Tufts Blogs

During my freshman fall at Tufts, I attended one of the school's infamous ‘Riff-offs.’ Group after group performed with elaborate outfit changes and choreographed routines. Finally, The Ladies of Essence began to sing, and instantly, I fell in love. From that moment, I knew that one day I would be on that team. A group specializing in music from the Black diaspora was the perfect opportunity to return to my choir days. 

Two semesters later, I am now a proud Essence Lady. A couple of weeks ago, we held a bonding event that perfectly encapsulates what makes Essence so special. We traveled down to karaoke in Chinatown—the perfect bonding night for a group of singers. Like any Friday night at Tufts, it was nothing if not highly entertaining. We started off with an impromptu sweet treat of unmelted s'mores in front of Blakeley Hall and a very hectic shuttle ride to Davis Square. 

While on the T, we exchanged stories of life: how classes were going, how frustrating projects were, the brutal bite of the wind, and funny renditions from nights out on the town. I learned about my friends' hometowns and their favorite cultural dishes,which standards were their favorite, and heartwarming stories about Ladies in the past. We laughed together as we searched for the street exit to the Downtown Crossing, and again as we took more than a few wrong turns. Then it was time for karaoke, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Beyonce to Adele and back to Beyonce. For two hours, we sang our little hearts out with disco lights as our audience–and of course, we got another sweet treat. Now, I feel truly a part of the Ladies of Essence, and I am beginning to know my Ladies for more than just their angelic voices.

This feeling of connection carries into every part of being in Essence. As I enter my second semester as a Lady of Essence, my role within the group has expanded. Every semester, Essence and many other a cappella groups host auditions. Auditions occur in two steps: the first audition and callbacks. Although it may sound frightening, the process is truly enjoyable. Auditioners get a chance to peek into what life as a member of Essence will look like while singing and reconnecting with peers they may never have had the chance to bond with. As for the semester itself, a Lady of Essence will never be bored. 

From Riff-Offs to semester performances, Instagram vlogs and photoshoots, joining an a cappella group is a fantastic way to engage with the Tufts community. For the past two years, Tufts has hosted an annual Riff-Off (Pitch Perfect style) featuring all of our talented a cappella groups. Filled with choreographed dance numbers, surprise outfit changes, and more, it is up to the audience to decide who takes home the crowd. As for semester performances, the Ladies of Essence puts on a 1-2 hour themed show based on campus. Typically, the intermission will feature a cameo from our brother group ‘S-Factor,’ the all-masc group that features music from the Black diaspora. That’s not to mention bonding events like karaoke, themed photo shoots tied to our performances, and surprise pop-ups throughout the semester.

As I enter my second semester in the group, I simply could not be more excited for what's to come during my time on Essence.