Take a free swing dance lesson as part of Music Moves Us

Fans of big band music won’t want to miss Big Band Lakeshore’s performance as part of the Summer Concert Series. The concert, scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive, will feature a special dance lesson from Walker Wilson, a Holland dance instructor, who will teach attendees the moves to enjoy the event.

Wilson’s free dance lesson, held Friday, Aug. 9, from 5:30-6:00 p.m. in Kollen Park, is part of the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s Music Moves Us initiative, which offers a range of music and dance experiences from Aug. 6-10. The initiative includes 10 events featuring styles from salsa to hip hop, culminating in the symphony’s “Music Unites Us – Brazil!” program at Kollen Park on Aug. 10.

“This is our 15th year of the concert series. We love to offer it to the community and bring people together,” said Kemri Hilton, one of the city of Holland’s recreation program coordinators.

The Lakeshore Big Band has been entertaining audiences throughout West Michigan since 1990. 

Lakeshore Big BandThe Lakeshore Big Band is a 17-piece traditional big band.

Based in Spring Lake, the group is a 17-piece traditional big band that performs from a large library of tunes dating from the early days of jazz to today. This includes hits from the big band era by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more, as well as contemporary jazz, ballroom dance and popular music. 

"We're excited to be part of the Music Moves Us week,” says Brian Obits, the band's leader. The Lakeshore Big Band specializes in dance music. We love playing concerts too, but when we do, you can be sure much of our music will be danceable as well as fun to listen to. Audiences can expect to hear a variety of swing and Latin dance styles, and we love it when people come up and dance." 

From physical therapy to dance

Wilson, who has been teaching dance for over a decade, began his journey with ballet in high school and funded his college education by teaching ballroom dance. After earning a degree in exercise science, he decided to forgo physical therapy graduate school to open his own dance studio, Wilson Dance Studio, at 436 Washington Ave. in Holland’s Washington Square.

Walker Wilson dances with a partner.

As the studio’s dance director, Wilson brings confidence to even the most hesitant students, from couples preparing for their first dance to individuals looking to dance socially or compete.

I love teaching because I can fill a hole in people’s lives, whether they need a hobby, to destress from work, or have a fun way to exercise,” says Wilson. “They get all these things when they dance.”

There’s also the health benefits.

“Whether it be physical exercise or cardio or rehab after surgery, dance helps these issues,” Wilson says. 

For more information about the Music Moves Us events, visit the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s website.

The Lakeshore WM is the media sponsor of Music Moves Us.