Briana is part of our Ambassador Community and lives in Portsmouth. In this blog she shares her love for dance,  particularly Afro Dance - a genre that helps her to feel connected with her African heritage.

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Hey there, I'm Briana, and if there's one thing that gets me going and my feet moving, it's the world of dance. The beats, the rhythms, the electrifying movements - they're all part of what makes me tick. But more than that, it's the diversity of dance, the unique languages it speaks, and the stories it tells that make it so captivating. 

Let me take you on a journey through my dance world, one step at a time...

Afro Dance: Celebrating the heartbeat of Africa

Afro dance is a vibrant, soulful celebration of the African spirit, and it's close to my heart. This dance style is a colourful part of African culture, and you can find it across the continent. But you can’t see it so much in Portsmouth like you can in London.

My roots trace back to Zimbabwe, and being a part of the Afro dance community feels like connecting with my heritage.  I love moves like the Shaku Shaku, where you cross your arms and open them as though calling to someone. 

Afro music consists of really hardcore hitting beats , smooth melodies and amazing vocals. My favourite artists from Afro music include : Wizkid, Tems, Davido, Simi! 

These artists are very much well known but not in Portsmouth! I also love Hip Hop as it always is a way for me to relieve my stress due to exams and other things. But it's more than just choreography; it's a language my body understands. 

Hip Hop: Where sharp meets smooth

Hip Hop is a powerhouse of diversity in the dance world. It's like a mixed playlist of dance styles, featuring breakdancing, street dancing, and more.  Breakdancing and street dancing is very popular.

Hip Hop is unique because it's sharp and edgy. The clever footwork and the swagger of the moves give it a distinct character. When I dance to Hip Hop, it's like I'm telling a story with my body.  Fast, precise movements.

Step Dancing: Creating rhythmic poetry

Step dancing is another dance style that keeps me on my toes, quite literally. It's like creating rhythmic poetry with your body. The beats come from your own movements - the claps, stomps, and snaps. 

Step is all about using your hands and feet to create a beat especially with the boots that they wear to make all the sounds!  Step is a very advanced type of style which usually takes years to learn but it didn't take me that long to pick it up until I loved it! I also participate in Dance Live which is a Portsmouth school dance competition and I have done it over 4 times but unfortunately this year is my last year of doing it unless I give myself the chance to do it at college!!

Why I'm passionate about dance

So, why am I so passionate about dance? It's not just about the choreography, the moves, or the rhythm. It's about the stories each dance tells. It's the diverse cultures and histories woven into each step, making dance a unique and powerful form of expression.

Dance is my way of telling stories, sharing emotions, and connecting with people from all walks of life.  Every week, when I head to my dance school in the evening, it's a day I look forward to. 

Dance is more than just a hobby for me. It's something I want to build a career on with singing. 

So, let's dance, because in the world of dance, every step is a story waiting to be told.

Music

Music is basically my life and therapy. My music tastes have always been afro music because it's something cultural and diverse.

I have had experiences of being able to perform a piece of Afro music at my school assembly which was such an amazing opportunity for me. This managed to bring the afro music community to other people who have never heard of it before.

I can't wait to continue on my ambassador journey encompassing love of music and dance.

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Thanks to Briana for this excellent account of dance styles and music genres. We love to hear about the passions of our ambassadors. If you have something to share with this community, please get in touch with our Ambassador Community Lead - Rabina [email protected] to talk through your idea! Rabina will help you think about what you want to say and share some top tips for writing a blog. It's a great way to get involved with the Ambassador Community and something to put on your CV too!