Victoria Meldrum was heartbroken when she couldn’t continue dancing after middle and high school. College-level dance classes at Ball State seemed to be for dance majors and minors, which as a journalism graphics major she wasn’t. But then she discovered she could still dance with classes offered at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in downtown Muncie.
“I took my first class, contemporary and jazz, last fall and loved it,” said Meldrum, an alumna of Ball State. “I was able to meet other people in the community who shared my love. There were a few girls who had years of experience and others who never had a dance class before. It was a really fun environment for learning.”
Located in a former Masonic Temple, Cornerstone offers classes in a variety of ares, such as dance, fitness, martial arts, music, theatre and visual arts. The classes, which began Monday, are open for all ages. Open spots are still available.
Sarah Anderson, director of education at Cornerstone, said these classes are a great way to explore a new area or try a new hobby.
“We cover a broad range of topics and art forms, so there is a something for everyone,” she said.
This semester Meldrum and her friend Marta Vitolins are taking Indian and Bollywood dancing classes together. In the class students learn traditional and Bollywood dance forms by using hands, feet and eye coordination.
“I’m just excited that there’s an interesting class like Bollywood to take,” said Vitolins, a senior classical cultures major. “I want to have a way to stay active.”
Meldrum said taking the Indian and Bollywood class is a lot less scary when someone has her back, like her friend Vitolins.
“Dance is also the only way I can trick myself into exercising,” Meldrum said. “I have the incentive to work hard so that I can perform at the level I used to in high school.”
The Bollywood class is $81, but most of Cornerstone’s other classes range from $55 to $75 for a one-hour, 12-week class.
In addition, Cornerstone offers a financial aid program, which full-time Ball State students can take advantage of. They can get up to $75 off of one class during a fall or spring semester. In order to receive the discount, the student must fill out the form by the Friday of the first week of classes.
Citing Cornerstone’s motto “Explore. Create. Escape,” Anderson said students should take classes because they can explore new art areas, create memories and escape the everyday.
“[Classes] are a great way to relax, learn something new, get fit or have fun with friends,” she said. “I think students enjoy being able to take a class ‘just for fun.’”
