A good time doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Jumbodance, a program collaboratively run by the dance department and students, is currently offering free dance classes in a variety of genres.
The program was created three years ago by alum Allie Bohm (LA '07) and Alice Trexler, the director of the Tufts dance program. It was originally called EDN! (for Everybody Dance Now!), but this year, the group decided to change its name to more explicitly reference dancing.
Jumbodance offers free dance classes for a range of skill levels. The classes, which include hip-hop, tango, ballet and tap to name a few, are taught by student volunteers who must audition and interview before becoming instructors. The times and locations for classes can be found online on TuftsLife.com.
"It's an open-ended program not burdened by a lot of policies," Trexler said. "We just kind of feel our way through it and serve the community."
Trexler says the program appeals to students too shy or busy to take a formal class and to students interested in volunteering and learning to teach. The program exposes many students to dance who may not have been interested before.
"In promoting this as an extracurricular and a leadership opportunity, I think it's allowed some people to discover that they can really function in a dance studio," Trexler said.
For most students, the biggest draw of Jumbodance is its low-key atmosphere and high entertainment value. "It's something fun to do," said senior Christine D'Aguillo, the student director of Jumbodance. "TDC is so much fun, but if you're a serious dancer, it's not exactly what you're looking for. These classes allow you to do some serious dancing without making a huge commitment."
In addition to being free, Jumbodance classes don't require registration or regular attendance. The classes are only as serious as students take them. The one exception is Jumbodance's newly formed tap ensemble, for which dancers must audition and attend weekly rehearsals.
D'Aguillo has one hope for Jumbodance's future. "I would definitely like to see more people and a wider variety of people," she said. "These are really great classes."
