walla community members — contra dance. Contra dances are typically held on the first Wednesday of the month and are put on by the Folk Music and Dance Club.
Tessa Shwartz, junior and current President of the Folk Music and Dance Club, was first introduced to contra dance through the events held here on campus.
“There’s a real culture and community here that every so often comes here [to Whitman], and we get to hang out with them. It’s a lot of community members who are so passionate about Contra dancing and the students who are trying something new for the first time,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz is also a part of Big Joe, the Bluegrass group that performs at Contra dance. The live music and fun atmosphere creates an exciting environment that accepts everyone.
“Contra dancing is really fun. It is very beginner friendly. The point of it is to move your body and meet people and have fun,” Schwartz said.
No matter what dance club or event you attend, the student-run dance community here at Whitman aims to welcome students with varying levels of experience. Dance clubs at Whitman offer plenty of opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills, all in an unique environment.
Editor’s Note: Chloé Williams is a News Reporter for the Wire.
