So You Think You Can Dance?

Alli Williams
Photo of Jazz Dance class at TMCC

Dayna DeFilippis, Dance, Health & Human Movement Instructor, leads students through choreography in Jazz Dance class at TMCC.

The art of dance is not as simple as listening to a beat and moving to music. Everyone has the ability to dance, but not everyone can be a skilled dancer. Professional dancers are trained in movement, form, proper technique and theory. TMCC offers a Dance Program through the Visual and Performing Arts Department for students seeking a career in professional dance.

“The Dance Program at TMCC provides exceptional training for students interested in studying dance as a career path, or even those who are curious about trying it out,” said Dayna DeFilippis, Dance, Health & Human Movement Instructor at TMCC. “My goal is to make the Dance Program more standardized in the region so that those seeking a career in dance will know to come to TMCC to progress their training.”

Students at TMCC can receive an Associate of Fine Arts Degree with a Dance emphasis in just two years of coursework. The Dance Program works closely with other Fine Arts programs, like Theater, in order to cross train students with a well-rounded skill set.

There are four different styles of dance classes offered, including ballet, modern dance, jazz and tap. There are also two theory courses provided through the Dance Program, which can be used as a Diversity credit and Fine Arts credit that can transfer to both UNR and UNLV. The courses are in Dance Appreciation and Improv & Composition.

Each Spring, the Dance Program hosts a dance concert at the TMCC Nell J. Redfield Foundation Performing Arts Center (RPAC). This Spring, the concert titled What’s in a Name? An Evening of Concert Dance will run April, 26—29, 2019. Dancers of all levels and styles are invited to audition for the Spring Dance Concert on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 from 5:30—7:30 p.m., in RDMT 240 on the Dandini Campus. The Dance Program will also be seeking student workers to assist with stage production. For more information about auditions, please contact Dayna DeFilippis.

The Dance Program at TMCC is teamed with the American College Dance Association (ACDA), an organization that has been supporting Dance in higher education for over 40 years. The ACDA supports collegiate student dancers through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals. This year is the first year the TMCC Dance Program has been affiliated with ACDA, and dance students from TMCC will be attending their first conference in San Jose in the Spring Semester.

Enrollment for Spring 2019 opens on Nov. 13 for continuing students, and Nov. 16 for new students to register for classes. Students can register for beginner level dance classes with no prerequisites and no prior experience with dance. For more information on TMCC’s Dance Program, please email Dayna DeFilippis or contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 775-673-7291.