Dam Dance Empire is a student run dance club based at Oregon State University. While it is one of the newer clubs to join the university, seniors Remi Komagata and Ava Waters (President and Vice President) have created a safe environment for new members to dance freely regardless of their skill level. They want to ensure that this club is a place where dancers can come to enjoy the sport without the pressure of competition as well as develop lasting friendships and memories.

When asked why dance and this club are important to them, Remi and Ava wasted no time in expressing their gratitude.

“Dance is important to me because it has grown to be an outlet where I get to express myself. I get to escape from the world, even if it’s just for 2-3 minutes, and that escape has helped me through so many times in my life. Through dance, you learn the importance of teamwork, trust, endurance, and determination. These have become values that I carry with me on a daily basis, and they’ve helped me everyday to grow and become a better person within my personal life. Dam Dance Empire has become a big part of my life ever since we started the club almost 3 years ago. Coming from another state (Hawaii), Oregon seemed like a whole new world to me, and this dance club has brought friendships that I will take beyond my college years. We’ve grown a dance community with people from different places, coming from different backgrounds, and we’ve become a part of each other’s lives and built our own family. Dam Dance Empire has also been a dance community unlike any I’ve ever known before. We foster non-competitive dancing, which has expelled the side of dance that can be toxic. We’ve created a judgment free zone, and constantly strive to be a space where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. I’ve seen dancers come into this club and leave with more confidence, passion, enthusiasm, bigger goals for themselves, and the determination to reach them. Our goal of creating this dance club was to inspire others to add dance to their lives or to help people “respark” their love for dance, and I feel like this club has done just that.”

Remi Komagata

“Dance has always felt like a place where I could express myself in ways words cannot suffice. No matter what I had going on in my life, if I was stressed, angry, or overwhelmed, I know I would always feel better after being able to dance. Being able to dance has also provided me with countless invaluable experiences, such as bonding with teammates and creating lifelong friendships, along with building confidence within myself. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without dance, and I am so thankful for everything it has taught me. Ever since Remi and I started Dam Dance Empire three years ago, it helped reignite my passion for dance by cultivating an environment that helped to uplift other dancers, and show others how dance doesn’t have to be intimidating, but instead it can just be fun. Growing up in a competitive dance environment, it was hard to not constantly be comparing yourself to others, and it was easy to feel isolated in that setting. We were very adamant about having the club be a place for dancers, no matter their skill level, to feel safe enough to step outside of their comfort zone and grow now only in their skills, but as people too in a judgment free environment. It is an amazing feeling seeing club members start to grow in their confidence and watch them have fun as they discover their passion for dance, whether it’s new or old.”

Ava Waters

In their final year at Oregon State and in Dam Dance Empire, Remi and Ava are passing the club onto Audrey Saiz in hopes of it continuing to grow and providing a space for all dancers to feel at home. In the spring of this year, Dam Dance Empire is putting on a showcase with dance styles ranging from contemporary to hip hop. This showcase aims to not only support the club but to give all dancers a chance to share what they have learned throughout the year with friends, family, and anyone who wishes to watch.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will go on to support Dam Dance Empire this year and in the future. Thank you for the support!