By Katy Coakley
From the rhythms of hip-hop to the steps of Reggaeton, students now have the fun opportunity to learn how to dance from Dominican’s new club, Star Formation.
This club is open to anyone interested in learning different types of dances as well as making new friends. Six members are currently enrolled in the club.
Professional and nonprofessional dancers performed a dance style of their choice for the club’s auditions, which ran from Jan. 18 to 19 in the Mangus Arts Center.
President Brittania Pioquinto explained how she and vice president Gold Odedele were both influenced by their dance upbringings to create Star Formation.
“Gold and I were both dancers before, but we did not see an open dance club [at Dominican],” said Pioquinto. “We also thought that there were other people who missed dancing too. Gold was then telling me that people wanted a [dance] space, so we decided to reach out to some people, and it was made possible. We are a free, open, and based group.”
Pioquinto talked about how she hopes to find the right resources to make the club succeed.
“This is my first time being a president in any club,” she said. “I want to manage and learn with others to become a good president. I am struggling, but I am reaching out to people to make connections.”
Odedele said she thinks it is important to create a safe space for all dancers to feel welcomed.
“You do not have to be a good dancer because you are learning just as much as we are learning from you,” she said. “It is a space where everyone can bring something like ideas. We can interact and have fun too. If anyone is interested, they can join.”
Odedele stated the officers are currently unaware of what specific songs will be used for the club but said that the main music genres will range from Afropop to K-pop.
“I am from Nigeria, so I play Afropop on my piano,” Odedele said. “In case the dancers get invited to African parties, they can hop onto the dance floor and show their moves.”
She also discussed how the frequent use of social media could motivate people to participate in the club.
“I feel like a lot of people have TikTok, but they see others doing these steps and think it is hard to do it,” said Odedele. “However, I can help break it down to show how easy it is.”
Secretary Eddie Rivera Burgos said he was unfamiliar with dance, but explained how joining a hip-hop course made him want to participate in the club.
“I did not know how to dance,” Rivera Burgos said. “I was a little nervous and skeptical about it, but it turned out well.”
Rivera Burgos also explained how taking advantage of Star Formation will give dancers many opportunities to discover new things.
“I am always wanting to learn,” he said. “With the creation of this club, it is a nice way to let others know that is totally fine to not know how to dance.”
A date for the first club meeting will be released soon. For more updates on Star Formation, please visit EngageDU.
