Substitute dance teacher leaves impression
By Kayli Asbill
Cub@TheColumbiaStar.com

When Kathleen Lee, the dance teacher at Dreher High School, took maternity leave, Steven Ferguson filled in. Ferguson is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a musician as well as a dancer. Ferguson will be teaching Lee's classes until some time in September when she returns.

Ferguson began his dancing career in college when he was asked to be in a ballet even though he had no prior experience. He enjoyed the ballet but did not enjoy having to lift girls and not being able to dance. Because of this disappointment Steven decided to take up West African dance. Ferguson says, "It interests me how the body works, and dance has also helped me play my horn better." Being involved with dancing has also allowed me to travel to places like Costa Rica and Maine.

Ferguson loves teaching at Dreher. He says, "The students are willing to try anything and are open to my style of teaching." He is excited that everyone is working so hard and is able discovering dance with him.

Ferguson has also enjoyed meeting other teachers at Dreher including Dr. Donald Holland, the chorus teacher, and Gene Cameron, the band director.

Along with being a teacher and a dancer, Ferguson is also very involved in other forms of art. He started a non profit organization called Culture Splash which gives him the opportunity to conjoin music and dance. This is his ultimate goal. Ferguson also tries to include character building, social change, and personal change into his art and teachings. The dance students will miss Ferguson when he leaves.