By Eva Armendariz
BYU Folk dancers are leaping into Fall Semester with World of Dance performances.
Along with multiple dance groups in the Department of Dance, the Folk Dance performance team is scheduled to perform during the World of Dance hosted on BYU campus and at the Salt Lake City LDS Conference Center.
BYU folk dancing is a multi-cultural group performing traditional dances from multiple countries, including the Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and others.
'I grew up clogging,' said Melanie Merchant, a 19-year-old World Dance minor and folk dancer from Gilbert, Ariz. 'I tried out for the dance team with a bunch of friends and ended up getting on. Now it''s become one of my favorite things.'
Folk dancing is a multi-level group, based on dance skill. The 32-member Folk Dance Performing Arts Company is to perform in the World of Dance.
'It''s absolutely inspiring to me,' said Merchant, recalling past PAC performances, 'being able to see what you can become if you work hard enough.'
Josh Park, a 22-year-old business management major from Medford, Ore., has been folk dancing for the past year. He is a member of the Performing Arts Company and is scheduled to dance in the World of Dance.
'A huge variety of amazing dances from around the world,' said Park, when asked what viewers can expect at the performances. 'A lot of people are often times caught off guard. I had never seen some of the intense clogging that is done in folk dance.'
Interested in learning fancy footwork? 'Rec Night' is at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Richards Building. Designed to help aspiring dancers join the folk dance teams, lessons are given and food is provided for dancers and friends to come to have fun.
'It''s really flexible,' Park said. 'The lower teams especially are not time consuming, yet you get to take part in some of the bigger events. They''re generally really fun, and you don''t have to put in a lot of commitment.'
The folk dance team is to perform numerous times through out Fall Semester, including a religious symposium, a dance devotional, Homecoming events and Christmas Around the World.
Dance and dance-teaching majors are offered in the Department of Dance. Although not a specific major, World of Dance classes now count toward the dance major.
'The new BA accommodates folk dancers in counting toward the degree,' said J''Lene Willis, Department of Dance secretary. 'It gives a better chance to focus on one style or to really have a broader experience and try different things, and they all count toward their degree.'
The Department of Dance, a branch of the Health and Human Performances Department, is home to multiple dance venues, including ballet, ballroom, the Cougarettes, modern dance and world dance.