Star dancer Hobbs to perform in concert

For most, dancing is a form of recreation to relieve stress and have a good time. But for Cal State Long Beach dance major Danielle Hobbs, dancing is not just a way of life. It is her passion.

"I've been dancing since I was 3 years old," Hobbs said. "I do not know what I will do if I could not dance."

Beginning today, Hobbs will perform in a series of faculty choreographed modern dance concerts presented by the CSULB Dance Company at the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater.

She will appear in "Evening Soul," an original all-woman dance work by CSULB dance professor Susan McLain.

"I enjoy doing Evening Soul, because its very eclectic and sensual," Hobbs said.

"The dance portrays human beings as very kept inside and can only show so much. But when you show it, you show only the good parts."

Originally from San Bernardino, Hobbs took dance lessons at Eisenhower High School in Rialto where she garnered the 1994 Spotlight Award, a regional award given to high school students who are involved in the arts.

The 17-year-old dancer also won a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to perform at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Hobbs participated in the NAACP Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics for 9th through 12th graders in which she won the Silver medal in 1993.

She won the Gold medal the following year.

Late last spring, Hobbs choreographed and performed "Metamorphosis," a solo modern dance act she learned in high school.

The dance deals with the significance of change in which her character is confined in a net, which represents a cocoon.

According to Hobbs, as the music fades, she dies in the end, signaling the culmination of the performance.

"Metamorphosis" won her the 1996-97 Lillian Komaroff Scholarship.

"This is really an honor," she said. "It has made me believe that this is where really I want to be."

Hobbs explained that she is more of a jazz and ballet dancer. Jazz and ballet are two types of dances that young dancers learn primarily in the early stage of their careers.

However, she prefers modern dance, because of its highly disciplined qualities.

After graduation, Hobbs plans to pursue a career in dance choreography. Currently, she teaches private dance lessons to all ages at the Bre Dance Studio in Riverside.

"I like that I have the ability to help people be better dancers," Hobbs said. "It makes me proud when they get the step. I like helping them look good."