Monday, August 31, 2026

Muskegon Community College’s renewed Dance Program is gaining momentum this fall with two special masterclasses designed to give students and community members opportunities to learn from accomplished artists while exploring the connections between dance, culture, history and storytelling.

Presented by the MCC Dance Program and Center for Experiential Learning, the two masterclasses will feature Indigenous American Dance with Bimose-giizhigang-gaabawi-ikwe (Erica Dollaway) on Sept. 17 and The Life and Work of Katherine Dunham with Sukie Keita on Sept. 29.

“With the return of dance to MCC this year, the program is back in 2026 and is gaining real momentum,” said MCC Dance Instructor, Jovita Weibel. “These masterclasses are exactly the kind of opportunities we want to bring to our students. They allow them to learn directly from artists, experience different approaches to movement and discover how dance connects us to culture, history and community.”

Indigenous American Dance

The first masterclass, Indigenous American Dance with Bimose-giizhigang-gaabawi-ikwe (Erica Dollaway), will take place Thursday, Sept. 17, from 2:20 to 3:45 p.m. in the MCC Dance Studio, Room 2021.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore Indigenous American dance and gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural traditions and (meaning behind movement.) the important role dancing and drumming play to this day.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and clean socks or be barefoot. A shawl or small blanket should also be brought to the Sept. 17 masterclass. No previous dance experience is required.

The Life and Work of Katherine Dunham

The second masterclass, The Life and Work of Katherine Dunham with Sukie Keita, will take place Thursday, Sept. 29, from 2:20 to 3:45 p.m. in the MCC Dance Studio, Room 2021.

The masterclass will introduce participants to the life, work and influence of Katherine Dunham, (seen in picture to the upper right,) a pioneering dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and educator whose work had a profound impact on American dance.

Both masterclasses are open to participants with no previous dance experience required. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing and clean socks or be barefoot.

Spots are limited, and registration is encouraged. Register at https://forms.gle/WjdMv8Kd5dKiYazu9.

For more information, contact Jovita Weibel at jovita.weibel@muskegoncc.edu.