Introduction

How has dance inspired people? Historically? Culturally? In revolutions? This is a very broad question that is furnished with different facts. Dance is an art form that can change lives; it’s a form of expression, a way for individuals to liberate themselves from burdens through bodily movements; some do it in order to praise for their deities, find closer spiritual connections, or release their internal anguish. Four different forms of dance, from various parts of the world were explored throughout this project: Afro/Amapiano, Majorette dancing, and Bhangra dancing. The differences between each dance do not serve as barriers that hold the pursuit of learning but should instead be embraced as new knowledge, through a dance that will unite all of these different genres of dance. The film presented is a synthesis of the research on each dance along with a choreographed piece to represent each dance style.

Literary Review

The dance teams on the campus of the University of Maryland were driving factors for the creation of this film. The Doom dance team focused on Bhangra dancing which is heavily embedded in Bollywood (Roy, A.G.) yet its origins stem from harvest celebrations. As the first majorette team on this campus, the Starstrutters just like other majorette teams have been pillars in the black community and promoters of black excellence (Good Morning America) Amapiano and Afrofusion have been taking over the world, with many of the moves coming from religious and spiritual sources (Nigeria, G).

Beyonce’s Homecoming movie incorporated her growth in the performing world while putting HBCU culture at the forefront of the Coachella festival. Majorette dancers were able to demonstrate the world their greatness and talents, which inspired the idea of a similar project for multiple dance genres.

Methods

Choreographing happens in waves; waves of success, then doubt, and success again. Allocating time for the addition of movements and performing each movement to make sure everything looks cohesive. The start of this process is a basic 8 count that matches the beat and then builds upon itself with movements that match the music. In filming and editing a different process, a storyboard is needed to map out what information will be shared and how, and an understanding of the software used during the editing process is essential to create smooth transitions and note-worthy edits.

Audience & Impact

There is no limit to who counts as the audience for this film, anyone who is able to dance or wants to learn; actually, even people who don’t have a particular interest in dance can hopefully spark a new interest in them. The aim is to illuminate the diversity in the dances showcased from different areas of the globe yet also make connections to invite curiosity in the viewer so that they themselves can go on their own dance journey. The art scholars program facilitated this goal as it’s a place where diversity is invented to harbor more creativity among peers, inspiring one another every day through different mediums of art, interpretation, and criticism.

When it comes to the artist they hope to gain the drive to learn more dance styles, as there is a countless number of them that still need to be explored. Absorbing as much knowledge as possible and educating others in the future inspires this thirst for learning.  

References

 ● Rani, Maxwell Xolani. “The Impact of Colonisation on the Ability to Make a Meaning of ‘Black’ South African Contemporary Dance in the 21st Century.” Journal of Pan African Studies, vol. 12, no. 4, Oct. 2018, pp. 311–26. EBSCOhost   search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=133155054&site=ehost-live. 

● Roy, Anjali Gera. “Meanings of Bhangra and Bollywood Dancing in India and the Diaspora.” Topia (University of Toronto Press), vol. 26, Fall 2011, pp. 85–104. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.3138/topia.26.85

● Nigeria, Guardian. “Four Nigerian Spiritual Dance Rituals.” The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 17 Feb. 2019, guardian.ng/life/four-nigerian-spiritual-dance-rituals/.  ● Carter, Nakylah, and Faith Bernstein. “The Rich and Beautiful History of HBCU Majorette Teams.” Good Morning America, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2023, www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/rich-beautiful-history-hbcu-majorette-teams- 97285956. 

● Elizabeth, Lauren. “The Fight for Gender Equality Takes Motion at HBCUs.” Medium, 13 Nov. 2019, medium.com/@lauren.craddock3/the-fight-for-gender-equality-takes-motion-at -hbcus-983893deb9b.

Acknowledgements

I want to take my friend Essence and Kayla, for helping me choming up with my dances, Bri, Kathryn and all my Arts Scholars for making me feel like my project was something that they belive would turn out great.