Students Pair Up With Partners for ‘Dancing with the Professors’
The competition heats up as ten students and their partners dance to raise money for the Hofheimer Library. 7 p.m., Saturday, March 27.
By Megan Z. Shearin | March 23, 2010
It takes two to tango! And that’s exactly what Dr. David Clayton, professor of music, and junior Nina Ruiz will be doing this Saturday, March 27.
The couple will show off their sultry dance moves to “Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre).” It’s the same music Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere danced the tango to in “Shall We Dance?”
They’ve been practicing for the past six months with a dance instructor, trying to perfect their promenade, corte and swivel moves for Virginia Wesleyan College’s third annual ‘Dancing with the Professors’ competition. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Hofheimer Library in pursuit of Phi Beta Kappa.
“I’ve danced on and off, but nothing like this,” said Ruiz, who admits that the grueling dance practices have taken their toll. About mid-way through, she pulled a leg muscle, which forced the couple to take a week off from practicing. A knee brace has been placed underneath Clayton’s pants to help support his soreness.
Only a few practices remain before Clayton and Ruiz, along with 18 other participants, hit the dance floor. Both are a bit nervous and excited about their debut.
“I’m sure I’ll be nervous before we start on stage,” said Clayton, “but I think everyone is going to do well.”
Additional dancers and their partners:
- Dr. Eric Mazur, Gloria and David Furman Associate Professor of Judaic Studies, and Ashley Buck ’10 (cha cha)
- Dr. Kathy Stolley, Batten Associate Professor of Sociology, and Alfonzo Lowe ’13 (rumba)
- Dr. Craig Jackson, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Mallori King ’11 (salsa)
- Dr. Rebecca Hooker, Assistant Professor of English, and John Maravich ’11 (meringue)
- Dr. Donte Manna, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and Paresa Taghavie-Moghadam ’10 (Chicago style stepping)
- McCaren Caputa, Director of Residence Life, and Tim Maloney ’10 (bachata)
- Elaine Aird, Assistant Director of Business Operations, and Dominique Fowler ’12 (fox trot)
- Mike McFarland, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, and Devin Cowhey ’10 (waltz)
- Brandon Elliott, Head Women’s Softball Coach, and Leah Hammond ’10 (swing)
Pre-Sale Tickets
$5, VWC Students
$10, VWC Faculty, Staff and Alumni
$15, Non-VWC Guests
Tickets at the Door
$5, VWC Students
$15, VWC Faculty, Staff and Alumni
$20, Non-VWC Guests
For more information, contact Kristen Whalen in the Office of Student Activities at 757.455.3383 or kwhalen@vwu.edu.