The Panther

Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: David Butler Dance Fever: Kent Ware takes a breather in between eight counts during his dance class.

Media Credit: David Butler Up on his toes: While trying some new moves Ware runs through the dance routine he choreographed with one of his students.

He was the only male in Classic Dance Ensemble his freshman year, and now, there are three. Dancing for some people may be for fun, but for Kent Ware it's his life.

Born on September 11, in Longmont, Colo., Kent started dancing at the age of 10. Different videos by artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince motivated him to start dancing.

"When I looked at videos, dancing interested me," he said. Kent, an education major and dance minor, said, "The first videos I memorized were "You Make Me Wanna" by Usher and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson."

Dancing didn't come easy for Kent. His parents couldn't afford dance lessons so he had to teach himself. "I used to watch videos and remember the choreography… It was the only way I could learn how to dance," he said.

Once he got to high school, dancing became a serious matter for Kent. "I used to battle in the lunchroom and after my classes," said Kent. "I also battled in clubs and in the streets."

Going to a predominatly white high school, dancing was something Kent used to find his identity. "I found myself through hip-hop dance," he said. "It helped me identify the person that I am."

Recruited by Prairie View originally for football, Kent decided not to play for undisclosed reasons.

"Not playing football gave me more time to focus on dancing," said the sophomore. "I have the opportunity to participate in more dancing activities on campus and teach my talent to others."

Those activities, Classic Dance Ensemble and teaching a hip-hop class on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m., are part of his résumé that he builds weekly.

He is also training a junior in high school for one of the most prestigious dance schools in the country, Julliard. He gives her essays to write about dancing and gives her dance lessons five days a week.

"I see myself in her, not being able to afford lessons and looking for a way to express her feelings," he said. "For some people dance is a hobby, but for me it's my life. Just like class, I take dance very serious."

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