Acclamation Dance Ministry (ADM) is Messiah University’s dance club that is completely led, run and organized by students.
Every semester, they hold a dance recital, and the Spring 2025 showcase will be held on March 29th at 7pm, and March 30th at 3pm, in Brubaker Auditorium. Each semester has a theme centered around scripture, and this semester’s theme is “For His Kingdom,” inspired by Matthew 6:33.
ADM has dance classes that start the second week of academic classes and go until the dance recital date. The dance classes are taught and choreographed by students, with classes offered for many styles of dance at various levels.
ADM and its classes are centered on what it means to dance for Christ. Some of the dance classes taught are Latin jazz, tap, contemporary, jazz, ballet, modern and more. These classes help bring joy into students’ lives.
“ADM has been a great outlet for me to express my faith through dance,” said Amani Berry, a student in ADM. “Dance is something that I’ve enjoyed doing for as long as I can remember, and to have the gift to move my body for the glory of God makes it all the more special. I know my performance doesn’t have to be based on what the audience thinks but ultimately what God thinks.”
Students also serve as club officers, who not only teach classes but also organize and put the show together. These positions are president, vice president, treasurer, public relations manager and prayer chaplain.
ADM’s Treasurer and Latin jazz teacher Rachel Hofberg says she helps put the show together by helping with “budgeting week […] the monthly report [and] costumes.”
“I help with the show by counting all the money made off of merch and making sure it is exact… [and] I also have the roster [of ADM students], to make sure everyone within the club pays their dues,” she said.
Hofberg is just one of many people who make the show happen. The dancers, teachers and officers appreciate when the Messiah community comes together to support them and all of their hard work.
“I get excited because they are getting to see what I have been practicing on and working towards for the last couple of months,” said Abby Clough, the contemporary dance teacher. “As a leader, I love that my friends and family are able to see my choreography. It’s special to me as well because it shows that they are excited to see me and our friends dance.”
As Clough said, the recital is the perfect opportunity for the dancers to show off their hard work and talent from the semester to the rest of the Messiah community.
Messiah Students and faculty can attend the show in Brubaker for free with the presentation of an ID. Others must pay $5 at the door.