For the first time ever Moorpark College is offering a hip hop class where you can learn about the culture, dance, and history of it. Moorpark College offers different kinds of dance classes such as ballet, jazz, and more, but they have never had Hip Hop. The Hip Hop instructor Wendi Baity, is very encouraging, positive and very experienced.
"I enjoy teaching hip hop because it's a freedom, a freedom of expression," explained Wendi Baity, the hip hop dance teacher. She graduated from Cal State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelors in Dance. Dancing has been apart of Baity's life for 19 years but has been teaching for 16. She is currently teaching dance at Dance Forum and Moorpark College, and thinks Hip Hop dance was a much needed course at Moorpark College since the Hip Hop culture is national and international.
Students who take this class, you'll learn more than just how to dance Hip Hop, they learn the history, choreography, and culture of it as well. They become a better hip hop dancer on the inside and out as they develop technique, an appreciation and understanding of Hip Hop, and skills through exploring.
The class started in the spring semester, and will continue in the fall. There was a good turnout for a first time class. You can feel the energy when you watch the students practice. But the class is not all dance, there's about a half an hour of lecture.
Students learn the four elements of Hip Hop: DJaying, Graffiti, Emceeing, and Break Dancing. If you really want to know and learn about the hip hop culture this class is the way to go.
Baity doesn't waste time when she's teaching. She makes sure everyone know each step and move so that everyone is on the same timing. It is intense but fun at the same time.
Trying to expose the students to different genres through her choreography is one of Baity's goals. She never puts down other types of dancing; Baity herself has done many other genres such as Modern, Tap, Balet, Salsa, African, and Jazz. "Dance Majors in college or universities should be required to take Hip Hop," explained Baity. "Especially since Hip Hop is ever growing and highly used in television and media."