With so many dance groups at Tufts, from Sarabande, to Spirit of Color, to Envy and even Tufts Dance Collective, experienced and amateur dancers alike have a number of options to consider.
TURBO, Tufts' only breakdance and hip-hop dance group, does not require previous experience - in fact, the group does not even hold auditions. In previous years, the group was predominantly made up of male members, but this semester the gender makeup of the group is changing.
Junior Cassie Burns, who joined TURBO last spring, said that it can be intimidating for women to join a breakdancing group. The dance style has often been considered uncomfortable for women since many of the moves require significant upper body strength.
Freshman Sofia Vizitiu explained that while it may be more difficult for women, this has not prevented women from participating.
"[It's] nothing that can't be overcome with practice," she told the Daily in an email.
Freshman Da Eul Kim, another new member, said that she has always thought that male dancers are more physically able to breakdance, and while it's encouraging that women are expressing interest, it should not be construed as an attempt just to break social stereotypes.
TURBO President Kevin Campbell said that during his first two years in TURBO there were no female dancers. Campbell added that he is glad to see more women expressing and acting on their interest in joining TURBO, since the group aims to be all-inclusive.
"Our mission is to provide a space for people passionate about hip-hop dance (particularly breaking) to learn from and share with one another," he told the Daily in an email.
Campbell attributed the increase in female interest entirely to Burns' recruitment of female dancers. Burns said that when she joined last semester, she instantly wanted to get more women involved. In an effort to do so she sent out an invitation through the group's e-list this September, encouraging women who had previously expressed interest to learn a piece she was working on.
Only expecting three or four responses, Burns wound up with eight dancers for her piece, all dancers who were not previously members of TURBO. The dance will be unveiled at their performance in December.
Junior Lisa Fukushima, who joined TURBO upon receiving Burns' invitation this fall, said that the Tufts community is probably not aware that there are now more women in TURBO.
Burns' goal with the all-female routine, however, is to remedy that misconception and promote even more female interest in the group. She added that she is already receiving positive feedback from the Tufts community.
Vizitiu said she is hopeful that the new all-female choreography will raise awareness of the group as well as break the stereotype that breakdancing is an all-male dance style.
Kim, however, is more hesitant. Despite the recent increase in female membership, Kim stated that she sometimes feels as though there is an invisible divide between male and female dancers that cannot be remedied.
According to Burns, it can be intimidating to ask someone you've never met how to do a particular move, whether male or female.
"If you're totally new to breaking, it can be intimidating to go up to someone you've never met and ask them to teach you what they're working on," Burns said. "Of course, anyone in the crew would be more than happy to do so, but that doesn't always make it any less nerve-wrecking."
Burns said that, no matter how nerve wrecking joining a new group is, it is extremely rewarding when the choreography comes together in performances. Kim added that she feels comfortable with the group atmosphere because the style is similar to the type of style she was used to dancing in high school.
According to Campbell, TURBO's small and close-knit group focuses more on learning from and teaching one another. The group has always fed off of one another's skill sets, with members using each other to build their skills, he said.
Campbell added that the lack of an audition for entry into the group means that TURBO has a wide range of skill levels amongst its members.
"The experience level in the group varies greatly, from members for whom this is their first time dancing to members who have upwards of six years under their belt," he said.
Burns said that the future of the group appears bright. She expressed interest in continuing to choreograph, although she was doubtful about doing another all-female dance.
"I don't foresee restricting my future pieces to being 'girls only,'" Burns said. "Unless, of course, people are interested in doing something like that again."
