Here’s the inspo behind the Finest choreography on campus

Last Thursday, Elon’s Finest Dance Team took the stage in their classic all-black, white sneaker dress at McKinnon Hall and showed the audience exactly how they get their groove on. 

This Fall Showcase was one of the two performances the hip-hop based dance team formally hosts throughout the year. But, chances are, you have probably already seen them guest-perform at various events on campus. Yeah, they’re a pretty hot commodity. 

Since September, the team has spent several hours practicing each week to perfect and become satisfied with the visual presentation of each choreographer’s piece. Kendall Mumma ’20, Hannah Simpson ’22, Carolee Wagner ’21 and Shekinah Reese ’21 each choreographed pieces that were different in style, but equally as impressive. 

Mumma, the President of Elon’s Finest, said the team was thrilled to be able to showcase their hard work alongside other talented organizations at the showcase. 

“I’m just really excited to show off all the hard work we’ve done throughout the semester,” she said. “There are some really cool dances with old and new music and I’m really excited to collaborate with the other organizations that are performing.” 

The audience was not only treated with the insane talent of Finest’s dancers, but also with performances by one of Elon’s all-female a capella groups, Sweet Signatures, and DanceWorks. 

Following each of the super fine (pun = definitely intended) performances, the show’s ever-so-charismatic emcee Zion Bright had the audience engaged with choreographer fun facts and team trivia, which concluded with a dance-off between the final two tied contestants. According to Bright, determining the winner by way of a dance-off only seemed fitting, given the occasion. 

Bright even had the audience laughing with his playful cameo in the final piece of the night, “It was me,” which was choreographed by one of Finest’s favorites, Reese. 

But, since we’re assuming you’re here because you were intrigued by the title, here’s the scoop on the inspiration behind two choreographer’s pieces at this year’s Fall Showcase… 

Kendall Mumma ’20

For Mumma, the music she chose to choreograph to, “Right Thurr” by Chingy, was inspired by the movie “Robots.” Mumma said that, since seeing the movie, she hasn’t been able to shake the song from her choreography bucket list. 

“I’ve just always liked the song ‘Right Thurr.’ Ever since the movie ‘Robots’ I’ve jammed to that song, so I’m excited to finally do a dance to it,” she said. “I just think everyone has fun during it.”

Mumma, who loves Finest because of the outlet it provides her and her teammates with to be “creative and goofy,” defines the style of her piece as “groovy hip-hop.” 

As far as inspiration for her choreography goes, Mumma wanted to highlight her teammates’ strengths and give them an opportunity to truly enjoy themselves on stage. 

“I really like choreographing everyone’s different strengths and adding parts that I know everyone will have fun doing and that everyone will feel comfortable doing, but also confident at the same time,” she said.

Hannah Simpson ’22

Perhaps the inspiration for Finest’s costume chair Hannah Simpson’s piece was to switch up her conventional, go-to style. 

Historically, every dance that Simpson has choreographed has been, what she describes as a “street style, in-your-face dance,” she said. However, her piece this semester, which was danced to “U Say” by GoldLink, showcased a different, more “groovy” vibe.

“The dance that I choreographed this semester has a completely different feel than my dance from last year. It is very groovy and allows us to just have fun while we are performing it to the audience,” she said. “I wanted to try something different that we could add some sass to.” 

Choreographing has always been a passion of Simpson’s. But seeing her pieces come to life on stage by her fellow teammates is what she loves most about choreographing for Finest. 

“Throughout my entire dance career I have always created dances for fun in my living room, but now I can actually see them in action,” she said. “It really gives me clarity on why I love dancing because when I can put my own style and movement into a dance and see it come alive, it is an awesome experience.” 

If you weren’t able to attend, don’t fret. You can catch Elon’s Finest at various school-wide events throughout the year and at their showcase in the spring! To stay up-to-date, click here and follow!