Dancing for change - Christian dance academy celebrates 18 years

Praise Academy of Dance, founded in 1993 by C. Pat Noble, has been making an indelible mark in the area of dance in Jamaica. Though the academy commenced primarily as a dance school, it has been evolving into a performing arts company.

The academy caters to student's ages four years to adulthood, and is complemented by a teaching staff of 11, possessing qualifications ranging from certificates and diplomas to master's degrees in dance and the performing arts. They offer training in ballet, modern/contemporary, folk, hip hop, jazz and reggae genres.

The growth of the institution can be seen in the fact that there is now a branch of the academy in Mandeville. Additionally, two Praise affiliates have been established in Barbados and Trinidad.

The Barbados branch was created in 2003, while Trinidad was added in 2007.

To date, Praise has staged over 40 concerts, spanning Kingston and most of the parishes.

In 1997, the academy added a summer-school programme to its offerings.

Guest tutors from Jamaica, North America and the Caribbean continue to be a feature of that programme. Each year, there are scholarships to children from inner-city communities and according to a release from the company, which is celebrating its 18th anniversary this month, the work done in the inner-city communities has had a transformative effect on young lives.

Increasing males

One of the aspects of the academy that makes its head honchos proud is the growth in the number of males entering the programme.

According to the release, those males are "excited to be a part of a Christian dance company".

"We can proudly say that many of our students have continued the legacy in dance by furthering their studies at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and further afield, becoming qualified dance tutors/practitioners," read the release.

The academy not only stresses technique but the use of the dance talent to convey the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consequently, the institution has created among its offerings, a ministry team comprising teen and adult students.

That team travels locally and internationally.

The National Independence Day Church Service, National Heroes Day Church Service, Prime Minister's Annual Labour Day Concert, NHT/JCDC Prayer Vigil, and the National Council of Education parenting Seminar are just some of the events the academy's dancers have graced.

Over the last 12 years, Praise has also done well at the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Festival, accumulating over 30 gold medals and 30 national trophies.

In 2003, Praise captured the coveted Rex Nettleford Trophy for Excellence.

Since becoming a member of the Christian Dance Fellowship International, the outreach arm of the academy has taken it to other parts of the Caribbean, North and South America, Africa, England and Australia.

That outreach arm is an ambitious one, as the academy wants to do more.

"We have been using the discipline of dance to help transform lives, especially our young people. We would like to do more on a larger scale by collaborating with the country's girls' homes and other places of safety to offer dance education and workshops," read a release from the institution.

Contributed photos show dancers from Praise Academy of Dance using the lessons of art to change lives. Here are scenes from the many performances they have given.