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Finding Your Groove: Tap and Belly Dancing Classes at MHCC
Finding Your Groove: Tap and Belly Dancing Classes at MHCC
Dance, as an art form, has the power to connect people from different backgrounds through movement. At Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), students have the opportunity to bond with community members while learning tap and belly dancing.
The heart of these community education dance classes is instructor Kim Miller.
Miller, MHCC’s community education dance instructor, started her journey into the world of dance in an offbeat way.
“I got into dance because I was terrible at sports, always the last one picked on the team, the one that ‘ruined the game for everybody,’” said Miller.
She found her love for dance at the University of Iowa when she took classes to fulfill her physical education requirements. That’s when the magic happened.
“When I was tap dancing, I can remember very, very clearly, it dawned on me: I am making music with my feet, and I can control it,” she shares.
It was this moment that sparked Miller’s passion for tap dance. She went on to study its history and attend tap dance festivals to learn from the best.
For belly dancing, Miller’s inspiration came from watching dancer Marie Wilkes, whose stage name is Maleeha.
“I was totally mesmerized by her, and I wanted to learn how to move the way she was moving because it was just beautiful and mysterious,” Miller said.
When teaching, Miller follows a structured approach, with warmups, drills, and choreography. For tap dance, the focus on technique helps students build a deep understanding of timing and musicality. In contrast, belly dance classes include core workouts and full-body movements.
Miller’s classes cater to a range of students, from beginners to advanced dancers. In tap dance, there are separate classes for beginners and continuing students, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Belly dance classes also adjust for students with varying levels of experience. Miller strives to meet her students where they’re at so that everyone can learn and grow.
Miller wants her students to ask questions and talk to her if they’re not getting something. She wants to create a class that helps students feel at ease, no matter their skill level.
Miller has witnessed many success stories among her students including one older woman who struggled with balance issues at first. Through Miller’s teaching, the student’s balance improved greatly over the course of three terms. The student’s progress not only enhanced her tap-dancing skills but also improved her daily life. Another one of Miller’s students started taking her tap dance classes when he was just 15 years old and is now studying at a respected dance school.
In another instance, a student who had never belly danced before fell so in love with it that she joined the Portland Bellydance Guild and ended up losing weight and having more energy as a result of the classes. Both tap and belly dancing offer many physical and mental health benefits. These dance forms can enhance memory, build strength, and promote fitness.
In the case of tap dance, the complex patterns and steps aid in memory retention. The need to balance on one leg or control specific foot movements helps build strength and balance. Further, the rhythmic nature of tap dance engages the mind and body at the same time. Belly dancing offers a holistic physical experience. It targets core muscles and flexibility, promoting spinal health. Regular engagement in belly dancing can improve fitness and help manage weight.
Many students have had very positive remarks for Miller’s classes:
“Kim is amazing. She’s so supportive and kind, as well as an amazing dancer. I really enjoy her classes and her as a person. She’s so patient.”
“I like how the instructor tells her experience of when she was learning tap. Makes everybody feel more comfortable knowing at one time she was just like us.”
“Kim is an excellent teacher. She is so upbeat and makes learning fun.”
For those thinking about joining one of these dance classes, Miller’s advice is simple yet powerful
“Try it. You might discover something that enriches your life on multiple levels.”
The classes are welcoming to students of all backgrounds and skill levels, ensuring that everyone can embark on a dance journey that may very well change their lives.
Check out all of MHCC’s community education classes online.
