Rubbing his knee from a floor burn while dressed in baggy shorts and high-top Nikes, 21-year-old architecture major Andrew Raguirag sits off to the side of the dance room while his dance team perfects its routine.
Enrolled in his first choreography class, the hip-hop dancer was reluctant to submit his piece for the upcoming dance concert “Tempo” running Dec. 3-6 in the Campus Theatre.
“Most student choreographers have taken the choreography course more than once before making it to the dance concert,” Raguirag said.
His piece, entitled “Something Is Missing” will be the only hip-hop routine out of the 13 acts that will be featured.
It wasn’t until graduating in 2006 that Raguirag developed an interest for dancing.
“I’m the odd ball of my family. Both my older brother and sister have careers in the medical field,” Raguirag said.
Coming from a Filipino background, Raguirag says his parents pushed him and his siblings to set career goals.
“Architecture is drawing lines and a lot of math and physics. and I love constructing and drafting, but sometimes I want to get out of that,” Raguirag said.
It wasn’t until last spring semester that he decided to enroll in the hip-hop dance class offered on campus.
Raguirag admits taking formal classes were intimidating at first. Like most beginners, Raguirag placed himself in the back of the class based on his fear of looking ridiculous.
“It’s something that you have to build up a confidence for, but that’s how it goes,” Raguirag said.
Dance instructor Holly Lampe noticed his talent and pushed him to dance in the front of the classroom.
Because of Lampe’s encouragement, he enrolled in his current choreography class and submitted his piece for “Tempo.”
Raguirag said he is slowly winning his parents over, but emphasizes slowly.
“They see dancing as a hobby and not something that you can make a career out of, but after seeing me perform last semester, they’re adjusting to it and seeing how I can benefit from it,” Raguirag said.
Having his parents see all he has accomplished in so little time also helps.
With an instrumental mix of Colby O’ Donis’ “What You Got,” song, Raguirag’s hip-hop piece “Something’s Missing” samples a remix of “A Little Bit” by Lykke Li and adds some techno sounds into the ensemble.
The routine is based on a couple whose relationship looks happy on the surface, but behind closed doors, the boyfriend can’t commit. Through the dance, he journeys to find the missing piece from his life and ultimately finds it in his mate, Raguirag said.
Raguirag said he plans to transfer to Woodbury University, known for their architecture program, in Burbank.
“It takes about ten years to earn an architecture license,” Raguirag said “So I want to also teach in a dance studio and compete in dance competitions with a dance group.”
Raguirag plans to receive his arts degree from EC minoring in dance. He encourages anyone interested in dance to visit the dance department.
“Put all your fears aside and just do it,” Raguirag said.
