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[Group Members] [Our Performing Groups]
Who we are:
The NMU International Dancers is a registered student association at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette Michigan. Membership is open to students, faculty and community members interested in exploring cultures around the world through music and dance. We are both a social and a performing group. Not all members are interested in performing, but we are all interested in learning more about different cultures through their music and dance.
We range in age from 14 to near 70. In experience, we range from 2 months to near 30 years of folk dancing.
Objectives:
Our basic interests are fun and physical and emotional fitness. Folk dancing provides the opportunity to move to a wide variety of musical rhythms and forms. Some of our dances are very slow and simple. Other dances are highly aerobic and intricate. Our emphasis is on fun, with a secondary emphasis on keeping the dances "ethnically pure", that is, preserving the dances as done in their village of origin.
Cost:
There is no charge for dancing on campus. As a student organization we have free use of University Center facilities when they are available. We ask a donation* for dancing at Presque Isle park in the summers; the city charges us rent for the space.
However, donations are always welcome, and tax deductible on both federal and Michigan income taxes. Checks should be made out to Northern Michigan University. Donations are used for basic operating expenses (such as facility rental, transportation, postage, ...) and for helping our student members attend workshops.
Members of the Group
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Antara is our Asian specialist. A former classical Indian dancer, Antara has been with our group for about four years.
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Bill is the chauffeur, announcer and general handyman of the group. Bill dances a mean tango and likes just about any kind of dancing.
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Bob likes most types of dancing, but is really good at the more energetic styles. He is the group's intellectual.
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Cathy is the group's medical support. Cathy is a nurse and we're glad to have her around keeping us healthy. Her second career is as an artist, doing some excellent water colors. Cathy enjoys just about all types of dances.
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Cecelia (C) is the lead female performer of the group. C specializes in Middle Eastern, Gypsy and Polynesian dancing, but she can (and usually does) dance anything.
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Don is our accordion player. Don, a fairly new dancer, has mastered complicated patterns like the two-step and is moving on to czardas and Yemenite steps. Don's favorite dance style is Argentine tango.
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Erica is our member in absentia.
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Evan is our ballroom specialist. He teaches ballroom dancing and is great at all different dance styles.
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Jim C. is our biker guy. In addition, he is our favorite Irish jigger. Luckily, Jim doesn't try to both drive his Harley and dance the jig at the same time.
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Jim G. is a new dancer, learning folk and ballroom at the same time. Jim is also a biker.
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Mackenzie graduated and has left the area. After spending a year in Minnesota dancing with the people at Tapestry she got married and moved back to Michigan. Unfortunately, she is in the lower peninsula.
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Marge is the artistic director of the performance groups and main teacher of the NMU International Dancers. Marge has been dancing since around 1975. She formerly danced with the Mahealani Dance Troupe in Detroit and specializes in Polynesian. But, like the other dancers, she dances to any rhythm.
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Mary is our biker chick. Mary likes most types of dancing, and excels at Ballroom dancing. She's a terrific cook, too.
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Melissa is the group's musician. A flutist, Melissa understands the complex rhythms so common in folk music. She is also the person we all depend on to have the items we forgot, whether it's bobby pins (she carries both blond and brunette), safety pins, kolo belts or kerchiefs.
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Nancy C. is a second-year dancer. She works hard on learning the dances and will be attending her first workshop this summer.
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Nancy G. is another new dancer. She has also taken up square dancing.
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Nichelle is our newest member. Nichelle attends one of the local public schools and is learning very quickly.
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Shanti has been with the group for a few years. She is a natural dancer who picks up styling easily, even though she didn't have any dance experience when she joined the group.
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Vanessa is another ballroom enthusiast, but loves everything to do with dancing.
| Adult Group | Children's International Dance Theatre | Swing Kids |
The NMU International Dancers Performing Group
Needs New Members
International Dance Group Is Seeking New Members
The Northern Michigan University International Dancers is currently seeking new performers. Dancers and musicians are needed. Previous experience is not necessary. Dance basics and full dances will be taught. There is no charge for lessons, but performers must be willing to commit themselves to one or two evenings of practice per week.
The group currently performs throughout the Marquette area and members participate in workshops in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. The group has a repertoire of more than 200 performance dances (with ethnic costumes), mostly from the Balkan area (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, etc.). The group also performs a few dances from other parts of the world, including South America, Africa, Asia and North America.
Performers from high school age through adult are welcome to join. Auditions will be held in July and August. For information about joining the group, or to schedule a performance, contact Marge or Bill Sklar.
New!! Children's International Dance Theater
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Press Release
International Children's Dance Performance Group Forming in Marquette
A dance performance group for children and adolescents, ages 7 through high school is forming in Marquette. The ensemble will learn dances from around the world and perform them at area events. A limited number of scholarships is available due to a grant from the NMU International Dance Club, which will sponsor the new ensemble. Experience is not required, but members of the ensemble must commit to three to six hours of practice and/or performance each week. Parents will be asked to supply shoes and minimal essentials and to see that children arrive on time to practice sessions. For information, contact Marge msklar@nmu.edu
Our Popular Swing Dancers Are Available For Performances and/or Teaching New or Old-Style Swing Dancing
This group of students has entertained the NMU Community for the last four years. They have perfected some of the older East Coast Swing styling and have developed their own moves. Their high-energy demonstrations are sure to leave you with your foot tapping and your desire to dance rekindled.
Marge msklar@nmu.edu can set up a performance, demo or teaching session.