AVONDALE – Since graduating from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in 2021, Samuel Evans has taken his passion for dance to the world stage. Now an English major at Mars Hill University, Evans is a proud member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers (BMC), a 31-time national championship-winning and internationally recognized dance team.
Through his involvement with BMC, Evans has had the opportunity to travel to Greece, Italy, and Indonesia, showcasing Appalachian clogging and sharing its unique history and style with audiences across the globe. This summer he will continue his international journey with a visit to Slovenia, where he will not only perform but will endeavor to build relationships with dancers and artists from a variety of cultures.
“While in Slovenia, I will get to experience the beauty of many different cultures and share Appalachian culture with locals as well as other international folk teams,” Evans said.
A Lifelong Dedication to Dance
Evans has been dancing since he was two years old, and joining the Mars Hill clogging team was a natural next step after high school. He was drawn to the organization’s national recognition and the opportunity it provided to continue performing while pursuing his bachelor’s degree.
“I was inspired to join the Bailey Mountain Cloggers because of the national ranking that this team has had over the years,” he said. “This program has allowed me to have so many experiences that have created the person that I am today. I have met so many different people from all over the United States and the world and have been able to share my love of clogging and Appalachian culture with them.”
Being part of BMC has been a defining aspect of Evans’ college career, offering not only performance opportunities but also meaningful personal growth.
“I can’t see my college career without this wonderful program and the people that I have been able to share it with, especially my coaches Danielle and Dallas,” he said.
Building Connections Across Cultures
For Evans, international travel is about more than just dance. It’s about the connections he makes along the way.
“The most memorable moment in my international travels is not seeing the sights or being in the country because it is the same shows and performances that we do locally in North Carolina. It is all about the people,” he said. “I tell my coach all the time that ‘it's not about the places we go but the people we meet.’”
Evans’ experiences abroad have resulted in friendships that continue long after the performances have ended.
“After my tour of Italy in 2023, I have remained in contact with friends from Italy, New Zealand, and Mexico,” he said. “We continue to message about each other's days, how much we miss each other, and always wish happy birthdays.”
Through these interactions, Evans has gained a deeper appreciation for the universal language of dance.
“When we go overseas, the main reaction with our style of clogging is how loud our shoes are and how very simple it is compared to other countries’ forms of traditional dances,” he said. “Our art form is so different than other countries, but there are still similarities to each one. Just like America, clogging is a melting pot that has influences from all the countries that immigrated here centuries ago.”
Sharing dance techniques with international performers has also been a highlight of his travels.
“I love sharing the names of our similar movements and learning what the other countries call theirs,” Evans said. “It is so fun to share our technique with them and learn from them too.”
Looking Ahead to Slovenia
While Evans has performed in Slovenia before, this upcoming trip will offer a more immersive experience.
“I have already performed in Slovenia once on a side trip during our tour of Italy, and it was an absolutely beautiful country,” he said. “While we were there, though, we didn’t really get to meet any of the people from that country. We were separated from the other teams from the festival and our guides from Italy. So I’m excited to meet the locals of the towns we will be in and compare their culture to one that I experienced in Italy and in Greece.”
Evans is currently fundraising to help with expenses for the overseas trip to Slovenia and says any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to help with his journey, please reach out to him via email at [email protected]
The Impact of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers
Beyond travel and cultural exchange, Evans credits his clogging team with teaching him valuable life skills that extend beyond dance.
“The Bailey Mountain Cloggers have taught me how to communicate more effectively and given me a work ethic to get done what I need to get done,” he said. “It has allowed me to hone my skills in time management with having to balance my school workload, practices, and shows every weekend.”
As he prepares for his next international adventure, Evans remains committed to sharing Appalachian clogging with the world and continuing to build lasting friendships through dance.