2008 Woodie Awards
Two-stepping their way to college credit
Susan Benitez
Issue date: 2/26/03 Section: Campus Life
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How would you like to have fun while learning something new?
Robert Sowell teaches two sections of "Beginning Dance Techniques" at Yuba College as PE 1.42R. One class is held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and the other is held on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. The classes provide an opportunity for dancers and would-be dancers of all skill levels to practice a wide sampling of basic steps that can be used in various social dance club environments, including ballroom, Country & Western, and Latino.
Having fun while learning something new is Sowell's philosophy for his students. "If I can help people learn to love dance because it's fun, that's my goal and my reward." Even though he has been teaching dance since 1960 and at Yuba College since 1978, Sowell said, "This is not like a job to me. I will keep teaching as long as it's fun."
"I've taken lessons at other places that teach ballroom dance. This is social dance, and it's nice to see folks come here, be able to learn quickly, and be able to go out and dance right away," said Bill Weliky, who has attended Sowell's classes for three years.
The Yuba College dance course has wide appeal in the local community. Sowell has taught students here who were as young as 12 or as old as 80, with a little bit of everything in between also represented.
"Some high school kids come over here for their PE unit, and it's a challenge for them, but they'd rather take this than some of the other PE choices available to them at the high school," said Sowell.
"This is a good class for young and old alike, for all shapes and sizes. It's a class that you can use for a lifetime, and it's a chance for people to make new friends," said student Nancy Carranza, who is currently enjoying her third semester in the class.
Sowell's curriculum typically covers the basics of Foxtrot, Waltz, East Coast Swing, Tango, Cha-Cha, Night Club Two Step, Hustle, Polka, Salsa, Rhumba, Merengue, and Samba each semester, although class pace and content may vary somewhat according to the group's abilities.
Robert Sowell teaches two sections of "Beginning Dance Techniques" at Yuba College as PE 1.42R. One class is held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and the other is held on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. The classes provide an opportunity for dancers and would-be dancers of all skill levels to practice a wide sampling of basic steps that can be used in various social dance club environments, including ballroom, Country & Western, and Latino.
Having fun while learning something new is Sowell's philosophy for his students. "If I can help people learn to love dance because it's fun, that's my goal and my reward." Even though he has been teaching dance since 1960 and at Yuba College since 1978, Sowell said, "This is not like a job to me. I will keep teaching as long as it's fun."
"I've taken lessons at other places that teach ballroom dance. This is social dance, and it's nice to see folks come here, be able to learn quickly, and be able to go out and dance right away," said Bill Weliky, who has attended Sowell's classes for three years.
The Yuba College dance course has wide appeal in the local community. Sowell has taught students here who were as young as 12 or as old as 80, with a little bit of everything in between also represented.
"Some high school kids come over here for their PE unit, and it's a challenge for them, but they'd rather take this than some of the other PE choices available to them at the high school," said Sowell.
"This is a good class for young and old alike, for all shapes and sizes. It's a class that you can use for a lifetime, and it's a chance for people to make new friends," said student Nancy Carranza, who is currently enjoying her third semester in the class.
Sowell's curriculum typically covers the basics of Foxtrot, Waltz, East Coast Swing, Tango, Cha-Cha, Night Club Two Step, Hustle, Polka, Salsa, Rhumba, Merengue, and Samba each semester, although class pace and content may vary somewhat according to the group's abilities.