Cal Poly’s United Movement gives dancers a home away from home

Ten years ago, Katrina Swenson-Aguirre locked herself in her bedroom, determined to teach herself how to dance with nothing but YouTube and a dream. 

“I always wanted to dance, but I was a really shy child,” Swenson-Aguirre said. 

Now, English senior Swenson-Aguirre is the co-president of one of Cal Poly’s largest dance teams: United Movement, also known as “UM.”

The club unites diverse individuals under their shared interest in dance and culture. Through their annual dance showcase, Illuminate, United Movement uplifts Cal Poly’s cultural clubs within a historically white institution. 

“It’s really rare to find a group of people as diverse as we are,” said Lea Graham, United Movement vice president and an environmental management & protection junior. 

Graham said Cal Poly’s racial makeup differs drastically from her high school experience. 

“It’s not even the fact that there are minorities in UM,” Graham said.“It’s the fact that everyone is so accepting and welcoming towards people of all different backgrounds.”

Illuminate brings different clubs together on campus while also highlighting their cultural aspects, according to Crystal Doan, United Movement co-president and an architecture junior. 

“It’s just really important to be able to share those cultures not only with an audience but within each cultural club and share our experiences with each other.”

Lea Graham, United Movement vice president

The club began in 2014 as Hip-Hop Congress, a name coined by the club’s founder, Daniel Phil Kim. After multiple name changes, the club became United Movement in 2022. 

The team is non-audition and non-competitive. United Movement’s determination to provide a comfortable and non-judgemental environment welcomes both those with no experience and those who have danced their entire lives, according to Swenson-Aguirre.

“A singular sequence of movement will look different on anyone’s body,” Swenson-Aguirre said. “Seeing it in different variations on different people just expands your mind.”

For many, United Movement provides a space for past dancers to rediscover their passion for dance again. That was the case for industrial engineering junior Natalie Murai. She grew up with a strong dance background but felt hesitant to continue the sport in college. 

“I came to Cal Poly not even knowing if I wanted to continue to dance,” Murai said. “Coming to the club made me fall in love with dance all over again. It’s been so much fun.”

Murai’s hesitancy to continue dancing in college is a common theme for many dancers before they discovering United Movement. This often stems from the competitiveness of the dance community. 

“Outside of the Central Coast, the dance world is very competitive and a little bit tense. I feel like UM is like a sanctuary in a sense where it’s less competitive, less pressure.”

Katrina Swenson-Aguirre, United Movement co-president

On the other hand, Doan took a few beginner classes before she came to Cal Poly. She used dance to get out of physical education classes in high school, but she fell in love with the art. 

“UM is just trying to be a first step for a lot of people to get into dance,” Doan said. “We’re hoping to be a place that dancers from different backgrounds can come to flourish and nourish [their] skills.”

The bond between United Movement members makes the team special, Doan said. Members found some of their best friends within the group and a “home away from home,” Swenson-Aguirre said.

“There is just an authenticity,” Swenson-Aguirre said. “Everyone’s present because we’re all there because we share a love and passion for dance.”