By Maurisa Weld | Observer Contributor
Ashlaw, student/s dancing
Did you know you can “break, pop and lock” and have it count towards a degree? If you always wanted to bust a move, Street Dance/ Hip-Hop is now offered as an accredited elective with no prior dance experience required.
Choreographer and instructor Brittany Ashlaw has been dancing since she was two years old and has been teaching dance arts for 10 years. Ashlaw said teaching at the college is different than at studios because she can incorporate discussion and dance history into the movement lessons.
While students learn dance moves, they also learn where the foundations of the movements originated from.
Students learn “breaking” skills (in motion) and “freezing” (standing still), across-the-floor moves, and a two-minute choreographed routine. “The best part is when my students, some who have little-to-no dance experience, achieve goals within the course that they never thought possible on day one of the semester,” Ashlaw said.
“Going into challenging exercises with positive energy and attitude greatly affects your outcome and I find those moments when a student conquers a new freeze or intricate movement to be the most rewarding in my class.”
Jharel Jerez, graduate of Methuen High School, said the dance course is his favorite class. “I just like being able to move,” he said. Jerez is also pleased that the course has taught him how to do a “Baby Freeze,” which is a beginner’s floor position using your hands for balance and alternating a knee on your left elbow.
Marissa Cartier, Monty Tech 2018 graduate, also said Ashlaw’s course has been her favorite so far in her college career. Cartier is one of few to have prior dance experience. Though she has been dancing since the age of two, she said that she is challenged in every class.
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