The University of Maine caters to an array of interests and talents in the form of on-campus organizations. One in particular that has gained popularity is the student-led Hip Hop Club. President Savana Bradford has been a part of the club since her first year and has found that the club offers an outlet for expression and a consistent challenge to her skills.
“Hip Hop Club is an organisation where students and other community members can come and learn the style of hip hop dance. Our organization is unique because we promote those of all levels of dance experience to come and join. It is a club on campus, but our members make it a community and embrace everyone that joins us whether it is for one Sunday or an entire semester,” Bradford said.
Hip Hop Club officers teach participants unique moves and styles that are often fast-paced and complicated.
“Hip hop is special because of the diversity within the style. As a choreographer and a dancer, I am never done exploring styles, movements and experimenting with hip hop. It has so much energy and performance quality to it that it gets the dancers and the audience excited and wanting more,” Bradford said.
Bradford is a third-year chemical engineering student with a minor in dance. Having been an officer for two years, she has found that the club has introduced her to a special community that is different from other groups on campus.
“I just fell in love with the people and what the club represented, and wanted to contribute in the best way that I could,” Bradford said.
Because of the atmosphere the troupe creates, the club has a very welcoming community that changes participants. Hip hop is a very inviting style to newcomers. The diversity and intricacy is appealing and keeps people on their feet. The style is dense according to Bradford. The fast-paced dance can be hard to get the first time and it is common for beginners to be intimidated.
To keep morale high, the Hip Hop Club has cracked the code of enthusiasm. Attendees can expect to enter a judgment-free zone with all levels of dancers. For the dancer, it is a time to forget whatever was bothering you that week and have fun for two hours.
“We encourage all of them to support one another, and vocalize to each other that support,” Bradford said. “When someone is dancing, the whole room is cheering for them. These people have enthusiasm about dance, but more importantly, aim to build confidence in the people around them while they are doing what they love.”
“Last semester, our club had 63 members, but this semester we are looking at about 90 members. That is all due to the inclusive group we have that encourages people with all levels of experience to join us. Our No. 1 goal is for our members’ personal enjoyment as well as sharing our passion for dance,” Bradford said.
The club does not meet just for leisure purposes either; their hard work is all meant to lead up to a department showcase that occurs once a semester.
To join, Bradford says just show up. Hip Hop Club meets from 8 to 10 p.m. on Sundays in the dance studio in the Class of 1944 Hall.
Their next show case is April 27-29 at 7:30 in Hauck Auditorium.
Email umainehiphopclub@maine.edu to join an emailing list to get you all the information you need. Or, check out their instagram @umhiphopclub.
