AfroDance Team Connects Campus to Culture

The AfroDance Team was founded in 2022 as part of the African Student Association to add a dance element to its annual Taste of Africa event, but the desire to further embrace the culture's rich dance history led to the group becoming a full-fledged organization in 2023.  

Now 40 members strong, the AfroDance Team performs across campus and hosts interactive workshops, showcases, and philanthropy events to celebrate and share Africa's rich and diverse culture with the Georgia Tech community through dance.  

Maya Leveille wanted to learn more about the club after seeing a performance video on Instagram during her first year at Tech. The biomedical engineering student didn't let a lack of dance experience stop her from looking into the organization, and she has encouraged prospective members to follow her lead.  

"AfroDance is accessible to all skill levels. Our choreography committee delivers these fun and engaging dances, created with everyone in mind, and teaches them in a simple way. While it may look intimidating at first, you'll have it down by the end of practice, and the process is rewarding and empowering," Leveille, the club's secretary, said.    

Routines often include dance moves from different African cultures. Leveille explains that the club provides a welcoming environment for anyone looking to learn, connect with their culture, or "just have fun." She feels the club's growth is a testament to the community's willingness to seek new experiences.  

"I describe the club as one giant family. It's a good-natured atmosphere where no one's there to put you down or make fun of you. Everyone will encourage you to get into the dance and give it your all. You can embrace your culture, and if you are away from home, it's a way to tap in and have that sense of belonging on campus,” she said.  

In addition to its growth in membership, Leveille credits the Institute for expanding its profile on campus. In the spring, the AfroDance Team had just celebrated its first anniversary and was offered the chance to perform at halftime of a men's basketball game. 

The AfroDance Team practices twice weekly at the Exhibition Hall and performs throughout the semester. For Leveille, it provides a break from the stresses of day-to-day student life.    

"It's really important to have organizations like AfroDance at Georgia Tech because it's really easy to feel isolated while in college. You're surrounded by people, but you can get so caught up in keeping up academically that you don't have the chance to branch out, and this team is a great way to expand your inner circle,” she said.  

This semester, the team will perform at the Dance Company at Georgia Tech showcase on Nov. 2 and the annual ASA Taste of Africa event on Nov. 22. Students interested in joining can follow the AfroDance Team on Instagram and join its GroupMe for information about weekly practices on Fridays and Sundays at 7 p.m.