In just one week in Beijing and at the China University of Mining and Technology Beijing, the African American Dance Company experienced so many enlightening moments. A lecture demonstration for Chinese students, a drum master class and dance classes, a collaborative concert, and visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall were just some of… Read more »
China 2016
Students reflect on China in IDS article
Indiana Daily Student is IU’s student-run newspaper. Professor and director of the African American Dance Company Iris Rosa is strict about how her dancers wear their hair. Black-, white- and short-haired dancers alike get their hair braided in cornrows. So when the dance company traveled to Beijing during winter break to explore China and perform… Read more »
AADC featured in Inside IU Bloomington
Inside IU Bloomington is a web publication sharing news with IU faculty, staff, and alumni. While most IU students were heading home for winter break, students in IU’s African American Dance Company were boarding a 13-hour flight to Beijing. The 14 students and four IU faculty engaged in a weeklong cultural exchange with the School… Read more »
“Would I do it again? Yep!” Professor Rosa reflects on China
How time flies! AADC has been back more than a week already from our unprecedented trip to China. I have so many things to say, but it would probably take most of the blog. What I have learned from the moment that we were asked to represent our units during this remarkable trip is that… Read more »
For IU students, Chinese partners “made the trip”
Meeting my partner Fan Yun was life altering. He expressed very sensitive topics to me and helped me understand just a piece of his life. We learned that we are both very open-minded and aware that we completely express the emotions that we feel. Although we live very different lives, we still connected with one another—and… Read more »
Saying goodbye to Beijing, staying connected to friends
The last day was very emotional. The night before we had gone out on the town to experience some nightlife with our newfound Chinese friends, so I had slept in a little later than usual. I woke up around 10 a.m., took a shower, and then started to pack—of course having more things than I… Read more »
Day 5 – Climbing the Great Wall and celebrating new friendships
What do dancers do when they visit the Great Wall of China? On our final evening, Ms. Yingli arranged for us to attend a tea ceremony and farewell dinner with our Chinese student partners. The tea ceremony itself was mesmerizing. The woman who performed the demonstration flourished her hands over the pots and cups as… Read more »
Day 4 – Dance concert unites American and Chinese art and culture
Words cannot express my emotions at this moment. We had our show today, and it was a massive success. It was clear by the audience’s initial reaction to my collaboration piece with Camille and Jalyn that they had never seen anything like AADC before. I don’t think they had any idea what to make of… Read more »
Day 3 – Touring the Forbidden City and tasting Peking duck
Today was definitely something to remember. We saw things that we only read about in textbooks and see in movies, but we never think we’ll actually be able to see them and experience them in real life. Never did I think I would be in China visiting the Forbidden City. Not only that, but the… Read more »
Day 2 – sharing African diasporic dance and music, learning Chinese traditions
Today was a big reflection day. Dance was the main theme, and it didn’t disappoint. First was Professor Rosa’s class. It was interesting to see the Chinese students uncomfortable at first. They loosened up after a little while and some were picking up the moves quickly. Professor Rosa definitely did not go easy on them… Read more »