YHS Dance Club to host workshop, concert

The Yuma High School dance program wants to spread a little Saturday Night Fever, and whether you move like John Travolta or not they will teach happy feet how to get in a groove.

The YHS Performing Dance Club is hosting its 10th annual workshop and concert today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Snider Auditorium. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for boys and girls ages 5 and up. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Workshop tickets are $25, or just $20 (includes lunch) for dance students or anyone affiliated with a studio. Styles covered range from classical ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz and hip hop. The purpose is to bring all dancers in the community together to showcase the wealth of local artistry, said Tami White, dance instructor.

"What I really tried to do is highlight Yuma dance talent."

White is bringing in Yuma dancers who have gone on to professional or academic careers to share their experience to polish an amateur's skills with a professional flair. Some of her special teaching guests include Yuma natives such as Monica Ramirez, now based in Los Angeles who appeared in several hip hop videos, and Brian Wong, now dancing at the University of Arizona.

The concert will feature Yuma City Breakers as well as So Explicit Dance Krew. Tickets to the concert cost $5 and can be purchased on site. Proceeds will benefit the YHS dance program to fund future production, scholarships, workshops and field trips to see Broadway-produced shows in Los Angeles, White said.

"The audience will see some great dance numbers. Every studio is bringing their best dancers. It's going to be a fun evening of dance and they'll see all different styles."

Senior Julie Koepp, 17, is president of the YHS Performing Dance Club. Koepp said the invitational is a fantastic way to bring the diaspora of the dance community back into the fold.

"Dance gives you a way to express yourself through movement. As long as dancers have drive and passion and drive there will always be an audience for dance."

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.