Meinecke succeeds in dance with help
Juliana D'Amico
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Arts
Elizabeth Meinecke '07 dances along to music when she gets ready for work in the morning. Working in Washington, D.C. as news producer of "Human Events" can be busy, but she has managed to continue her ballet training under the guidance of dance faculty of Hillsdale College.
Typically, dancers don't come to Hillsdale to pursue a career in dance. The college has never offered a dance major or minor, though students may list participation in a dance program, Professor of Dance Corinne Imberski said.
"We really don't offer that route for our students," Imberski said.
Compared to other dance and dance education programs, Hillsdale's dance curriculum lacks the competitive edge needed to gear students for professions in dance, Imberski said.
Ballet lessons here attract students with prior training and those who want to try something new.
Still, the dancing opportunities here helped balance out Meinecke's academics while in college.
"Dance was something that I've loved doing pretty much since I could walk, and it's not something you really want to let go of after you graduate," Meinecke said.
Junior Lauren Gribble said she enjoys how Hillsdale ballet professors challenge her. They continue the ballet training she has had since she was 8 years old.
"I appreciate the attitude of the professors," Gribble said. "The atmosphere is very relaxed because they understand that we have other academic commitments. They recognize we are dancing for the fun of it and not to become professional dancers. I love dancing, and I think having a physical activity is a great stress reliever."
Meinecke, who studied dance extensively before college, said although ballet lessons meet once a week as opposed to several days a week, she enjoyed her ballet training.
"[Imberski is] able to keep that alive and give you some great training even if that can't be there eight hours a day," Meinecke said. "She's able to help you grow."
Typically, dancers don't come to Hillsdale to pursue a career in dance. The college has never offered a dance major or minor, though students may list participation in a dance program, Professor of Dance Corinne Imberski said.
"We really don't offer that route for our students," Imberski said.
Compared to other dance and dance education programs, Hillsdale's dance curriculum lacks the competitive edge needed to gear students for professions in dance, Imberski said.
Ballet lessons here attract students with prior training and those who want to try something new.
Still, the dancing opportunities here helped balance out Meinecke's academics while in college.
"Dance was something that I've loved doing pretty much since I could walk, and it's not something you really want to let go of after you graduate," Meinecke said.
Junior Lauren Gribble said she enjoys how Hillsdale ballet professors challenge her. They continue the ballet training she has had since she was 8 years old.
"I appreciate the attitude of the professors," Gribble said. "The atmosphere is very relaxed because they understand that we have other academic commitments. They recognize we are dancing for the fun of it and not to become professional dancers. I love dancing, and I think having a physical activity is a great stress reliever."
Meinecke, who studied dance extensively before college, said although ballet lessons meet once a week as opposed to several days a week, she enjoyed her ballet training.
"[Imberski is] able to keep that alive and give you some great training even if that can't be there eight hours a day," Meinecke said. "She's able to help you grow."
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