Green River’s Dance Program Is Back

Green River’s dance program is back with a strong instructor to lead it. Tesse George is the new dance instructor and is taking charge for the revived dance program.

It is George’s first quarter at the college, however, she has been teaching for 20 years. She has previously taught at private studios and specialized in the dance styles of ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz.

George has been professionally training ever since the age of four. Growing up in Yakima, she learned the art of ballet. George got a full ride scholarship to Cornish College of the Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree there.

Due to the past dance instructor retiring, George was asked to revive the dance program when the time was right.

“We’re really excited to get the program up and running and then to evolve it into a much more substantial program,” George said. George plans to help the dance program grow and allow it to continue in the future.

George teaches a Monday ballet technique class and a Wednesday alternative technique class at the college. Alternative technique teaches the jazz, contemporary, musical theater and Broadway styles of dance as well as partnering, choreography and improv.

“My favorite dance style to teach is ballet,” said George, “I love that art form. It’s beautiful; it takes discipline, but still has so much artistry in it.”

However, her favorite style to dance is contemporary. “It’s open and free and you can express yourself through movements,” George said.

Being a part of the dance program and classes offered on Campus can be beneficial to the students that sign up. For instance, maintaining a routine of physical activity, which can help with endurance and flexibility.

It also benefits the mind as it allows students to express themselves confidently and accomplish things they didn’t realize they were capable of.  Dance helps with memorization and mental endurance when repeating a routine.

Many students look forward to this class and the future of the dance program. Nikki Bleakmore, 18, was excited to hear that dance classes were going to be offered. Dancing since age three, Bleakmore was excited to take the opportunity of dance classes being offered.

“Now that I saw they were offering it [dance classes], I jumped on the opportunity and I was thinking that I have to take this right now,” said Bleakmore.

Not only did the opportunity spark Bleakmore’s interest but also the environment  in which she would be learning to dance. “I thought it would be interesting to take dance in a college setting rather than a dance studio setting,” Bleakmore said.

Overall, the dance program is very beneficial and the new instructor makes the class fun and exciting to learn. “I love that she’s really open about making mistakes and that it’s okay to make mistakes to learn,” Bleakmore said.

The dance classes are open to all people whether they have danced their whole life or never before. Many people with many different backgrounds and levels of experience join.

George hopes for a successful future for the dance program and that she can help develop the foundation for that. George also hopes that her students gain many experiences from these classes.

“I really hope that they first and foremost have fun. Dance is meant for you to enjoy yourself and learn things about yourself,” George said.