Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Have you ever heard a song that just feels like it’s been simmering on a back porch on a hot summer night? A sound that’s equal parts heartache and joy, grit and groove? If so, you’ve likely stumbled upon the rich and resonant world of Southern Soul music . More than just a genre, Southern Soul is a cultural touchstone, a musical tapestry woven from the threads of gospel, blues, and early rhythm and blues, all seasoned with the unique flavor of the American South. It’s a sound that speaks directly to the soul, and its legacy continues to thrive today. The Genesis: Where Did This Feeling Come From? Born in the turbulent 1960s, against the backdrop of civil rights struggles and profound social change, Southern Soul wasn't created in a vacuum. It was a potent musical alchemy: The Gospel Fire: The fervent call-and-response vocals, the emotional intensity, and the soulful cries of the Hammond organ owe a deep debt to the Black church. Many Southern Soul pioneers honed their voices in ...

We often think of purpose as this grand, overarching mission in life, something we need to discover through deep introspection and perhaps a bit of existential angst. But what if purpose wasn't so elusive? What if we could learn a thing or two about it from the very beings who seem to navigate the world with an innate sense of joy and engagement: children? I recently stumbled upon a fascinating article on Psychology Today, " What Kids Can Teach Us About Purpose ," and it sparked an immediate connection to something near and dear to my heart: dance. It struck me how profoundly the act of dancing, whether in a structured class or simply moving freely to music, embodies so many of the seemingly effortless ways children find meaning and purpose in their day-to-day lives. Think about the sheer joy a child experiences when they run, jump, or twirl. It's pure, unadulterated fun. Dance, at its core, offers the same. The feeling of your body moving in rhythm, expressing the m...

That sudden widening of the eyes, the dawning smile, the almost audible "click" in understanding – every dance teacher cherishes witnessing those "aha!" moments in their students, regardless of the learning space. Whether guiding a beginner through their first steps in a community hall or challenging an experienced dancer with a new concept in a park pavilion, these flashes of insight are not only rewarding to observe but are also fundamental to the learning process. Intriguingly, neuroscience is beginning to shed light on what happens in the brain during these breakthroughs. As reported in a PsyPost article, “Neuroscientists discover how “aha” moments rewire the brain to enhance memory” , these moments are associated with significant neural activity that can actually rewire the brain to enhance memory and understanding. But these neurological sparks don't happen in a vacuum. In the dance learning environment, they are often ignited by specific teaching approac...