Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

    Rip Tide anticipates new year

    Rip Tide anticipates new year

    “A family that dances together, stays together,” McCoy said. “I don’t consider Rip Tide a team, or a crew, but much more like a family.”

    McCoy said Rip Tide is a different kind of dance group because most members are not dance majors. Members of Rip Tide have the 
opportunity to perform hip-hop pieces and explore different styles of dance by meeting students with 
different dance backgrounds.

    As a four-year member of the crew and this year’s president, McCoy said he is excited to help lead the group.

    “There are a lot of us who want to make dance our career, but there are also people who just want to dance and enjoy it,” McCoy said.

    Rip Tide recently held auditions for new members. McCoy said the team usually consists of 15 to 19 dancers, but he is anticipating a larger team this year.

    Rip Tide performs on campus each year at events like UA Dance Marathon, the homecoming Choreography Contest and the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show. McCoy said the group 
generally performs for students, but has been invited off campus to 
perform in the past.

    While Rip Tide focuses on hip-hop dance, the group is open to different styles. McCoy said the group primarily performs choreography created by its own members, but guest 
choreographers have contributed to represent unfamiliar styles.

    Ernest Philon, a senior majoring in biology, has been a member of Rip Tide for three years and has 
choreographed pieces for the group in the past. He said he values being around such a diverse group 
of dancers.

    “We all have taken different walks of life and also different styles of dance,” Philon said. “Everyone brings something different to the table, so we are always learning something new.”

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