After being put on hold in the spring, Club Dance has been practicing virtually. Photo from Club Dance Instagram (pre-COVID).
Although the University of Rhode Island’s Club Dance Team can’t compete or practice in-person like usual, they are still training virtually to prepare for their future season.
Founded in spring 2018, the club dance team is a rapidly-growing organization. Members are able to join this club through a laid back tryout process, as the only requirement to join is to have a basic understanding of dance. President Emily Mitko and Vice President Jillian Rudolph lead the team and organize tryouts, events and practices.
The club is at a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Mitko and the other members are eager to get back into dance. Normally during this time, the dance team would be meeting twice a week, working on technique and choreography. Once in-person practices are permitted, the team will prepare for events such as RhodyTHON, the eXposure competition and a showcase at the end of each semester for friends and family. But for now, the team is using this off time to stay active and flexible.
After interest in dance peaked post-quarantine, an increase to 19 active members in the club made in-person meetings impractical with state and university gathering limits in place. However, dancing in a dorm room or bedroom is a very difficult task, so the Zoom dance calls have been limited to stretching routines.
“Flexibility is so important, especially having a break like this then having to go back,” Mitko said. “If stretching was not continued throughout the year, there would be so many injuries, and we want to prevent that.”
During a normal season, the club dance team includes a variety of styles including, but not limited to, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet and tap. In addition to the members having the freedom to choose their dances, they also have many opportunities to lead classes as well as choreograph dances.
Mitko had a hip injury before entering college, and joined the club dance team to ease back into the craft while still having fun. Both Mitko and Rudolph joined this club to pursue their passion of dance as well as being part of a smaller, easy-going team in college.
“[The team] is amazing,” Mitko said. “Hopefully this is all over soon so we can start practicing again.”
Dance club member Cassidy Evans loves her experience on the team and has had many opportunities to continue her passion for dance.
“I’ve had a really great experience,” Evans said. “I’ve had the chance to meet some nice [students] and to choreograph for the team, which I look forward to continuing once we can practice again.”