{"id":17429,"date":"2023-04-30T09:05:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-30T13:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dancemogul.com\/news\/?p=17429"},"modified":"2024-11-16T08:24:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T13:24:56","slug":"aicha-diaby-dance-mogul-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dancemogul.com\/news\/aicha-diaby-dance-mogul-exclusive\/","title":{"rendered":"Aicha Diaby | Dance Mogul Exclusive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

“The 2023 NCPA Step Dance Championships<\/span> will be my first-ever step competition as I\u2019ve only put on performances. I am really looking forward to it as I\u2019ll be emersed in a new aspect of the step world that I\u2019ve never experienced. I am also looking forward to meeting steppers from different schools and sharing this experience at the Apollo with them. As someone who was born and raised in Harlem, I\u2019ve always known about the historical importance of the Apollo Theater<\/span> and its many famous performers, but to be granted the opportunity to perform there is like a dream come true. “<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> How did your step journey begin?
\nAicha:<\/strong><\/span> My stepping journey began in middle school where I was introduced to step. I auditioned for the team in 6th grade but didn\u2019t make it. Luckily for me, the team became a club the following year and I was able to join.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Why did you decide to finally take stepping seriously?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>I decided to take stepping seriously because I missed it so much after not doing it in high school. I was focused on playing sports during high school, so I never had the time to step. I attended a summer program before my freshman year of college where I put on a step routine for the talent show with my peers. I received so many compliments and praises for my stepping routine that it made me realize how much I wanted to return to stepping.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Tell us about achieving at a prominent school like Cornell University.
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>Honestly, I don\u2019t think I often realize how much I have achieved at Cornell. First and foremost I am a first-gen college student and that in and of itself is a major achievement. It\u2019s hard to notice your achievements when everyone around you is excelling tremendously as well, but once you are aware of your accomplishments it is one of the best feelings ever.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> What have been some of your favorite moments stepping has brought you?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>Some of my favorite moments from Stepping are the cheering of the crowd after a performance and the comments from my peers about how much they enjoyed the performance. It brings me joy that stepping doesn\u2019t only bring joy to me but also to our audience. I also love the goofy moments in practice and just having fun with my teammates overall.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> How are you balancing your senior year as you prepare to graduate and step into the world?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>It has been hard balancing my senior year with my extracurriculars, but when you love something and enjoy doing it you somehow manage to make everything work. What has really helped me to stay grounded and balance my senior year are my friends and advisors, They have been extremely supportive and helped me so much in overcoming the challenges I was facing. Making sure I make time for my social life is also how I have balanced my senior year.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> What advice do you have for the upcoming generation of steppers?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>I would tell the upcoming generation of steppers to live in the moment and have fun. Stepping is a means of artistic expression and they should fully embrace that aspect of it.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Tell us about your current projects.
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>I am working on a few projects for my fashion classes. My goal with the designs I\u2019ll be creating is to create two ensembles that represent the intersection of my identities as a black Ivorian Muslim woman who was born in raised in Harlem. I want the two ensembles to portray who I am and where I come from. I\u2019ll be implementing elements from my West African culture as well as the culture of Harlem. Another project is the 2023 NCPA Step Dance Championships. I am working on a routine with my teammates and figuring out the
\nlogistics so that we are in attendance.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> What would you like your legacy to be in with stepping?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>I would like my legacy in stepping at Cornell to be building a sense of community. I want to create an inclusive team where anyone feels welcome and comfortable.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> What does the Apollo mean to you as a Harlem native and a performer?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>As a Harlem native, the Apollo Theater is the heart of Harlem. It is a cultural hub that brings life and joy to the neighborhood. As a performer, it is such an honor to be able to stand on the same stage as many significant African American figures. In a way, I will be adding to the legacy of the Apollo.<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you own your journey?
\nAicha: <\/strong><\/span>I would like to thank my teammates, friends, advisors, and staff at Upstaged. They have all been pillars I can lean on in different parts of my journey, whether it be my social life, my academics, and being a part of the 2023 NCPA Step Dance Championships.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On April 22nd<\/sup>, the best high school and college step teams in the country descend upon the historic Apollo Theater to compete like athletes and showcase their talents for the title of National Step Champion. Produced by the National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™, and the National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™, the victors will win a share of\u00a0$13,000 cash<\/b>, All-American status, and the recognition and respect of their peers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The road to Harlem\u2019s world-famous Apollo began for the colleges’ last Fall, with the review of submitted videos judged based on precision, synchronization, creativity, and overall performance. The top eight NCPA teams competing for $10,000 cash include Cornell, Delaware State, Howard, Lincoln, Mercy, Syracuse, and a men\u2019s and women\u2019s team from Tufts.\u00a0<\/b>The Tufts men\u2019s team \u2013 BlackOut \u2013 is the reigning champion, back to defend their title.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The NHSPA championships are co-produced by World of Step (WOS) and will feature the nation\u2019s best high schools facing off in the semifinals and competing\u00a0for $3,000 in cash prizes<\/b>. Selected by online voting and an eight-team \u201cMarch-Madness\u201d style bracket competition which saw over 38,000 votes cast in mid-March, the four high school semifinalists are Brentwood (Long Island), Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx), New Rochelle, and Nottingham (Nottingham, NJ).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThese talented high school steppers have an unbelievable opportunity to compete for a National Championship at the Nation\u2019s most storied historically black theater in the most world-renowned black cultural Mecca, Harlem,\u201d said WOS Founder and CEO Jessica \u201cRemo\u201d Saul<\/b>. \u201cThis is the Superbowl of Step, being played out in the Madison Square Garden of Performing Arts Venues.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With over 150 steppers passionately competing, the championships at The Apollo will be packed with intensity and stepping action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWinning a 2023 Step National Championship, and forever being NCPA and NHSPA Step All-Americans, will be a great accomplishment for any team, as it showcases their skills, creativity, and teamwork on a national stage,\u201d said\u00a0Victoria Duruh,\u00a0UpStaged<\/span>\u00a0Entertainment Group\u2019s Chief Talent Officer<\/b>. \u201cThe competition will be an empowering experience for all teams involved, regardless of the outcome. We wish each team the best of luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Apollo. Tickets are available at\u00a0<\/b>ticketmaster.com<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b>and at <\/b>The Apollo box office<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About\u00a0UpStaged<\/span>\u00a0Entertainment Group<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

