Mountain Movers Dance Company offers creative outlet for students

The Mountain Movers Dance Company (MMDC), an ETSU dance organization, offers a creative outlet on campus for students of various backgrounds.

The MMDC is partnered with the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance and is led by Jennifer Kinter, adjunct instructor, and Cara Harker, professor and associate chair for the department.

The MMDC welcomes dancers of diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, and although many members of the company are ETSU students, alumni and faculty contribute to the group as well.

This semester, the MMDC is focused on the styles of contemporary and aerial dance. The classes take place weekly on Sundays where the company meets to practice their moves, learn choreography, and prepare for any upcoming performances. 

Although some students in the MMDC are studying dance, it is not a requirement to join.

Tatum Gross, a medical student at ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine, said she enjoys being able to participate in the Mountain Movers Dance Company because it allows her to still have a connection to dance while pursuing her degree. 

“For me, Mountain Movers has maintained my relationship with dance. I am a med student at Quillen and don’t always have time to go to regular dance classes, but Mountain Movers classes are on Sunday, so I am able to participate,” Gross stated.

For students who may not have much experience with dance or are not pursuing it professionally, Gross would still recommend giving the MMDC a try if you are interested.

“I definitely encourage students to participate, especially if they’re not able to take dance classes for credit. It’s a great way to stay involved,” Gross said. 

The Mountain Movers Dance Company will have several upcoming performances throughout the fall semester, such as a performance at the Johnson City Brewing Company’s Halloween Party at the Boone’s Creek Location on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. 

For more information or to find out if the MMDC will be holding auditions soon, please visit the website at http://www.mountainmoversdance.com/index.php or follow along on Instagram @mmdcetsu.