Edgecombe Community College takes the arts seriously, President Deborah Lamm said.

In the past two years, the college has added a weekend community theater program and an associate degree in theater arts, Lamm said. Now, the college is venturing in the world of dance with a weekend course offered through its continuing education program.

Over three weekends, beginning to advanced dance students will be given the opportunity to study ballet, jazz, tap and musical theater with professional instructors, Lamm said.

“I am always interested in what I call niche programming – programming that is very appropriate for Edgecombe County and that can fill a void such as the dance instruction. And it is something a little different than what other community colleges or institutions of higher education might be offering,” Lamm said.

The courses will be offered Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 25 and 26 and March 3 and 4, Lamm said. The classes meet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The classes will be taught by Dirk Lumbard, who has performed on Broadway, and Joshua Chambers, who dances with the Greenville Civic Ballet. Lumbard, who lives in Edgecombe County, said he is excited to bring a professional, economical program that people do not have to travel hours to reach.

Students can participate in one, some or all of the styles, Lumbard said. The dancers will be divided according to their experience levels, so instructors can teach at their levels.

“We would love anybody at any level. We don’t want to scare off people who are really looking into starting this as a beginner. We are absolutely looking for people who are at that level,” Lumbard said.

The cost of the course is $65.

To enroll, call J. Lynn Cale at 823-5166, ext. 327, or calel@edgecombe.edu.