One Body One God makes godly strides
Published:Sunday | August 18, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer
In the words of Martha Graham, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul". The cast of One Body One God (OBOG) delivers a musically uplifting message, laying their souls on the stage in the name of dance. From the success of OBOG's second annual season of dance a few weekends ago, Outlook decided to take a look at the new dance company, focusing mainly on the female masterminds behind this powerful dance movement.
OBOG is a dance ministry birthed out of a desire to see a higher standard of excellence raised in Christian dance ministry. Fuelled by a passion for God, the love of dance, and a longing to honour and glorify Christ in the fullest, OBOG consists of 19 inspired dancers seeking to illustrate the desire to unify the body of Christ by joining dancers from various other dance ministries. The company, therefore, sought dancers from several other ministries including Bethel Baptist Church, Christian Life Fellowship, Church of the Open Bible - Twickenham Park, Ekklesia Bible Fellowship, Family Church on the Rock, Greater Portmore Open Bible, Hope Fellowship, Portmore Lane Community City Church, Praise Tabernacle, Swallowfield Chapel, and Webster Memorial Church. These dancers either have trained dance experience or have the passion and drive to develop their craft in dance.
passion and flair
The one-year-old dance company is led by three radiant young ladies who exude passion and flair both on and off the stage. Charissa Clemetson, Judene Edwards and Sherona Wright met each other while dancing and serving the Lord. Sharing similar backgrounds, they all began formal training in ballet from the tender age of four, and it was through their love of dance that they met and decided to go into business together. According to Clemetson, "I met Edwards at a young age, but we never really spoke to each other until we both joined Praise Academy. Sherona and Judene met because they were in the same ballet class when they were younger," she said.
Now in social media management at the Jamaica Tourist Board, Charissa Clemetson has spent the past 19 years training and ministering in her love for dance. With ballet training, she moved on to Praise Academy where she still is an active member. Branching out into the world of dance choreography, Clemetson continues to broaden her scope in spreading her love for Christ through the arts.
Projects manager at the UWI Development and Endowment Fund, Judene Edwards also trained in ballet, reaching up to A' Level in ballet, accredited from the Royal Academy of Dance. She continued honing her craft at Praise Academy and her high school. After receiving an injury in 2010, which has caused her to desist in participating physically, Edwards persists in giving her all to her first love, doing logistics as well as choreography, and sharing the message of God's work through dance.
Medical student Sherona Wright attained the highest level in ballet, Advanced Two, accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance. Receiving many distinctions in ballet, she sought to expand her expertise and joined the Tony Wilson Dance Theatre Company and has danced with Jamaica Musical Theatre Company. She continues to follow both her passions for helping others in both her scholastic pursuits as well as in choreographing and dancing for the Lord.
OBOG presented this year's season The Breaking and expanded its production to a two-night series, receiving rave reviews for their execution. Clemetson explained why they chose the name, The Breaking. "It is a road to freedom, a journey towards complete liberty, healing and a full embrace of the unmatchable love of God. Through dance, The Breaking presents the hope of salvation and a life free of the weighty oppressions common to this world," she ended. As a way of giving back, some of its proceeds were presented to the YMCA for its rebuilding, it having been the home of OBOG for their rehearsal process for the show. The show featured a wide range of dance genres which included ballet, modern African or folk, reggae and hip hop.