UpStaged<\/span> Entertainment Group is an NYC-based diversified performing arts platform empowering the nation\u2019s student performers to compete for national championships, like student-athletes, across 25 genres (e.g., step, comedy, a cappella) in premier venues and virtual platforms. Operating under National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™ and National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ brands, UpStaged<\/span>\u00a0brings cohesiveness to historically siloed performing arts communities. To learn more about\u00a0UpStaged<\/span>\u00a0visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.upstagedu.com\/<\/a>
\nAbout\u00a0<\/u><\/b>National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)<\/u><\/b>™<\/b>
\nThe NCPA organizes the nation\u2019s dynamic student performers and their universities – like President Roosevelt\u2019s goal in forming the NCAA in 1906 – to 1) Implement a comprehensive competition structure across performing arts genres 2) elevate collegiate performing arts to a national stage providing recognition similar to college athletes 3) financially support historically underfunded college performing arts.
\nAbout National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)<\/u><\/b>™<\/b><\/p>\n

The NHSPA organizes the nation\u2019s dynamic student performers and their high schools – like President Roosevelt\u2019s goal in forming the NCAA in 1906 – to 1) Implement a comprehensive competition structure across performing arts genres 2) elevate collegiate performing arts to a national stage providing recognition similar to college athletes 3) financially support historically underfunded high school performing arts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About World of Step (WOS)<\/u><\/b>
\nWOS is the Nation\u2019s preeminent youth step producer, platform, and educator. Its competitions, classes, and platform empower thousands of steppers worldwide. WOS founder, renowned Step Choreographer and Educator Jessica \u201caka Remo\u201d Saul, has been featured on MTV, ABC\u2019s Good Morning America, and Telemundo\u2019s Univision, among others. WOS recently expanded internationally to South America and Africa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n[vc_row][vc_column]