A new, inclusive dance group to start this semester and an interview with its founder.
By Gabriela Griggs
AC&T Editor
AC&T
A new dance club called “UnderDawgz” has begun rehearsing on campus. Founded by senior dance major Ramiya Jackson, the group looks to provide students across departments a chance to connect with one another and share their passion for dance.
“I feel that UnderDawgz will bridge the gap between people that are majoring/minoring in the arts and the people who are not,” Jackson said. “This will give people… a chance to break free, let loose and have fun while learning dance and not having the feeling of… being judged or made fun of.”
This group’s formation comes from a new Winthrop decision to charge students extra above the 15 credit hour threshold.
“I realized that moment forward that I would have to pay to perform if I was casted in dance pieces for Winthrop Dance Theatre because I always hit 15 credit hours or more every semester. That opened my eyes to what others may be going through,” Jackson said.
Beyond providing students with a cost-free creative outlet, UnderDawgz also prioritizes a positive and inclusive environment for its members.
“I created UnderDawgz to create a welcoming and inclusive environment not only for people [who already know] how to dance but for people that [have] little to no dance experience. The purpose of UnderDawgz is to provide [a supportive environment] for individuals to explore and participate in dance, regardless of prior experience or skill level, [and] to offer affordable and accessible opportunities for students to learn, train, and grow in various styles of dance without financial barriers,” Jackson said.
The group looks to explore all aspects of dance, including performance skills. UnderDawgz combines various dance styles and techniques in an effort to provide the most beneficial experience to its participants.
Additionally, Jackson, as a leader, brings a vast personal history of dance experience to her group.
“My dance experience [consists] of praise dance with my church, attending a magnet art school for dance and chorus through 6th-8th grade, being a member of my high school dance team for 3 years, being a part [of the] Winthrop Dance Theatre and department during my time here at Winthrop, being a member of Elite Dynasty for 2 years… and now being a member of [the] Winthrop Spirit Squad,” Jackson said.
Jackson brings her experience from both inside and outside of campus to her leadership. Alongside her dance major, Jackson is pursuing a minor in educational studies. She aims to use both of these academic skills to not just lead the UnderDawgz, but also in her future career.
“Since 2023, I have been brought in to choreograph for a church’s praise dance team and taught at Richburg Dance Academy for 2 years. I feel that my years of training along with my practice to become certified as a dance educator in K-12 allows me to have a different approach on how to teach dance to people that [have] little to no experience. It allows me to be patient and able to know how to accommodate a range of people that [want] to learn dance while also having a great time,” Jackson said.
As for the group’s goals this semester, they consist of performances, regular practice, and even potential guest artist collaborations. UnderDawgz aims to not just hone skills, but also provide moments for campus to witness what the club has been working on.
“I just want everyone to know that there are safe places on campus where you can be free and let loose, especially when feeling [stressed.] I was always told that when things are going wrong in life, or you’re feeling stressed, to just let loose and dance it out!” Jackson said.
Students interested in joining can contact the group via Instagram, @underdawgz_wu.
