My Davidson | A Student Blog Davidson Dance Ensemble: Dancing Into Myself
December 4, 2025
- Photography
- Jeannie Desenna
About the Author
Petronila Sakwa ’26 (she/her) is an economics and French and Francophone Studies double major from Kakamega, Kenya.
Outside of the classroom, she is involved as a Senior Admission Fellow, Chidsey Leadership Fellow, Chaplains' Ambassador, Student Consultant at the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a Writing Center Consultant in French. Additionally, she is involved with Davidson African Students Association, Dance Ensemble, Catholic Campus Ministry, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Davidson International Association and the College Crisis Initiative (C2i).
“Over the years, I’ve come to deeply appreciate what makes Davidson unique; one being the relationships between students and professors. Faculty heavily invest in their students, challenge them to reach higher, and celebrate their growth. The bonds I’ve built with my professors are among the most meaningful parts of my journey. Additionally, the opportunities and support Davidson provides for international students make it a special place. The college has become a home for me, flights away from where I grew up, a home that is just as grounding, challenging and nurturing. My host family has held me through my ups and downs of college and made my special family in the U.S.”
August 2022.
I joined Dance Ensemble on a whim.
Or maybe more like a gentle nudge from two student representatives at the Fall 2022 Activities Fair:
“Even if it’s just an interest and no experience?”
“Yes! Come to our big meeting this Wednesday. Whatever your skill level is, you are welcome!”
I don’t remember if I ever made it to that meeting, but somehow I ended up signing up for Pink Venom by Blackpink. At the first rehearsal, I felt so out of it that I planned to quit. However, guilt kept me coming back for the second practice, then the third, then the fourth. Before I knew it, I was asking my friends for outfit ideas.
November 2022.
I was so terrified the night of the performance. Worse, our dance was the opening act. But my friends cheered me on. Our choreographer, Amanda—who, not surprisingly, was one of the students who’d first welcomed me at the activities fair—encouraged me so much it felt wrong not to believe in myself.
And then we danced. And that was my first ever dance performance on a stage. Three firsts in one: a dance, a performance and a stage. Or maybe two, because I used to dance in church as a child.
With the lights, the music and the cheering, I felt something in me unlock. That performance marked the beginning of my Dance Ensemble journey. It marked the beginning of my friendships, my confidence and my trust in what others saw in me when I danced. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved dancing. Or rather, the idea of dancing. I never had the opportunity to put it into practice or really just learn how to move my body “the right way.” I occasionally danced in church growing up, but that’s different when you are raised in a staunch Roman Catholic community.
August 2025.
Kill this love, BlackPink. Hype boy, New Jeans. Crystals, Of Monsters and Men. Bandana, Fireboy DML ft. Asake. Back for more, TXT. And many more. Over the past three or so years, Dance Ensemble has challenged me to explore different dance styles. I’ve had opportunities to try hip-hop, contemporary and even funk (all of which pre-Davidson me didn’t know existed). I’ve learned to dance to songs I don’t always understand, just me and the beat.
Beyond the stage, Dance Ensemble helped me grow as a leader. I joined the e-board first as secretary, then as social media manager. I loved welcoming new members, supporting them the way others supported me, and watching them find their rhythm. Now, I choreograph African-inspired pieces for the group, collaborating on chaotic, creative and fun rehearsals. I don’t have formal dance training or choreography experience, but Dance Ensemble gave me the space to explore that side for myself. It even opened new doors, like the MAGIC Grant, which helped me take dance classes in Kenya and eventually sparked my interest in attending dance classes while in South Africa and France. Every piece I choreograph now carries a bit of all those experiences.
Dance Ensemble is not just a performance group for me. It’s home. It’s where I learned to believe in myself, no matter how crooked my movements looked. It’s where I learned to support others at every level.
It’s where I learned to spread joy effortlessly, fully and freely.
November 2025.
And this semester, we’ll share that joy again on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Duke Family Performance Hall. Yes, it’s during finals week (unfortunately), but I know I’ll be there, because Petrah would do anything just to dance.
Did someone say Michael Jackson? Dadju? K-Pop Demon Hunters?
Dance Ensemble Showcase is Dec. 9-10
Grab tickets for the shows on eTix, and check us out on Instagram @davidsondanceensemble for future events!
December 2025.
A big thank you to Amanda and Lauren, for “Whatever your skill level is, you are welcome.” That one phrase changed a life.
To Jeannie Desenna, for capturing us in our element and helping me trust the stage.
And to everyone who makes Dance Ensemble the home that it is, for all of us.
