Learn dance from the masters at NVCC starting Sept. 25

WATERBURY (Sept. 11, 2006) — Naugatuck Valley Community College is offering four kinds of “master dance” classes this fall, giving students the opportunity to learn techniques in hip hop, belly dancing, Latin jazz funk hip hop, and Broadway jazz from instructors who have mastered their genres.

NVCC is offering four kinds of master dance classes this fall, including hip hop classes taught by Rodney Moore and a Latin jazz funk hip hop taught by Angela Bellemare.

Two hip hop classes will be taught by Rodney Moore, a member of Toxic Dancers dance company and a student at Central Connecticut State University. The classes will be offered on two Mondays — Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 — from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Cost is $5 each for students and $10 each for the general public.

There will be belly dancing classes offered on three Fridays — Oct. 6, Oct. 13, and Oct. 20 — from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. They will be taught by a dancer who goes only by her first name, Katie. A student of Middle Eastern dance since 1999, Katie has studied with national and international masters in belly dance. Cost for each class $10 for students and $15 for the general public.

There will be one class in “Latin jazz funk hip hop” offered on Friday, Nov. 3, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will be taught by Angela Bellemare, who has been dancing for 20 years and now teaches dance full time, specializing in jazz funk, Latin jazz funk and other genres. A basic knowledge of jazz dance is required. Cost is $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

And there will be one class called “Broadway Jazz: Pippin” offered on Friday, Nov. 10, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It will be taught by Jim Clark, a veteran of the Broadway stage who has appeared in “Funny Girl” and “ West Side Story.” Cost is $15 for students and $20 for the general public.

Every class will be held in the Fine Arts Center, Room A404. Students must be 15 years or older to enroll. Registration is required for all master dance classes, which are sponsored by NVCC’s student dance ensemble, The Terpsichoreans. To register, contact Elena Rusnak at (203) 575-8179 or erusnak@nvcc.commnet.edu. Discounts are available when registering for more than one class.

Located off exit 18 on Interstate 84, NVCC’s associate degree offerings include a degree in fine arts with a dance option. The college serves 35 communities across western Connecticut from Litchfield to Waterbury to Seymour to Southbury and Danbury.