Hampton, Va (March 24, 2026) – Inside the newly renovated Terpsichorean dance studio at Hampton University, history was not simply discussed. It was embodied.
The arrival of Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Robert Garland to work with the University’s Terpsichorean Dance Company marked a moment layered with meaning. It was a convergence of two pioneering institutions whose very existence reshaped the possibilities for Black dancers in America.
Founded in 1934, the Terpsichorean Dance Company stands as one of the oldest African American touring dance companies in the nation, a distinction earned through decades of discipline, cultural expression, and global representation. Across generations, the ‘Terps’ have carried Hampton’s artistic legacy into spaces where Black excellence was once unwelcome.
That same spirit of disruption and brilliance defines the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Established in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the company emerged as both protest and promise. It insisted that ballet and classical dance forms, long guarded by exclusivity, could expand to reflect the full spectrum of human beauty. The company also blends the classic ballet dance style with contemporary dance.
That philosophy was unmistakably present in Garland’s instruction on the evening of March 23.
With approximately 16 dancers at the barre, he began with classical ballet warm-ups, guiding them through port de bras, pliés, and relevés with intentional precision. His voice moved easily between correction and reflection, grounding technique in truth.
“Ballet was not built for us,” he told the room, his tone steady but resolute. “But that does not mean it does not belong to us.”
The words lingered as the dancers continued, their movements sharpening with each repetition.
Garland challenged them to understand that mastery is not imitation. It is ownership.
“You are not here to fit into the world of dance,” he said. “You are here to expand it.”
As the class progressed from foundational exercises into more dynamic combinations, the energy shifted. The dancers moved with greater confidence, layering their individuality into each phrase. What began as structure evolved into expression.
“This is history. Hampton’s Terpsichorean Dance Company embodies what the Dance Theatre of Harlem represents,” said Garland.
“Each dancer here told a story about their personal story and journey. By the way that they danced, I could tell that each one is a dynamic student. That speaks to the academic rigor they are learning in the classroom, and they expressed that in the way they move. They are all thinkers and Hampton should be proud of developing these great minds and performers.”
In the corner of the studio, Executive Director Anna Glass of the Dance Theatre of Harlem observed closely. Alongside her stood Terps Creative Director Crystal Neal, whose presence reflected both pride and purpose.
“This experience bridges generations of excellence,” said Creative Director Crystal Neal. “ The students are very deserving and appreciative of the experience. It reinforces that our dancers are not on the outside of this art form—they are essential to its evolution.”
Glass echoed:
“It is a phenomenal honor to be here. Our founder, Mr. Mitchell, felt strongly about connecting to HBCUs. This is like a homecoming for us, and it is very familial.”
That sense of belonging was not abstract. It was visible in the room, in the lifted chins, the extended lines, the quiet determination settling into each dancer’s posture.
“This experience represents the intersection of scholarship and artistry,” said Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Education. “Our students are not only learning technique, they are engaging with history, identity, and the power of representation in ways that will shape how they lead and create in the world.”
For Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams, the moment extended beyond the studio.
“At Hampton, we are intentional about creating spaces where our students encounter excellence at the highest level,” he shared. “This visit represents more than a master class. It is an affirmation of our students’ potential and a continuation of a legacy that refuses to be limited.”
By the final combination, the room carried a different weight. Not heavier, but deeper. The dancers were no longer simply executing choreography. They were inhabiting it.
In that space, the past and future of dance stood side by side.
The Terps, with their enduring legacy, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, with its revolutionary vision, did more than intersect. They affirmed one another. They reminded everyone present that artistry, when rooted in truth and access, becomes something far greater than performance.
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution recognized for pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer research, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton remains a leading engine of innovation and workforce development.
Founded in 1868, Hampton serves a diverse community of scholars from 44 states and 32 territories. The university is committed to academic excellence, global citizenship, and preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu
For media inquiries, contact the Office of University Relations at universityrelations@hamptonu.edu
