African American Arts Institute ‘only one of its kind’

IU’s African American Arts Institute strives to offer students an opportunity not only to earn school credit, but to obtain a cultural education.

The Arts Institute promotes African-American culture and offers three distinct ensembles for students to participate in – IU Soul Revue, African American Dance Company and the African American Choral Ensemble.   

Dr. Charles Sykes, executive director of the Arts Institute, said it is unique because it the first program to specialize in African-American music and also offers course credit for performance.

“You can’t find another one like it as far as I know; it’s the only of its kind,” he said.

Sykes said this is appealing to students because they can take part in something that they are interested in, like music or dance, and the credit counts toward graduation.

He added that the Arts Institute employs a number of both graduate and undergraduate students to work with the ensembles.

“Each one of the ensembles has one or more associate instructors that help with musical arrangements,” Sykes said.

Participating students in the African American Arts Institute major in various studies, including music, arts administration, telecommunications and journalism.

Sykes said the Arts Institute is a way for an IU student to delve deeper into something he or she is interested in, even just for the joy of performing.

“We’re living in a world with the opportunity to interact across racial boundaries,” Sykes said. “For students not planning to become performing artists but want to continue performing in school, they can have this opportunity but don’t have to be concerned with their degree.”

While many students go on to finish their degree in an area unrelated to the performing arts, some Arts Institute alumni have become extremely successful musically.   

African American Dance Ensemble latealumnus Gabriel Paige had a part in movies such as “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and Soul Revue alumni Isaiah Sanders was a keyboardist for Stevie Wonder.  

The students in these programs don’t only get a taste of stardom after they graduate – the Soul Revue ensemble opened for James Brown when he came to the IU Auditorium in 2006, and the African American Choral Ensemble opened for Ray Charles.

The Soul Revue will also be headlining for Temptations this Thursday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.   

Soul Revue Director Nathanael Fareed Mahluli said the group performs a wide range of black popular music. He said the group performs a lot of Motown, as well as music from artists such as Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.

Mahluli said it is important for people to realize that being in this type of ensemble takes a lot of time and dedication.

“It takes an amazing amount of discipline to keep up your ability to perform,” Mahluli said. “It’s challenging to try social interaction and keep up the teamwork and entertain a goal.”

Mahluli said this kind of work ethic is vital when performing before big names like The Temptations.

“The concert will be excellent, and that’s what you have to do to make it excellent,” Mahluli said.

Senior Terrilyn Dennie, president of IU Soul Revue, said she likes the “family connection” that comes with being in a close-knit group.

“This is what we are the most passionate about,” Dennie said. “You know how there are some days when you just don’t want to go to class? Well, I will never miss this class.”

Junior Troy Thomas, vice president of the group, said when he joined the ensemble he gained confidence in his singing voice.  

“I never trusted it until I joined this group,” Thomas said. “It’s a professional and emotional experience. You get life lessons.”