Muskegon Community College Dance Department
The MCC Dance Department offers a variety of classes for people of all levels. The only prerequisite for 100 level courses is that you are ready to succeed. Dance courses are all about moving your body and participating in class. If that sounds like fun to you, register now for the next session of classes!
Annual productions of Studio on Stage provide an opportunity for dance and theater students to showcase class projects. Every two years Overbrook Dance Theater in Concert provides an opportunity for students to perform and/or choreograph dance pieces. Classes in this program can fulfill the arts/humanities and/or physical education requirements needed to earn an Associates Degree.
MCC’s Muskegon Dance Company Mission Statement
Muskegon Dance Company’s mission is to cultivate artists while in a college setting. To inspire audiences through a wide variety of choreographic works that will entertain as well as challenge. The dance company strongly believes in allowing for the inclusion of all those passionate about exploring movement and strives to instill an enthusiasm and desire to engage community.
Dance Classes
DNC 100 Modern Dance I
DNC 200 Modern Dance II
DNC 101 Modern Jazz Dance I
DNC 201 Modern Jazz Dance II
DNC 106 Social Dance I
DNC 206 Social Dance II
DNC 102 Ballet I
DNC 297F Tap I
DNC 138 Dance Choreography & Design
DNC 210 Repertory Dance Tour Company
Sarah C. Powell
In her first year of dance, at age three, Sarah declared her career choice to be a dance educator. She trained primarily in classical ballet for many years at Performing Arts Dance Academy in Buffalo, New York where she grew up. Sarah went on to study Dance and Education at Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she was a Distinguished Artist Award dancer. While at Hope, Sarah performed with InSync Dance Theatre under the direction of Ray Tadio, as well as Ariel Dance Theatre, now known as dANCEpROjECt, under the direction of Steven Iannacone. She also had several opportunities to perform in faculty-choreographed concerts, including works by Julio Rivera, Linda Graham, and Amanda Smith. She also interned at Peridance Center in New York City, while studying there through the GLCA program, learning from many of the great Contemporary and Ballet teachers that New York has to offer.
Sarah is in her third year teaching at Muskegon Community College and recently began MCC’s Muskegon Dance Company. She is excited to see the dancers in their debut performance. Currently, Sarah performs with DITA, (dance in the annex) as well as the Grand Rapids Dance Project, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has performed contemporary works in Trip the Light, Salmagundi, ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, all in Grand Rapids, as well as RAD Fest (Regional Alternative Dance Festival) held annually in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sarah also enjoys choreographing and will be setting a piece for this year’s Trip the Light performance using members of MCC’s Muskegon Dance Company. She has also been teaching Performing Arts at a Three Oaks Public School in Muskegon for five years. During her summers, Sarah enjoys teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She looks forward to getting her MFA in Dance in the future.
Cathy Gamby-Weideman
Cathy Gamby-Weideman began teaching for the MCC Dance Department in 1989. She has choreographed for, performed in and directed many of the college's dance concerts. The MCC Theater Program has utilized her choreography skills for a number of musicals as well as area high schools. Cathy has been teaching aerobics since 1982 and MCC's Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department quickly recruited her to teach aerobics for their department.
Cathy earned a bachelor's degree in dance with special emphasis in teaching from the University of California-Irvine in 1986 and while in California she performed, taught and attended many dance conventions and workshops. Her teaching experience includes work at Blue Lake Fine Arts School, Grand Valley State University, Muskegon High School, Grand Haven High School, Spring Lake High School, Nelson Elementary School, Christ Community Church and North Ottawa Council on Aging.
In 2010 she earned a Master's degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago. She has been working as a registered dance/movement therapist and recently began teaching for MCC's Psychology Department.
