NW dancers move to grooves with Carey’s choreographer
by Michael Villarreal, reporter

    Mariah Carey couldn’t make it, but her choreographer was on NW Campus last week.

   Henry “Link” McMillian was in town helping out with the spring dance auditions.

   Approximately 40 students showed up to dance, and a curious few hung around the door just to see Link in action. Students learned new routines as they danced to the music of NSYNC.

   “This is the first college I’ve ever worked with. There’s a lot of talent in here; they just have to relax and work at it,” Link said.

   Link said that dance to him is an expression of life; it’s how one feels and thinks.

   Troy Hart, a 68-year-old dance student in attendance, said he was feeling it all right—in his knees—just after the first song.

   Hart is a member of the senior citizens program and is taking continuing education courses offered by TCC.

   Link said that his career took off right after high school.

   “I was always at local talent shows helping my cousin out with her girl group, choreographing them. But back then I didn’t know that what I was doing was labeled choreographing. I just did it for fun,” he said.

   Link started his dancing career in 1989 with Diana Ross then began choreographing the following year. Besides Carey, Link has worked with Boyz II Men, Will Smith, Heavy Dee & the Boyz and Lizette Melendez.

   “The dancers do a lot of work, but they don’t get a lot of credit. To me, I think dancers are the show,” he said.

   Link said real dancers do not say that they’re a jazz dancer, a lyrical dancer or a hip-hop dancer because once a dancer has labeled himself as that, he cannot see himself doing anything else.

   “I’m a dancer who dances from dancing; I don’t dance from counting. If you feel it, you are going to do it, but if you dance from counting, then you’re just remembering, and that’s not dancing,” he said.

   Dance is an easy way to communicate without saying anything to someone else, Link said

   Crystal Hill, a dance student, said she met Link about two years ago at a dance camp.

   She and others in her troop were inspired by his dance technique so much they followed him to New York to continue under his direction.

   They have been friends ever since. Link was in the area visiting Hill last semester.

   “He was in town, and he didn’t know anybody, so I took him to class with me,” she said.

   Link was introduced to Linda Quinn, Dance Co. director, and he danced for the class.

   Quinn asked Link to return to teach a masters class to help get the dance company ready for its spring performance.

   “He works the students hard while at the same time he is very patient with dancers of all levels,” she said.

   “He’s not only a good choreographer and dancer, but he is also a very good example to our students who wish to become dance teachers,” she said.

   In dance, Quinn tries to expose students to as many different choreographers as possible to learn various styles.

   “I like to bring in guest artists who are examples of very good teachers, and he is a prime example,” she said.

   Quinn considered Link’s visit a success.

   “If you have a good time dancing, then that’s when you learn; that’s when you achieve; that’s when you get stronger, and that’s when you excel. I had a ball,” she said.

   The Dance Co. is preparing for its spring performance May 3.