Artform, rhythmic beats, costumes and music culminate within Ohio State dance groups to promote diversity.

Alternately, the rhythmic pulses and the sound of experiencing foreign culture creates a hypnotizing energy.

“We explore different types of music like hard rock and apply our hip-hop style of dance,” said Shubha Singh, a sophomore in biology and DanceLinx dancer. “We have different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures.”

DanceLinx is an OSU dance team that focuses on hip-hop styles and rhythms but also works to promote ideals of integrity, responsibility and good attitudes, Singh said.

OSU hosts a diverse collection of dance teams with varying styles that range from hip-hop to Oriental Folk. Multi-racial groups form around music and a passion for dance to create teams that promote diversity and cultural awareness.

“We present a combination of Oriental styles to show different diversities to people through ethnic dances from Mongolia, Korea, China and Southeast Asia,” said Becky Lu, advisor of Oriental Folk dance.

Other OSU dance groups that present cultural dances include the Ballroom Dance Team and Worldwide Folk dance. The Ballroom Dance team has a concentration on Latino culture with dances like rumba, cha-cha and tango.

The Worldwide Folk Dancers showcase Romanian, Mexican and Oriental folk dances. Some of their dances include Mexican dances such as Los chiapaneces, Los viejitos, Las sandunga, La bamba and El jarabe tapatilo.

“Our purpose is to practice, learn and present authentic ethnic dances from around the world,” said Bill Stewart, leader of Worldwide Folk dance.

Presenting cultural aspects like dance to people helps them understand the culture, said Jenny Liu, lead dancer for Oriental Folk.

This cultural understanding breeds unity and breaks down stereotypes.

“We want to change stereotypes about hip-hop and dance,” said Latoya King, president of DanceLinx. “In a show you see everyone’s personality, but there’s only one team. Our motto is ‘one chain, many linx.'”

Teamwork is a priority within dance; a parallel to diversity because people have to work together. Many of the dance groups emphasize teamwork as a primary goal.

“Mutual respect is definitely key to everything, it’s all about working together with one another,” said Adam Salviani, officer for Ballroom dance team.

Principles like respect, discipline and a positive attitude are key to enjoying dance.

“The door is a threshold, once you cross it your attitude should be positive. We don’t need inner-negativity,” King said.

Many of the dancers gain experience and enjoyment from performing.

“I just enjoy dance,” Liu said. “I can just forget all my troubles, unhappiness and work.”

Self-expression and creativity help dancers realize their art. The Oriental Folk dance team performs to compositions by famous Asian groups who tell love stories. The group choreographs dances to reveal the story to the audience.

A dance called “Dai” from an isolated South China mountain region imitates a peacock. The costumes for the dance are an iridescent sky blue with embroidered detail. The dance showcases the movement and beauty of the peacock.

Another artistic oriental dance is from Uygur, an ethnic group that is known for its kindness. The dance movement is very quick because the people are very outgoing, Lu said.

Warm hearts and outgoing natures are kindred spirits to many of those in the swing club.

“All my friends are from swing club,” said Desiree Roffers, theater major and swing club officer. “We hang out afterwards and it’s a great way to meet people.”

The social aspect of dance brings diversity to a personal level for many performers.

“We have 10-12 foreign exchange students and through it all we’ve become good friends,” Salviani said. “If that’s not diversity, I don’t know what is.”