The music began. Students stood in amazement and watched as third-year Architecture student Christian Ryan and third-year College student Kimberly Myers demonstrated the techniques that will be taught in their prep step class. With flips, twirls and dips, the two look like they are performing a well-rehearsed, choreographed routine. "Oohs" and "ahs" can be heard all around the room.
"Prep step has all of the acrobatic moves of swing dancing, but none of the dance steps," said fourth-year College student Andy Strelka, who also is a prep step instructor.
Throughout Ryan and Myers' Wednesday night class, their students laughed constantly, and even if they had no idea how to imitate what their instructors had just shown, they seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. They asked their students to do everything from simple moves like turns to the fearful "Death Drop," a spin that ends in a deep drop to the floor. The 20 pairs of eyes that focused on Ryan and Myers betrayed their inhibitions. "Will we be able to do all that?"
After eight weeksof the prep step short course, put on by University Programs Council, every member of the class will be attempting exactly what these students witnessed at the beginning of this first class.
Third-year College students Natalie Shonka and Kris Powell are partners in this semester's prep step course, but said they had different reasons for taking it.
"I had learned some of it before, but not in a class, so I didn't know the exact parts," Shonka said. "I needed more expertise."
Shonka wanted to be able to see how an experienced female danced the prep step style instead of relying on the modest understanding she had. Powell, though, had taken the course before but was taking it again in hopes of improving his prep step ability.
Yet Shonka and Powell were not a step ahead of most of the class, even though many had not taken the class before. No matter how much or how little skill students have when it comes to swing dancing, prep step is a course for anyone who wants to learn.
"It's a great social break from studying," said fourth-year Commerce student Natasha Vargo, who taught prep step her second and third year. "If you are looking for something low-key, exciting, and useful, you can leave knowing something that you didn't know before."
And for those who excel in mastering the style, there is the option of teaching the course next semester.
"The instructors pick a couple out of the class to come back and teach the next year," Vargo said.
Looking good in class is the key to being chosen to be an instructor the next semester.
"They're always looking for new instructors," Strelka said. "If you want to become one, just come to the class and show off, try to be the best."
Ryan was asked to teach the class after taking the course his first year, but he said he was not sure that he wanted to start right away. He ended up teaching prep step over the summer and then to friends at parties.
"If I'm teaching my friends, I might as well teach the short course," Ryan said.
In his prep step class, Ryan and Myers not only instruct, but also said they try to make everyone feel comfortable and make sure that the students enjoy the class. By opening up with introductions, everyone has the opportunity to meet each other and get acquainted. They hope that by the end of the course, not only will each couple leave with a newfound knowledge of prep step, but also with a few new friends.
Is prep step becoming a tradition here at the University?
"I think U.Va. wants to make a tradition out of anything," Strelka said. "Why not prep step?"
Even first-year students, new to the University, have heard good things about the course.
"A lot of people that I've talked to have taken it and enjoyed it," first-year College student Christina Danko said about the prep step course.
Danko said that she would like to take the class because, "that way, after graduation, I can be part of a U.Va. tradition."
Although registration for short courses this semester is closed, prep step is a popular short course that promises to return next semester. No matter what reason students may have for taking the course, the fact is that they are taking it. More and more students are signing up every year, said third-year College student Ashley Anderson, the short courses chair of UPC.
"It is definitely the most popular dance course," Anderson said. "It rivals bartending, which always has the longest lines [during registration]. Prep step is the only short course that comes close to bartending."
Sixty-two people signed up for the prep step short course this year. There are five classes being taught and eight instructors teaching. Among those taking this class are students from every walk of University life. These students find common ground in their love of dancing and desire to learn this form.
"Prep step is a great thing to have in your toolbox that you can whip out at parties, date functions or anything," Strelka said.
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