African Dance and Diaspora

My first graduate class was a 5 day workshop in African Dance and Diaspora taught by Ferne Caulker Bronson. She has a company in Milwaukee, Ko Thi Dance Company. My first intellectual adventure at UWM was a journey into the expressions and experiences of African people throughout history. We spent our 9 AM - 5 PM day studying African culture, art, history, as well as numerous forms of dance. We studied dances from all over Africa and the Caribbean and barely scratched the surface of what there is to learn about this beautiful art form. We also studied and practiced the drumming text and had some amazing call and response singing. African chants and songs are beautiful and to learn, sing and experience the drums response to the songs and then the bodies response through the movement is very hard to describe. You have to feel it and experience the rhythms through out your body and interact with the drums and musicians and other dancers around you to have the full effect. I want everyone to take a class in African dance, it's so expressive and beautiful. This week's workshop was not just about African Dance, we were also given the opportunity to explore our own interior and discover a greater or perhaps clearer individual artistic vision. It was the perfect way to start my MFA experience!

There are about 25 MFA candidates in this program. I am so humbled to be in same room with such a range of experience. Every one of us brings a unique background to this program and it's great to already have a new family of dancers, teachers, and choreographers. From the first day I was already thinking about the collaborative possibilities and different ways I can offer opportunities for my own students from all of these amazing artists.

When thinking about my new friends, teachers, intellectual and creative opportunities along with the beauty of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan, I can't help but think this will be an incredible summer.

"Dance with bended knees, lest you be taken for a corpse." Kongo Proverb, Central Africa (One of the most important things to remember when learning African dance technique!)