Archive for November, 2009

My thanksgiving was quiet and restful, which was just what I needed! I must take the time to reflect on the fact that I am so blessed in many ways: God, family, friends, my health, truly the list could go on and on.                                  

 However, on November 21st I had the privilege of showing my gratitude for a community choir that has been instrumental towards my dance training. The Celestial Community Choir of Brooklyn, New York celebrated 30 years of inspirational music, community service, and youth enrichment programs. Under the leadership of H. Donovan Irons, the choir has performed in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes and for many other community settings within the New York and tri- state area and throughout the country.   

The choir awarded me a partial scholarship when I was 18 to study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center; therefore I was honored when one of the members of the choir contacted me a couple of months ago to dance for their 30th anniversary celebration.

I performed two pieces- one from my repertoire which is a modern/ballet style of dance, and the second dance was a ballet that I choreographed specifically for the anniversary performance. I performed the second dance with the choir as they sang ”Precious Prayer,” a song from their latest CD. In many ways the experience felt like the completion of a circle- I was blessed with their generosity at the age of 18 and in turn had the opportunity to share my talent with them as an older adult.

I am still waiting for pictures from the performance and will be sure to share them with you!

Despite my overwhelming schedule these days- working full time, last year of graduate school, a thesis paper that is nearly driving me insane- I am delighted that I will begin teaching at “Still Hip” in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn.  What can I say, I love dance and I love teaching. It’s difficult for me to turn down what I think is a great opportunity.

I was introduced to Still Hip by a good friend of mine who occasionally takes her son to a music class at the facility. Actually, Still Hip is a clothing store that sells “hip” and “funky” apparel for kids. They also sell other items for babies and moms/ moms to be, such as, books and stretch mark oil.

Sectioned off in the back of the store is an open space where local families bring their kids for classes in Art, Music, and Dance. I am teaching Creative Movement for Kids for an 8 weeks session most Saturdays beginning November 21st until January 30th. I am going to focus on ages 3 and 4 for this particular class, because that was the age range of kids that attended my demo class a few weeks ago. Do stay tuned with me however, there is bound to be dance classes for older kids opening up soon with urban plie!