Whitley Auditorium burst at the seams with excitement Feb. 7 while unveiling an anthology of African works of art performed by Elon University students to celebrate Black History Month.

Directed by dance professor Jason Aryeh, the performance highlighted dance pieces learned by students who traveled to Ghana for the performing arts Winter Term program, in addition to pieces choreographed by junior dance majors Brenna Dames and Sophie McNeill.

This performance has been a long-time goal of Aryeh’s.

“This really was something I was thinking about since I moved to Elon, and I wanted to make it become a reality,” he said. “My idea of embracing history is through performance, and I wanted people to come and experience the different ways of embracing history.”

The show, titled “Embracing History to Spring Forward,” showcased a variety of performances to celebrate history through movement, singing and poetry.

The performance was also memorable for the students who were part of the cast.

“We have Black History Month celebrations all the time at Elon, but it’s new that it’s a dance program, and it’s something out of the box,” said junior dance major Danielle Biggs.

This performance was unique in that individuals with  wide ranges of dance experience were included in the performance.

“I love the idea that anyone can dance,” McNeill said. “I know people were both non-majors and majors that went to Ghana and just showing their love of dance and showing that anybody can dance, I think it is an amazing thing for the audience to leave with.”

Additionally, the preparation required by this performance fostered an overall sense of community and inclusiveness among the members of the cast.

“There was just a sense of togetherness in everything we did,” Biggs said.

Although the cast was diverse, there was a unity that shined throughout the performance.

“Culturally, getting other races and ethnicities to empathize with another race, I think is a really important thing,” McNeill said.

Once the performance ended, it was evident that the audience was touched by the demonstration of African culture and the passion that inspired the performance.

“I definitely hope the audience left with joy,” Biggs said. “I know one of the pieces was called ‘Celebration’ and this was a celebration of black history in America and in the world.”

The overall message of the performance was clear: Black History Month is a celebration to remember the past and embrace history.