Tammy Do

Angel Canas and Mariah lock hands during their dance rehearsal led by student choreographer Tara Franklin on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

“Do everything, or not at all!”

Dance student Tara Franklin addresses her dancers sharply as they lift their legs as part of a complicated floor sequence.

As they go through the section one more time, Franklin calls out adjustments and corrections in a firm but cheery tone somewhat at odds with the soundtrack – the languid opening strains of Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart” – but makes perfect sense for the limited studio time she has to get the piece into tip-top shape.

Franklin’s piece will be performed in just a few short weeks, as part of the fall student dance concert on Nov. 16-18.

Titled “Connected Through Dance,” the concert is the culmination of the dance performance class, in which students apply their dance skills attained through this and other dance courses at San Jose City College.

Having loved dance since his first class as a child, student choreographer Alex Barbour said he is excited to bring a message of unity to the campus with his aptly named piece, “You Have All Each Other.”

“Everyone in this world is just a beautiful person with their own beautiful problems. Now is a time where we have to come together more than ever,” Barbour said.

Dance director Amber McCall, who teaches the course, said she hopes people will come out to see the show, which incorporates “elements of jazz, modern and hip-hop dance.”

In addition to being performed by students, all but one of the 12 pieces was also choreographed by students, McCall said. Students learn to prepare dance pieces by taking the choreography course offered in the spring.

“(People) should come to see dance being used as an expressive medium for student’s creativity,” McCall said.

“Connected Through Dance” will be performed Nov. 16-18 at 8 p.m. at the SJCC Theater. Tickets will be available at the door: $10 for general admission and $5 for students, faculty, staff and seniors.