By: Leyah Jackson
When the music cuts and the count resets, the studio erupts in laughter. At Treasure Dance Company, a missed step is just another reason to smile.
Treasure Dance Company is the newest addition of laughter and sisterhood at Hampton University.
“I previously danced with Ebony Fire and wanted to do other styles of dance and give other people opportunities to be flexible and be able to do dance while also having other commitments on campus,” said Diamond member, second-year Solrae Edmund.
The group performs jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance—refusing to be boxed in by a single dance style and adapting to the diverse dance skills of their members.
It took 3 months for this vision to become a reality. The idea began in March 2026, and the group had its first performance on April 4, 2026, with the five students: Solrae Edmund, Milei Catalan, Destiny (DJ) Johnson, Syniya Harris, and Maria Chaffin.
Their name, “Treasure,” aligns with Hampton University’s Pete the Pirate mascot. The team is “What every pirate is looking for.”
Members have cohort names similar to Hampton’s class name tradition. The team is a treasure chest that includes the five original ‘diamonds’, then sapphires, with rubies and emeralds still to come. The freshman members are sapphires.
Treasure’s debut performance was at the 51st Honors Day Celebration, where they took the stage with a jazz-contemporary performance.
The group is not held back by pressures or negativity. The executive board is beaming with new ideas and ambitions. They are excited to create new merchandise, traditions, and participate in college dance competitions.
“It’s very important for Hampton to see that you can do something new and fresh…Everything that’s been here forever started with people who had a vision. People may have doubted it, but they still did it anyway. It’s exciting to have something new and build something,” said Diamond member, second-year Maria Chafflin.
The dancers have an air of laughter and low stress about themselves and their team, and plan to continue building their legacy together from the ground up.
“We get to experience all of our firsts together: first dance practice, first team bonding… and we have somewhere to go, we’re gonna go so far from here. We have space to bond more, and we have more flexibility,” said Sapphire member, first-year Nyla Wells.
So far, Treasure has performed in the Homecoming parade and the men's basketball games.
“Those [the E-board] are like my best friends. I think to say that about a team where you have best friends and sisters is really nice. We are always laughing at practice…practice can be hard sometimes, but when you're surrounded by friends and laughter it's fun,” Wells continued.
Treasure’s next performance is November 10 at the Men's basketball game against Apprentice School. Those interested can keep up with Treasure’s next move at @treasurehu on Instagram. The team has much more to show, and fresh ideas waiting to be brought to life.
