Feeling the Rhythm

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.”

At Trinity University, dance is a part of everyday life. Whether it’s on the way to class, in a dorm room, or at a party on Friday night, Trinity students know how to bust a move and let loose. No one knows this better than the University’s four dance organizations: the Swing Bums, the Loon-E Crew hip-hop dance troupe, the Prowlers, and the Latin Dance Society. Each of these groups boasts its own unique style, but all offer students the opportunity to be themselves and exercise a passion for music and dance.

Swing Bums president Jogen Atone ’16, a neuroscience major from Palos Verdes, Calif., loves to dance swing because he enjoys listening to jazz and meeting new friends through dance. He says he has made connections all across San Antonio since joining Swing Bums as a first-year.

“With Swing Bums, you interact with the community a lot because there are so many swing events in San Antonio,” Atone says. “Swing dancing is carefree and a lot of fun.”

The Swing Bums hold socials in the Fiesta Room on Wednesdays from 8 to 9 p.m. and hold two one-hour lessons from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fridays before socials. Student instructors welcome peers of all experience levels, even those who have not danced before.

Similar to Swing Bums, the Latin Dance Society does not require new members to have prior dance experience, only a curiosity about Latin dance and music. Anthony ‘Scuba’ Sanchez ’17 serves as president of the Latin Dance Society, an organization he co-founded with Christian Tovar-Vargas ’15 because the men did not see a representation of Latin dance at Trinity. Sanchez says the club gives members a chance to “express who we are through dance” and that they are a loud and silly family full of energy.

“If you take the time to go out to the club’s events, you take the time to be a part of our family,” Sanchez says. “Most importantly, we want everyone to enjoy themselves and have this outlet through dance.”

Sanchez, a history major from Sinton, Texas, says the Latin Dance Society holds a weekly social dance in the Lightner Tea Room on Fridays from 8 to 11:30 p.m. The first hour offers beginner lessons to new members. The Latin Dance Society performs in Monster Mash, Síclovía, and Momentum.

Briahna Yarberry ’17, a neuroscience major from Friendswood, Texas, is a Loon-E Crew co-captain who also views dance as a channel of self-expression. A dancer since the age of three, Yarberry is grateful she can continue this pastime at Trinity.

“All of our members have their own styles and dance backgrounds, but what’s great is that with Loon-E Crew you can be completely yourself,” Yarberry says. “It’s a welcoming environment.”

Entrance to Loon-E Crew is based on auditions held during the fall and spring semesters. Loon-E Crew performs in shows such as Momentum, Mocha Life, Diwali, Mabuhay, Lunar New Year, and more. Fellow co-captain Rodney Kennedy ’16, a computer science major from Houston, says his favorite part of Loon-E is the “diversity of people’s backgrounds” and how “everyone is able to add a little piece of their own personal experience to the crew.” Loon-E Crew prides itself on being a hip-hop crew that blends a wide variety of dance styles, from members trained in ballet to jazz to others with cheerleading experience.

Cheryl Gray ’16, a psychology and business major from Sugar Land, Texas, also arrived at Trinity planning to “keep dance in her life.” As a co-captain of the Prowlers, a drill team that specializes in contemporary and jazz genres, Gray says she has formed lifelong friendships with her Prowlers teammates.

“I honestly could not imagine what college would have been like without the team,” Gray says. “Prowlers has provided me with a means of continuing a hobby, a means of making friends, and a means of connecting with others in the Trinity community.”

Gray encourages anyone with an interest in dance to audition for the Prowlers, with tryouts held each semester. The Prowlers dance at a variety of events, including Mabuhay, Monster Mash, Diwali, sport events, and more.

No matter what type of dance you enjoy, there is a group waiting for you at Trinity. Each club offers a supportive environment to express a passion for dance and form lasting friendships. So, if dance is a favorite pastime, don’t waste a day, as Nietzsche says, and get out there on the floor.