Author: Julie Xu
Occidental’s Folk Dance Troupe boasts a wide variety of people from all walks of life. It consists of students, faculty, alums, family and friends of current Occidental students and staff.
While the troupe’s youngest member is 17 years old, the oldest is 83. The diversity in age is just one way in which the troupe is bringing alumni and current students together to create one of Occidental’s most eclectic and representative clubs.
Students who partake in the troupe speak positively about the mixed age group. “Occidental has this manufactured atmosphere of having everyone on campus be about four years apart in age,” Lauren Gunderson (junior) said. “Having the chance to interact with older alumni in a school club is very refreshing.”
Like many other Occidental clubs, the Folk Dance Troupe meets every week. For two and a half hours each Sunday afternoon, the troupe’s members practice European folk dances based on traditional ethnic or historical styles from varying cultures like Russian, Hungarian, Greek, Israeli, African, Irish and Appalachian.
Former Occidental Physics professor Stu Elliott and Math professor Alan Knoerr are current members. Knoerr is responsible for the folk dance class that meets every Thursday.
The creation of this dance troupe was inspired by one professor’s passion for dance. “The heart and soul of the troupe is Betchen Barber, [former] professor of Linguistics and Archaeology at Occidental,” alumni dance troupe member Julie EbyMcKenzie ’83 said.
Barber founded the troupe in 1971 and has overseen it ever since. While she knows the dances to a tee, she also knows the stories behind each dance, such as how dance styles migrated from one region to another and what the different costumes signify.
Barber’s passion for historical attire benefits the troupe immensely. “She is probably the world expert in ancient textiles and has collected many original costume pieces that are used by the troupe for performance,” EbyMcKenzie said.
Gunderson considers the costumes one of the best parts about being on the troupe. “I love being able to channel the inner child in me and dress up like a princess,” she said. “Part of what makes wearing the costumes so great is the fact that Dr. Barber is able to give the background and the history on each of the pieces.”
Although the Folk Dance Troupe at Occidental does not perform competitively, it does put on an annual dance in February. “Our pleasure in dancing isn’t really based on performance but rather on the enjoyment of dancing together,” EbyMcKenzie said.
Still, the troupe works hard to ensure that its spring performance reflects all the practice and dedication of its members. “For many years [we] have performed one or two choreographed waltzes at [Viennese] Waltz Night, with music provided by the Occidental-Caltech Orchestra,” Elliott said. “Our shows originally consisted of folk dances from selected ethnic areas, but for many years now our performances have been based on specific folk tales, with dances appropriate to the ethnic source of the folk tale.”
Before the performance begins, the troupe holds waltz clinics in the lead up so people can learn basic waltz steps.
The student portion of the troupe also performs in the annual Occidental Dance Performance.
The troupe is currently busy with plans for the spring. “We are in the midst of our ramp up to waltz night so we are teaching new people for only part of our Sunday rehearsal,” EbyMcKenzie said.
Usually, practice runs from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Dance Studio.
“You do not have to have any dance experience,” EbyMcKenzie said. “We are low-key and love to teach newbies how to use their two left feet.”
Come out and support the Folk Dance Troupe as they team with the Occidental-Caltech Orchestra on Feb. 12 for Waltz Night in the Cooler.
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