Royal Purple

Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Natalie DiChiria Dance Instructor Jill Cody (front left) dances with senior Holly Whitehead during the April 30 Jazz Ensemble Swing Dance fundraiser. Behind them, seniors Michelle Brunner (left) and Jamaal Abushhiwa (right) follow their lead.

The Down Under in the University Center was host to the 2008 Jazz Ensemble Swing Dance fundraiser, and with a dance instructor, a live band and a packed dance floor, no one seemed to leave disappointed.

The International Association of Jazz Education, a group that promotes jazz music and jazz education around the country, held a fundraiser last Wednesday in the Down Under to continue their goal to keep jazz a prominent college music and style.

With bodies haphazardly crashing into each other and almost constant laughter, a group of about 30 students were instructed in the style of swing dance by UW-Whitewater alumna Jill Cody on the dance floor of the Down Under.

With some of the attendees dressed up in elaborate 1920s-style costumes or wearing current styles, everyone seemed to bring their own style to what they were being taught.

With laughing students crashing into one another and the occasional shoe flying across the floor, everyone paid close attention to the lessons they were being given while managing to thoroughly enjoy themselves on the floor. With various moves such as "The Cha-Cha" and "The Push-Pull," students were taught to dance to the jazz music that would be played for them soon.

Cody, the evening's instructor, is an alumna of the UW-Whitewater 2007 class and an individualized dance major. She used to teach dance at the Park and Rec center in town and was happy to come back to teach the students that evening.

"I really do love doing this," Cody said. "It's just fun to come out and teach again and to see everyone enjoying themselves."

Freshman Abby Martin was there on behalf of the IAJE and the schools music program, but was happy to take part in the dance lessons.

"It really was a lot of fun," Martin said after dancing. "It's not like dancing today; it's far more exuberant and quick. It's a lot of fun."

Professor Matt Sintchak, a music teacher here at Whitewater and the leader of the Jazz Ensemble here on campus was walking through the crowd and watching the dancing with everyone else. "We're using the swing dance lesson to promote the jazz band this evening," Sintchak said. "Jazz is a form of music that isn't really considered or thought about anymore, and the IAJE is here to keep jazz in the limelight."

The IAJE raised $170 that night, all of which will be used towards furthering jazz education.

The band took the stage an hour after the lessons had begun and started in with one lively number after the next. Students who had been dancing for an hour already instantly hit the floor to try out their new moves. With everyone following the beat, changing partners and having an absolute ball, the band themselves were sure to keep the mood going well into the evening.

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