Dancer:
Esha H
Story by: MD Marcus
Photography by: Derek Palmer
Create.Release.Heal
Dancer Esha H is on a mission.
Creating movements undefined, Esha H
turns her entire body into an instrument
of communication through her dance.
The laws of gravity and pure biology seriously come under question with every
bone bending contortion as she manipulates her body to music. “Each type of
movement says something,” she tells me.
Possessing a presence that’s both powerfully graceful yet strikingly humble, meeting with this gifted artist was a refreshing
and inspiring experience.
Dancing since about the 6th grade, she
got her start through the only extracurricular activity her middle school offered.
It was an African dance class called Kijiji,
which means “The Village” in Swahili.
Though Esha would come to appreciate it
later, she didn’t immediately love African
dance. She was drawn to more popular
styles like hip-hop and popping.
As her passion grew, she began fusing
street jazz and contemporary dance
along with traditional African dance and
hip-hop and now considers herself a
“multidisciplinary dance artist.” Not one
for labels, she is very hesitant to pinpoint
any specific dance styles and explains
her movements as more of “an effusion
incorporating different types of art with
dance.”
Being the oldest in a family of 8 children,
Esha was not afforded the advantage of
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mances. She moves boldly and without
inhibition in these film clips that show
more like theatrical vignettes. They
are all encompassing works of art that
include music, painting, imaginative
cinematography editing, drama, and of
course dancing. It’s impossible to watch
these thought provoking videos without
professional training. Her pure raw talreflecting upon the meaning behind
ent has enabled her to make remarkable
strides and has garnered serious attention. them. Choosing her words judicially,
She sites influences from such famed danc- Esha talks to me about the message of
ers as Alvin Ailey, Michael Jackson, Martha her videos. While she would like to leave
it largely open for interpretation allowGraham, and Twyla Tharp. However, her
ing the supposition of meaning to be
biggest inspiration for all she does is unleft malleable through the eyes of each
doubtedly her family. In fact, when asked
individual viewer, some ideas do remain
to discuss her biggest accomplishments
consistent. “Movement can heal,” she
to date, she doesn’t list any won dance
asserts confidently. Her movements
competitions or scholarships received
(though she has them to list). What she’ll largely symbolize struggle and overcoming while remaining true to who you are
tell you she’s the most proud of is staying
throughout it all.
strong for her family. From the bond and
veneration she expresses, there seems to
Her video, Screams of Color, ends with
be an understood reciprocity of strength
the thought, “The quiet body spoke so
within this troupe.
loud.” With the words “Dance is FreeHer YouTube channel, Esha H, offers videos dom” prominently tattooed on the top of
her right shoulder, Esha finds solace and
displaying her creative work. These are
more than your average dance perfor-