Dancing with School Spirit: Meredith Angel Dance Team

Stephanie Melvin, a Class of 2024 fashion merchandising and design major, has formed the Meredith Angel Dance Team (MADT), a group that she describes as “a performative jazz-based group that promotes school spirit.”

Meredith College is home to several dance teams, including Meredith College Dance Crew (MCDC), Meredith Dance Theatre (MDT), Meredith Improv, Meredith Jazz and Tap Company (MJTCo) and ”Fierce, International, Rhythmic, Experience” (FIRE). These teams offer a range of dance styles from hip hop to modern dance. These groups are all performance teams, with MCDC performing at basketball games. When asked why she wanted to form a new team, Melvin said, “I started the dance team because I realized that there wasn’t a spirit group that performed at [most] sporting events. I was confused [as to] why and decided that we needed some sort of cheer or dance group so Meredith girls didn’t feel the need to go to NC State to audition for their team.” She also expressed the need for a dance team that wasn’t composed solely of dance majors and is inclusive of all students on campus.

This dance team has been formed in hopes of promoting physical wellness and fostering a community of support for all on campus. This isn’t just the dream of Melvin, but also that of her Co-Captain Campbell Reid, ‘25, and fundraising chair Freya Dahlgren, ‘24. Melvin wanted to add that none of this would have been possible without those two students by her side.

The Meredith Angel Dance Team is open for anyone to join, but students must audition to perform in the halftime dances. MADT meets every Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Weatherspoon Dance Studio.

By Anna Prince, Staff Writer