The 5C Dance Company have been electrifying athletic events at The Claremont College since 2008
By Tess Miller ‘27
The power of movement is thriving at Scripps thanks in part to the 5C Dance Company (5CDC), a women-led club of dancers who practice weekly, perform at 5C basketball and football games, and host a dance showcase every semester. Founded in the spring of 2008 by Jaclyn D’Arcy Pedersen CMC ’11, the group gathers people from across The Claremont Colleges with different majors, interests, and passions to inspire others through their shared love of dance.
One of the co-captains of the dance team, Kira Fredericson ’27, is a Scripps sophomore who treks to Pomona every Sunday morning for 5CDC practice. “The purpose is to create a supportive community for people who like to dance to come together in a less stressful environment than the typical dance experience they may have had,” she says.
Anna Berman ’27, a member of 5CDC and a Scripps biology major, says that “the 5C Dance Company is just so much fun. We get to showcase our choreography and try things out in a really casual space, but also have the ability to perform and put pieces on stage.”
5CDC is just one expression of the lively dance culture at Scripps and The Claremont Colleges. Tiernan Field House, Scripps’ fitness and wellness facility, frequently offers classes like Zumba and barre, and each spring, the annual Scripps Dances production features original works from students studying in the College’s dance department. The College also recently announced progress on constructing a new dance center as part of its Centennial Plaza Project to create much-needed rehearsal and performance space for Scripps’ artists.
The 5C Dance Company hosts a fall and spring dance show case every year
While 5CDC is unique in its involvement with athletic events across the 5Cs, according to Fredericson, the most popular event is the dance showcase performed at the end of every semester. This year’s 5CDC event will be held on May 4 at the Pendleton Dance Center at Pomona College and is free to attend.
As a conduit for community, 5CDC has a winning combination: students are empowered to choreograph and perform dances, meet new people from different colleges and academic interests, and reignite passions. As Fredericson notes, “5CDC has allowed me to reclaim my heart for dance because I have a lot more autonomy in this group compared to the dance I did growing up. This is much more flexible and fun—less about winning, more about just doing what you love.”
5CDC holds auditions every semester. To learn more, follow their Instagram @5CDanceCompany