Student-Led Dance Groups
Dancing at Rochester
Ballet Performance Group
The Ballet Performance Group (BPG) provides an outlet for individuals who seek to learn and perform all styles of dance while encouraging an awareness and appreciation of classical ballet. The group’s foremost goal is to keep ballet technique alive by using it as a foundation for all of the styles they perform. BPG welcomes all levels of experience and offers dances that challenge and enhance the diverse abilities of its members. Visit the Ballet Performance Group website for more information.
Bhangra
The purpose of the University of Rochester’s Bhangra team is to promote the North Indian Punjabi dance form of Bhangra to the Rochester Community. In addition, their priority is to maintain a competitive and skillful dance team that enters intercollegiate competitions. Visit the UR Bhangra website for more information.
Celtic
Celtic was formed in 2507 by two champion Irish dancers to spread Irish culture at the University of Rochester. The organization’s goal is to educate students about Irish traditions by teaching music and dance. The city of Rochester is a great resource for Irish heritage, as it is home to many great dance schools and Irish musicians. Visit the Celtic website for more information.
Freeflow
Freeflow is a club based in street dance and open choreography, founded in 2023. We strive to strengthen the street dance culture on campus, and to create a safe space for people of various dance levels to explore street dance and open choreography. Street dance is a term that encompasses all dance styles that emerged from social gatherings in public spaces, instead of commercial studios. Some examples that you might be familiar with are: hip hop, waacking, house dance, breakdancing, popping and locking. Open choreography refers to choreography that is not restricted to one specific style, and is shaped by the choreographer's own creative choices, such as how they interpret the musicality of the song, and their preferred dance styles. Visit Freeflow's website for more information.
Indulgence Dance Team
The Black Students' Union Indulgence Dance Team is a group of students who share a passion for hip hop and modern dance. Visit the Indulgence website for more information.
Louvre
Louvre is composed of advanced, technically trained dancers with extensive backgrounds in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. The group aims to promote the artistry and creative integrity of choreography and dance, as well as bridge the University community with outside performing artists. Louvre is dedicated to artistic development by means of time-intensive training, competitive performance, and an intimate group environment. For more information see the Louvre website.
Ma'Frisah
Ma'Frisah means My African Dance in the Asante language of Ghana. Ma’Frisah is a co-ed African dance team that aims to show traditional and modern dance forms from western and southern Africa. The group has shared these dance forms within the University of Rochester campus as well as the greater Rochester community since 2011. Ma’Frisah hopes to continue to spread African dance cultures in order to show the diversity of cultural groups on campus as well as promote the inclusion of individuals of various backgrounds.
Swing Dance Club
The club was formed to enrich and create opportunities for the University community to learn about, and dance, swing. See the Swing Dance Club site for more information.
Raas Team
The University of Rochester Raas team's purpose is to enrich the Rochester community by showcasing the South Asian folk dances of Garba and Raas. In addition, the group strives to build a cultured, accomplished, and competitive dance team that participates in intercollegiate performances and competitions. Visit the University Rass website for more information.
Radiance Dance Theatre
Radiance Dance Theatre is dedicated to sharing a passion for dance with the University community. Radiance is open to different styles of dance and dancers of any level. Members choreograph their own dances in styles ranging from jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern, and tap. Radiance is a great club for anyone who loves to dance or is interested in learning. For more information see the Radiance Dance Theatre website.
Salseros
To showcase Latino culture, the Spanish and Latino Students' Association Salseros performs traditional and modern dance styles. These dances embody a mixture of African, Indigenous and European cultures. All dances are student-choreographed. Visit the Salseros site for more information.
Sihir Belly Dancing Ensemble
Sihir promotes belly dancing, also known as Middle Eastern dance, or raks sharki. The dance is a physical outlet for artistic expression and a fundamental element in body awareness, movement, understanding, and personal development. Sihir is open to anyone who wants to join regardless of gender, experience, or body type. For more information visit the Sihir Belly Dancing website.
Tinikling
Tinikling is a Filipino folk dance that originates from the island of Leyte. In this exciting fast-paced dance, two bamboo poles are hit on the ground twice and then struck together as the dancers move their feet between the poles. For more information visit the Filipino American Students' Association (FASA) website.
Additional Dance Groups
- Axum (Pan-African Student Association)
- Phoenix Fire (Chinese Student's Association)
- RICE Crew (Korean American Student's Association)
- Royals Dance Team
- UR Stylez
- Xclusive Step Team (Black Students' Union)