Student musician and composer Tasan Smith-Gandy ’24 hiked up Pine Cobble trail, bringing along with him his six-pound cello. Upon reaching the summit of Pine Cobble, he sat down and performed “Pine Cello,” an original piece inspired by the natural beauty around him. 

“Dancer, choreographer, visual artist, rapper, BMX cycle rider, teacher, and I would say sage of hip-hop.” Those were the words that Director of Dance and Senior Lecturer in Dance Sandra Burton used to describe Raphael Xavier, a multi-talented artist originally from Wilmington, Delaware. At the March 30 event, Xavier joined a group of students and faculty from the College’s dance department to discuss the art of hip-hop and breakdancing, the obstacles he has faced, and — most prominently — his search for new ways to engage with breakdancing as he grew older.