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Hip Hop Educational Spotlight

 Hip Hop dance is a style of movement that emerged simultaneously in New York City and the West Coast in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and is deeply rooted in African American culture. Hip Hop dance is also part of a greater culture of hip hop that includes Deejaying, Graffiti, Emceeing, and Breaking. Join Bashaun Williams from SB Dance and Utah Valley University as he discusses the history and foundations of hip hop dance and then leads a short hip hop dance lesson.

 

 

Bashaun Williams

baushaunBashaun is a freelance dance artist & choreographer based in Salt Lake City. He started his formal dance training at the age of 16 in Lubbock, TX. In High school, he was captain of his Varsity Basketball team and a member of Ballet Lubbock’s pre-professional Company. After graduating in 2007, Bashaun moved to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah on both academic and artistic merit scholarships in the department of ballet. While at the U, he danced Principal and Soloist roles in the department’s resident company and graduated with honors in 2011.

Upon graduation, he joined Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in Salt Lake City. During his ten year stint with the company, he had the privilege of touring throughout the United States, Africa, France, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea as a performer and educator. Bashaun is currently a performer with SB Dance in Salt Lake City, a teacher at Ballet West Academy, and an Adjunct Professor at Utah Valley University.  He is forever grateful for the opportunity to perform, choreograph and collaborate within the wonderful community of Salt Lake City.

What People are Saying

The diversity of the dancers really spoke to my students! It was great to see boys and girls dancing, and different races. The high level of engagement was so refreshing and got students excited about thecontent.
This activity was valuable because it helped students make connections between dance, rhythm, healthy lifestyles, and expression. The students were impressed by the talent of the dancers and it was motivating to them.
Opportunities for art and expression are so limited at school but so essential and valuable for all students, especially those who struggle to learn through traditional methods. My Kindergarteners have been dancing since you left!
This was so engaging. I looked around the auditorium and every student was watching. Not one person was talking or distracted
This activity is valuable to teachers and students because it gives them a creative outlet. We need movement in the classroom to engage, energize and deepen student learning.
I got great ideas on how to incorporate movement into math and science lessons.
I loved how you made movement and exercise relatable to the students. The dancers were full of energy and there was very little down time so students stayed engaged.
Our children were captivated by the performance. They listened to you and they were learning without knowing. They usually giggle when bodies are shown and talked about. But the way you presented it was so tastefully done, they now do poses and movement around the room and outside. You brokesome barriers and they took that permission and literally ran with it!