New UK Course Explores Confidence, Creativity Through Hip-Hop Dance

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 25, 2016) — This fall students will have the opportunity to explore hip-hop dance through a new course offered by the University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance in the College of Fine Arts. TAD 447-001: Hip Hop Dance, will be taught by new faculty member Anthony Alterio in the new Creative Arts Living Learning Program.

The class is multifaceted and covers a wide range of topics. "We will be covering different styles of hip-hop. From pop and locking, boogaloo, fresno, free-style to commercial, the goal will be not only for students to work on movement phrases, but to also gain a level of confidence to improv on their own," Alterio said.

When asked what he wanted students to take away from the course, Alterio shared an interesting philosophy. "We are going to move a lot, and fail a lot. Dance is about failure: failure to stand, failure to be vertical, failure to look cool. With this in mind, I hope people in this class fail so that they can learn new things about their own bodies, rhythms and the communities around them. If you succeed in all you do, how much are you really learning or pushing yourself?"

Alterio continued by adding that dance is rewarding for the mind, body and soul. By assisting students in gaining a better understanding of the techniques of hip-hop dance, Alterio aims to encourage confidence beyond just dance.

TAD 447 will be offered from 2-3:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday this fall and is open to all UK students, regardless of major or minor. And, for those who can't get in the popular course this August, the class will be offered again next spring.

Alterio earned his bachelor's degree from University of Colorado at Boulder and his master's degree from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan. He began teaching dance in 2007 and has worked with students ages 6 to 50. Alterio has experience choreographing numerous styles of dance including ballet, tap, lyrical, studio hip-hop, jazz and modern. 

The Department of Theatre and Dance at UK College of Fine Arts has played an active role in the performance scene in Central Kentucky for more than 100 years. Students in the program get hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from the renowned professional theatre and dance faculty. The liberal arts focus of their bachelor's degree program is coupled with ongoing career counseling to ensure a successful transition from campus to professional life.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu