AfroBeatz With Javonne Gbenyon-Spearman

Join us for AFROBEATZ , a dance style inspired by the undulating hip movements in East and West Africa dance cultures. This fun, high-energy class will give you a work out and a positive spirit, along with powerful steps and strong core-based movements.

AfroBeat dance focuses on the powerful, high energy styles that emerged from urban environments across Africa, including Coupé Décalé from Ivory Coast, Azonto from Ghana and Soukous from Congo. The music is often fast with a blend of heavy percussion, vocals, and sounds influenced by Yoruba music, house music and funk. If you have a lapa (African wrap), bring it, although it’s not required for this workshop. All levels are welcomed!

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Originally from Liberia, Javonne M. Gbenyon-Spearman had an early interest in learning dance genres from diverse cultures. Her college studies included the Dunham technique as well as folk/traditional dance forms at North Carolina A&T University – where she received dual degrees, with honor – and abroad in Kingston, Jamaica. Currently, she teaches West African and Dunham Technique as a teaching artist for Charlotte Ballet’s OutReach Program and is a kindergarten teacher and the cheer/dance coach for middle school girls at Sugar Creek Charter School as well as an active professional dance member of MufukaWorks Dance Company, where she trains and teaches dance education classes. A mother and wife, Spearman tells her students that “dancing with their feet is one thing, the easiest thing to do, but to dance with your heart is another thing, the best thing to show!”