Sonya Tayeh, a judge and choreographer for the popular dance reality show "So You Think You Can Dance," will be hosting dancing master classes at the Marion Community School for the Arts (CSA).There are two levels of classes - intermediate and expert - but according to dance director Brandy Revennaugh, none of the classes are for beginners."Yeah, I would definitely recommend a good amount of dancing experience," Revennaugh said. "I would say at least two years (experience) would be good."The intermediate class is at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, and there is a combined intermediate and advanced class Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.There is also an advanced class Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., but according to CSA operations manager Shelly Inskeep, that class is already full.
"Ten spots are open for the intermediate class, and six are open for the Saturday class," Inskeep said. "Anyone interested should get a spot soon."The class is $45, or $70 to attend both classes.Tayeh is from Detroit and has been teaching various master classes in the Midwest for years. This is only her second class she's had at CSA, but her connection goes back further with Revennaugh and her own dance studio."Everyone in the dance world kind of knows each other," Revennaugh said. "So we've been friends for some time now. She's been teaching students of mine for a while, and she's been here for the last four years. In fact, I just had a student graduate who had been working with Sonya since she was nine.
"According to Revennaugh, the class will cover a wide breadth of dancing exercises, including cardio stretching, flexibility exercises and then a combo routine. The point of the class is to provide some warm-ups before jumping into some more challenging dance routines."For people into dance, Somnya is really, really bright," Revennaugh said. "She really pushes people and challenges them to do things they wouldn't normally think to do on their own."Revennaugh says it wouldn't be unusual for the class to last longer than the scheduled time.
