Hart House is a rare space where artists work on their jump shot, engineers make music, scientists strut the stage and athletes debate the great issues of the day. University of Toronto student Gladwell Nyokabi Muchuku illustrates exactly how students break out of academic silos and conventional boundaries to explore talents outside of their studies.
Gladwell is pursuing a major in human biology with double minors in immunology and medical anthropology. But at Hart House, she shares her expertise in a completely different arena: She is a co-lead dance instructor and workshop leader of the bi-weekly Afrobeat Tik Tok 101 dance class, led by the Centre for International Experience (CIE), hosted at the House and presented by Black Futures.
“In addition to dance, this program, in which all workshops are student led, provides an opportunity for peer-to-peer engagement for international students,” Zoe Dille, manager, Dialogue & Expression, points out. “Socializing after the dance instruction, while sampling African or African-inspired cuisines, is key. That’s where a lot of the conversation takes place, where people get to know each other.”
Gladwell discusses bridging these two worlds as she pursues, and shares, her passion for dance.
Gladwell discovered Hart House in her second year, while looking for a place to study that was open within pandemic restrictions but not overly crowded. “Honestly, I stumbled upon Hart House. I went to the Library and found it to be really nice with a pleasing aesthetic,” she says. Later, when a friend began working at the House, she began visiting more often.
How did the idea of teaching dance classes begin?
Dance was a part of Gladwell’s life for quite some time. She was on an Afro dance team in high school where she learned to perform, make formations and teach.
The concept of teaching at Hart House evolved from a U of T club, the Afro-Dance and Culture Club “Odelia Bempah, Program Coordinator, International Student Development Programs at CIE, reached out to the Club. She wanted us to host one of the workshops she was doing. She had us in mind.” The program had increased in frequency since it moved to Hart House.
Gladwell’s dance class, co-led by Francis Cudjoe and Sanjana Lyall, took off. “Last year, we did one or two of them. This semester, we’ve been doing it since September, and it has become more consistent — like, every month we’ve done two!”
What are the classes like? In a nutshell, informal and fun. “These are opportunities for people to come in, even if they don't have any knowledge of, or experience in, Afro dance. We pick a trending TikTok dance that's Afrobeat [from West Africa] or Amapiano [from South Africa] then break it down, step by step. By the end of it, after two hours, you'll have a whole piece of choreography that's around 30 seconds in length!”
Seeing previously shy participants shine is her favourite part of teaching the class and related workshop: “For me, it's all about the before and after. I love seeing people their first time, feeling a little bit intimidated, scared and nervous. A lot of them have this idea that they can't dance. But by the end of it, they're like pros! They're perfect. They're doing so well. You can see how excited they are. I love this! It's so rewarding.”
U of T Creates an Environment where Diversity of Passions Can Be Developed
When asked how she balances her academic life in the sciences with dance at Hart House, the fourth-year student says, “One of the amazing things about being at U of T is the fact that I have an opportunity to engage with multiple different subjects. I'm able to focus on my science studies, attend those classes, but I can also go to Hart House and use the dance studio or teach classes. Having the ability to do both of these things, in a place that provides the resources for both, makes it easy for me.”
We're trying to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to express themselves. — Gladwell Nyokabi Muchuku
Hart House is an ideal facilitator, says Gladwell. “What does Hart House mean to me? An opportunity to do the things I love. It has played a big role in the fact that I'm able to do these dance workshops, to book the studio rooms and do the things I need to do — express that part of me that’s not entwined with my studies.”
Loved Working with Black Futures Programming
Gladwell has enjoyed getting to know the team at Hart House. “It's been amazing. Working with Black Futures and programming truly helps to build community. I'm very glad that I'm able to work with them, especially now, being in my final undergrad year … It’s an opportunity to do something big, something I really enjoy, before I graduate.”
A Message for Those Feeling Unsure as to Their Dancing Prowess
She encourages potential participants to “just explore and see if they enjoy it. It’s very beginner friendly. Everyone’s welcome.”
What does Hart House mean to me? An opportunity to do the things we love. — Gladwell Nyokabi Muchuku
She tells people not to overthink it. Just do it. “A lot of the time, people feel like they're the only ones coming in as a beginner, but I can guarantee there's a lot of people who are coming in, who have never done it before.”
Her goal is to ensure that each participant excels. “We're not trying to just pass it. We're trying to make sure that everyone gets an opportunity to express themselves and to enjoy it as well!”
Learn more about Black Futures programming and Afro Beat Tik Tok 101.