“ART, a means of expression or communication”
Always do your best
Respect yourself and others
Take pride in your work

In the artist life, to express a emotion
If he is a painter, he paints
If he is a singer, he sings, etc...

Today, African dance and drum is recognized internationally as the first manifestation of African culture. My vision is to raise awareness and expand the understanding of this art by reflecting the soul throughout movements and instruments. As a dancer, drummer and choreographer, my purpose is to share my ideas with the audience, inviting them to experience this culture through dance, drum, song and choreography.

What I mean by, “Exercise has never been so fun,” is that dance as a whole – the movements that you see – is a form of physical exercise. Within the many different styles of dance, such as African, Jazz, Ballet, Salsa, Capoeria and Yoga, you will see similarities. On some level they are all the same. However, each style of dance has its own explanation which is dependant upon the choreographer or dancer, and with African dance, you will find high energy, aerobic and expressive movements.

History says that African dance comes from our ancestors, and before there were two methods of African dance: sacred and rejoicing.

One: When the dance is sacred. History teaches us that when the dance is sacred, a ceremony is performed and the people who were just initiated will express their emotions of joy, sadness or drive away the bad spirits in the village. When the dance is spiritual, the people can fall into a trance where you cannot understand their speaking. At this time, they are not conscious of what they are doing – they are in fact communicating with the ancestors.

Two: When the dance is rejoicing. The dance is rejoicing when everyone gathers in a public place and can be involved without having to be initiated. The dancers can improvise and create their own steps when they feel moved to do so, creating a space of self-expression.

  
                         

                                  African-American Read-in 2006: Onondaga Hill Middle School
                                                                                    Syracuse, NY

Secondly, today you can find throughout the world many different people teaching African dance. Each African dance teacher is representing as a messenger of our ancestors or an amabassador to share African culture and improve its image. For me, in this profession, I believe that African dance can be viewed as a form of exercise, social gathering, therapy and a cultural experience. When I say “The African dance – Exercise has never so Fun,” I’m referring to the different African dance classes. For someone who has never seen or taken an African dance class, they don’t have any idea how the dance looks and what to compare it to. By relating the dance to exercise, it welcomes anyone who is inspired to move their body. However, an African dance class will always give you more than just a workout. It also provides a cultural experience. In the life, everyone has their own culture and tradition, but sharing different cultures I believe is the best way to learn more about each other.

I believe that the integration of each culture from around the world, without discrimination, will contribute to the betterment of mankind.

- Biboti Ouikahilo