West African Dance Class

I originally took this class to step outside of my comfort zone and to use it as a form of exercise. This dance class introduced me to traditional West African dance and music. West African dance forms and styles are strong, virile, and vital with the feeling of dynamic thrust and resistance. The movements express urgency, though they can be controlled, having the power to project the gentle wind or the raging storm.The class focused on learning material that emphasized practice and performance within the classroom along with end of semester performance at the BFA dance showcase. The course analyzed how these movements became hybridized when crossing geographical, social, and cultural boundaries within West African dance forms/styles, what is gained and lost learning West African Dance style, how students from different ethnicities interpret the music and dances they perform, that are not ethnically their own, and how are these dances are used in constructing West African/Diaspora identities. This class allowed me to improved my knowledge of dance and African culture, as well as meet new friends. Please see the videos below.