Global Motion: using dance as an extension for learning
On the afternoon of May 14, 2025, Santa Monica College (SMC) performing arts students and dancers gathered for a final run through before the “Global Motion World Dance Company” showcase. Students have been working on learning different forms and dances since their auditions at the beginning of the semester.
Sri Susilowati, co-director of “Global Motion World Dance Company”, said “Since the pandemic, a lot of classes were cancelled, so the one that suffered the most during cancellation is world dance or cultural dance because it is not required … it is one out of many (dance classes), a lot of students take other requirements like ballet, modern dance, and hip hop because it is popular.”
Susilowati said that interest in world and cultural dance has been increasing. “The trend (of student enrollment in world dance) is going up which is very hopeful.” Susilowati explains that salsa was not offered for a couple of semesters because of low student enrollment and is now reinstated as a class.
This semester there are three student choreographers Aiden Cook (Greek Folklore), Simon Lathrop (Musical) and Mayu Oishi (Contemporary Ballet).
Oishi, a second year student from Japan, has been dancing ballet since the age of three. Oishi said, “This is my first time choreographing in my life, and I'm a little nervous … but my dancers have worked hard, my piece has contemporary movement.”
Oishi’s piece is a contemporary ballet performance titled “Ikigai”, a Japanese word that describes the concept of purpose or the reason to live. Ballet originates from France in the 16th century; the style is described as Romantic Ballet. In the 19th century classical ballet emerged from Russiaas a style of dance that is more precise and has a distinctive form.
Contemporary ballet blends classical ballet with modern dance. It takes the classical style and enhances movements with upper body movement and floor work. Through this piece, Oishi explores themes of finding freedom or purpose in contemporary ballet.
Oishi was accepted into The State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase Conservatory of Dance. This university has a program that specializes in modern, contemporary and classical ballet.
Oishi has had the opportunity at SMC to choreograph for a dance she specializes in while also having the opportunity to explore new dance forms. Oishi said “We actually learned a lot of culture from dance, I had the great opportunity to learn West African culture, ballet culture, and jive from American culture.” Aside from her performing and choreographing the contemporary ballet performance, Oishi was a performer in the West African, Ballroom Jive and musical performance.
Like Oishi, Lathrop began dancing at a young age. “My mom owned a dance studio, so I was dancing before I was born. She would teach classes when she was pregnant with me and then I was three-years-old and she put me in tap and ballet, ... then I just kept going,” Lathrop said.
Lathrop, is a third year student at SMC. He has choreographed before but this is his first time choreographing for Global Motion. Lathrop’s piece is titled “Wolf” a musical theatre piece which uses dancing, singing, and acting to tell a story about the corruption of money on a person’s morals.
Lathrop said, “I think (Global Motion) taught me the importance of learning new techniques and breathing it in and accepting, like, okay, even though I've been dancing forever, I'm not necessarily gonna understand this right away.”
Lanthrop said “For higher learning, like college and stuff, with dance, it's very focused on ballet, modern dance, it’s cut and dry, … That's all you do, so I think it's important, (to) space in this huge, amazing theater for those cultural dances to be shared and practiced and yeah, I think it's a good thing.”
Lathrop is a member of the contemporary ballet, greek folklore and ballroom jive. Global Motion has provided him a space to learn and explore new dances and to find a community. He said, “I think it's because a lot of the dance is cultural and traditional and about community, that's kind of what it feels like more. Like when we're eating, they always bring us food for the run throughs and then we always hang out and talk after, and it's still professional, but it feels more community based.”
Unlike Lathrop, Aiden Cook started dancing about two years ago, taking a class in hip hop, then the following year auditioning for Synapse. Cook is majoring in Gender Studies, and is a professional actor. “ I am planning to continue to dance amongst acting … I've been acting since eighth grade, I did theater in high school, and then into college … it has helped me be a better dancer and being a dancer is helping me be a way better actor, it's remarkable,” he said.
Cook’s piece is titled “Icarus Reborn”, in which he reimagines a contemporary take on the tale of Icarus. The piece is a blend of different folk dances such as hasapiko, hasaposerviko, pentozali and zeibekiko dance styles.
Hasapiko and hasaposerviko are dances dating to Ancient Greece that exhibit a sense of community and celebration and are performed in interconnected circles or lines. Pentozali is a Cretan folk dance that is high energy and intensive. Zeibekiko is a folk dance that contrasts aforementioned dances, it is performed as a solo and more expressive, often invoking feelings of loss and sorrow. Cook’s blend of these stories retell a tragic tale with optimism.
“Global Motion World Dance Company” took place on May 17 and 18, 2025 at the BoardStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center. It takes place every semester and offers the opportunity to learn new dance forms traditional and contemporary. Cook said, “Global (Motion) feels like a celebration.”