As far as class descriptions go, World Dance Appreciation is self-explanatory—we learn traditional dances from across the globe. A typical lesson involves memorizing steps while staying in time with a rhythm and our dance partners. This class is often tricky, but the community of Manuella, Letitia, Precious, Alex Calabro, Grace Qudeen, Denzel, Ethan Marquis, Mrs. Surber, and myself, is the perfect combination of vulnerability, leadership, and personality, and so we help each other succeed.
For the first few days of World Dance, I watched the mirrors to gauge the class’s effort, wondering, are people here for an art credit or the dancing? I’d joined the class to fill my performance art credit, yet I was also excited to dance. Then we began learning the Brazilian Maculélé and the sub-Saharan Lamban. I loved the energy and felt impassioned to maximize my effort—to be vulnerable and carefree with my movements. The less we, as dancers think, the more our bodies feel the music, and the more our muscle memory is successful. As we dance vulnerably, we feel connected to each other and to the culture from which the dance arose.
Teaching vulnerability is not a curricular directive of the class, but it’s a result; the same goes for leadership. When someone misremembers a step, we show them how to do it. When someone is off-tempo, we get their attention. We make sure everyone puts in the work for our dance to look good showing our appreciation for the culture and erasing any doubts of appropriation.
The final lesson of world dance is personality—in technical terms: style. As we rehearse our dance, we gain a deep enough cultural understanding to incorporate unique variations on the moves. We turn an awesome cultural-dance to an awesome cultural-us-dance. Our additive hip sways, handshakes, or foot stomps reveal current emotions and thoughts, and our overall stylistic patterns reveal our long-term dancing personality. To gain a better understanding of my class’s personality, I interviewed its members. We have a strong dynamic of trust and support, so we have fun with each other.
Manuella
Best Memory: The beat of hitting the Maculélé sticks. Most Potential: Letitia: She has rhythm and follows the steps well. On a side note, if someone says Alex, they’re lying. Best Dance Partners: Grace & Quinn Survivor Winner: Denzel Voted Out 1st: Alex Instructor: Myself
Letitia – One might says she’s too cool for an interview.
Precious
Best Memory: Alex and Ethan in the Capoeira circle: Their touching performance showed a deep appreciation of the art. Most Potential: Myself: I’m athletic, smart, and rhythmic. The word “amazing” also comes to mind. Best Dance Partners: Precious & Letitia “We are literally the same person in different fonts; we anticipate each other’s dance moves.” Survivor Winner: Quinn Voted Out 1st: Ethan Instructor: Myself, I’m patient
Alex Calabro
Best Memory: Ethan’s “My Dance Identity” Presentation Most Potential: Manuella Best Dance Partners: Alex & Ethan with a Brazilian dance. Survivor Winner: Denzel Voted Out 1st: Letitia Instructor: Myself
Grace Qudeen
Best Memory: Learning the Capoeira from volunteer teacher Nika and having both Quinn and I thrown over her. Most Potential: Myself – “Dance isn’t just an art; it’s an identity.” Best Dance Partners: Grace and Quinn – we’re on a common wavelength and have a history from skiing and engineering. Survivor Winner: Grace Voted Out 1st: Manuella Instructor: Denzel
Denzel
Best Memory: the spinning moves of the Maculélé. Most Potential: Grace – she gets things easily On another side note, it’s not Alex; something’s not clicking Best Dance Partners: Grace and Ethan: Grace will make Ethan better than Alex and Letitia. I just have a feeling. Survivor Winner: Ethan Voted Out 1st: Myself, out of general confusion. Instructor: Grace
Ethan Marquis
Best Memory: Presumably the warm-up leg shakes, but I forgot to ask Most Potential: Manuella Best Dance Partners: Alex and Ethan with a Brazilian dance. Survivor Winner: Myself Voted Out 1st: Letitia Instructor: Myself
Mrs. Surber
Best Memory: Our discussion over observations in the African dance video Most Potential: Denzel Best Dance Partners: Denzel & Letitia Survivor Winner: Alex – He’s athletic, confident, and moderately talkative. Voted Out 1st: Ethan – He’s silly and very talkative, it’s fun in class but not successful on survivor. Instructor: Grace – she’s confident enough to lead, knows the steps well, and she can corral everyone.
