Bakersfield College is offering a hip-hop workshop for beginning and experienced dancers this month in hopes of gaining new students interested in pursuing dance and students who want to become more familiar with dance.

Eve-Lyne Thomas, professor of dance at BC, is extending the diversity of dance through creating the free workshop with intentions of broadening different genres of dance and making that genre accessible to BC students.

“I’m trying to invite the community to take this class because dance has no gender, especially hip-hop,” Thomas explained.

“This would be a great opportunity for them to get a little taste of a hip-hop class that’s taught by a professional who has been in a couple movies, and the best thing is it’s free.”

Tamell Smith, a BC student, has been trained in many areas of dance, and will be the instructor for the workshop.

“I’ve been dancing for 15 to 16 years,” Smith said.

“I’ve been in the movie ‘Honey,’ and I’ve worked with Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and I’ve been in a lot of music videos.”

Smith’s background in dance training and experience made him a desirable pick for Thomas who chose him to lead the hip-hop workshop.

“I’ve worked with other choreographers like Dave Scott who choreographed ‘You Got Served’ and all the ‘Step Up’ movies,” Smith said on his reference to his dance experience.

“I’m looking to offer the art of dance to anyone who wants to learn, give them a skill or something they like doing and it’s going to be something basic so everyone can keep up.”

Thomas intends on not only offering dance to educate students with a sample of hip-hop, but also as an opportunity for students to make up missed classes.

“It’s going to be for all levels and we hope that we have experienced people come,” Thomas explained.  “It’s not just for beginners.

“It’s for everybody. I’m trying to get BC students to come to this if their teacher approves it to get credit for attendance if they’ve missed any classes,” said Thomas.

“I’m thinking first and foremost of my students that may be in a ballet class or a jazz class and there’s an opportunity for them to make up one whole lesson.”

Thomas encourages students to come out and bring a friend to the hip-hop workshop that will be held Nov. 17 at BC in the gym, room 202, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.