black artists

International dance conference offers Mason students unique performance and networking opportunities

Shayla Brown — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 19:55:01 +0000

International dance conference offers Mason students unique performance and networking opportunities Shayla Brown Wed, 02/14/2024 - 14:55

In This Story

Lawrence M. Jackson

As Lawrence Jackson, a ��AV School of Dance professor, watched four of his students performing on stage at the annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, he said, “It was a moment of validation.”

“The performance illustrated the effectiveness of Mason’s dance program and our commitment to fostering, nurturing, and showcasing talent from the next generation of dance artists,” he said.

A photo of Mason's School of Dance students performing at the 2024 International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance. Photo provided.

The conference was hosted Jan. 24-28 in Memphis, Tenn., by the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD). The association and its conferences serve as vital platforms for promoting excellence, fostering collaboration, and advancing the visibility of Black dance within the broader dance community and society. 

The association holds significant importance as a prominent organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the contributions of Black dance artists and professionals. Mason students who participated include first-year to senior Dance majors.

“This is the first time that Mason’s School of Dance has ever gone to an IABD conference, so I’m really grateful and excited to be a part of that,” said sophomore dance major Sanaa Fairley.

Their performance, which was part of the Youth and College Artists Performance “Love for the Rhythm,” was choreographed by senior Brianna Dawkins.

“It was extremely important for me because it was my first time representing myself as a professional choreographer,” said Dawkins, who is an arts management minor.

The conference gave students opportunities to showcase their skills and network with current professionals in their field.

After their performance, the Mason students received invitations to audition for different dance companies, said Dawkins. “That was really amazing because we all walked out of the theater with these new opportunities,” Dawkins said.

“There are so many valuable experiences like classes and panels held by masters in their field,” said Fairley. For example, the students all took a West African dance class that was offered to attendees. “That [class] was really grounding and allowed me as an artist to see what inspiration I could pull from other people and cultures.”

“We really tried to soak up as much knowledge as we could, especially as younger dancers learning from our older peers and making those connections.”

The students compared the conference atmosphere to a family reunion.

“I saw people that I've danced with in previous summer intensives and reconnected with teachers that I've trained with. I also met directors of companies which is important for potential future jobs,” said Dawkins.

This performance was freshman Jaelyn Perkins’ first at an IABD conference as a college student.

“It was amazing to be able to share that space with so many Black artists and having that sense of community. There are endless accessible opportunities for Black dancers at this conference,” said Perkins.

Mason's dance program contributes to these experiences by consistently facilitating connections between students and professionals in the industry, said Jackson. Throughout the academic year, students are routinely exposed to opportunities within the field, such as networking events and internships.

“Through my experiences here at Mason, there are so many professional opportunities like this conference. I felt so empowered being around so many successful Black dancers,” said sophomore dance major T’aja Williams. “It was a constant reminder of what my capability can look like and the possibility of being successful.”

Overall, the trip was a huge success, Jackson said.

“I would love to make it an annual or biennial trip. The School of Dance maintains a commitment to providing enriching experiences that align with the educational mission of the dance program and I think attendance at IABD helps facilitate that commitment,” he said.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Students

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

black artists

networking

Podcast - EP 47: Black Dance: Housing the past and the present

Damian Cristodero — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:11:34 +0000

Podcast - EP 47: Black Dance: Housing the past and the present Damian Cristodero Wed, 02/15/2023 - 10:11

Lawrence Jackson says colonialism brought an end to authentic African dance. But the associate professor of dance at ��AV, who in 2011 co-authored and edited a special edition on Black dance in the Journal of Pan African Studies, explains to Mason President Gregory Washington how Black dance keeps those African cultural traditions alive and is an affirmation of identity and independence. And did you know that tap, jazz and ballroom dancing have African roots? Jackson explains.

Listen to this episode

In This Story

Gregory Washington

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Access to Excellence podcast

Black African Heritage

black artists

Black History Month Student Exhibit

Jeannine Harvey — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:43:00 +0000

Black History Month Student Exhibit Jeannine Harvey Mon, 01/30/2023 - 10:43

Remembering History and Celebrating Black and African Heritage

Student Exhibit

In honor of Black and African Heritage Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students were asked to submit works of art to be displayed during the MLK Evening of Reflection. Please enjoy the powerful works below.

A Look Beyond by Isabella Cuevas

Artists Statement: A look beyond — a profound vision transforming minds while transforming through the minds. His inspiration revitalizes seeds of justice and freedom, reflected in each of us in a unified but unique way. The timeless message is filled with life and humanity, something embedded in all, potential deep within.

Hidden in plain sight by Asiya Freeman

Artists Statement: I created the "Hidden in plain sight " piece in 2019 for my Painting 1 final. After researching how the police originated, I wanted to use a white police officer with a KKK hood to represent racism, police brutality, and white supremacy. Some people aren't aware that The origins of modern-day policing can be traced back to the "Slave Patrol. The mission of the slave patrol was to "establish a system of terror and squash slave uprisings with the capacity to pursue, apprehend, and return runaway slaves to their owners. Tactics included using excessive force to control and produce desired slave behavior". Many people, especially at a PWI, don't know the history or are simply avoiding the truth. " Hidden in plain sight" is the elephant in the room; it makes some people uncomfortable, but the message is clear and exposes the history.

Freedom Fighters by Skye Callaway

Artists Statement: I wanted to focus on how all the division, discrimination, and more happening right now has led to a new age of protesters and “freedom fighters.” And how we now know what path to follow because MLK was the blueprint. He walked so we can run.

"they tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds" by Aseeyah Walker

Artists Statement: This painting is inspired by the quote: "they tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds." I have placed a black power fist in the middle of a sunflower. In American history, black people have had many challenges and barriers placed in front of us to prevent us from succeeding. However, we have persevered, fought against oppression, developed a beautiful culture, and flourished in black excellence. This painting demonstrates how African Americans created something out of nothing. It shows what unity and black pride does for the people.

On the Edge of the World by Anna Simokova

Artists Statement: In the painting “On the edge of the World,” I depicted a little girl holding a balloon, thus symbolizing new endless possibilities. I focused my attention on the central object, highlighting that the girl enters this life stage alone, and the whole universe is open for her. She is small, fragile, and light as a balloon, but she fearlessly pursues her dream!

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Student artwork honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Civil Rights leaders

“Being a student and an activist, I realized that without Martin Luther King, we wouldn’t really know a lot about peaceful protests and the right things to do,” said Callaway, an integrative studies major from Long Island, New York. “We are the next generation of activists, but he really paved the way for what we do.”

Topics

African American/Black

Black African Heritage

black artists

Center for Culture Equity and Empowerment

Martin Luther King

student activism