Majorette dancing originated as a carnival dance from Rhineland Germany, where dancers would twirl batons and strictly move their arms in an 8-count tempo. Once this style reached the U.S, it was embraced by the South and transformed into the high-energy “hip-hop majorette” style seen today.

Where did majorette dance come from?

Majorettes originated as a carnival dance from Rhineland Germany, where young women who perform this dance were the highlight of the show. When majorette dancing came to the US, the South quickly picked it up and put their own spin on things.

When was majorette dance invented?

This majorette-style dance, also called dance lines or hip-hop majoretting, began in the late 1960s at historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. It combines the energy of the high-step marching style of black college bands with West African, jazz, modern and hip-hop choreography.