BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Khyla Brown, a young and upcoming dancer, recently returned from Jamaica, where she participated in a four-week dance course at the Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing arts in Kingston.
And starting from today (Aug. 12), she will be hosting a one-week seminar dubbed Caribbean Artistry with the aim of imparting her newly-acquired artistic knowledge and skills in the field of dance.
About 50 people from host country Jamaica, St. Kitts and Trinidad took part in the dance seminar.
Along with Brown, one other Kittitian in the person Marcia Jeffers also participated in order to fully complete her years of study in Dance Education at the college.
Browne described her experience as one that would last a lifetime.
“It was an experience that will follow me for a lifetime because of the strong culture still present in Jamaica and the many personalities.
“The course was very informative but intense. I learned so much about my body and dance there. It gave me a better understanding about the art form and the hard work and dedication needed in order to succeed in dance. Finally, I learned discipline.”
Brown spoke highly about the theoretical and practical aspects of the course.
“It gave me a great start towards improving my dance and granted me the opportunity to be better and help others. The great thing about it is that it was theory and practical, so I learnt a great deal. It was a folk-based programme but I learned techniques involved in modern and folk. They were all taught by both local and foreign tutors. So it created that balance...I loved it”!
When asked if the course was the first of such nature in which she participated, Brown responded in the affirmative.
“Yes, this was the first course of this nature I attended. This is the first but by no means last workshop I would be attending outside of St. Kitts. But I’ve attended many local workshops here in St. Kitts like 'The Edna Experience', ‘Umoja’ and ‘I am Dance’.”
Asked how long she has been dancing and what she likes about being involved in the art form, Brown said: “I am fairly new to dance as I have been dancing for just three years. I love the challenge and self-expression in the form as I am a very expressive or artistic person.”
Brown gave details about the workshop including the theme and the aspects of chosen dance techniques to focus on, such as the Caribbean Folk, Belizean Folk, Modern and Choreography.
The workshop would be conducted at the Youth and Community Centre on Victoria Road in Basseterre and a public showcase would be held on the last day (Aug. 16) at 6:00 p.m.
“The workshop I am planning is called 'Caribbean Artistry' just because of the artiste I am and the art you can create with dance. I used the word Caribbean because of the Caribbean nature of folk and drums. This workshop is catered to educate the ones just like myself who want to improve and understand a lot more about dance, as the workshop will focus on technique and not just movement. Everyone will come happy and leave happy as I intend for everyone to leave with something and learn something just like the way I learnt in Jamaica and even more. They will all improve in technique and understand the dances taught.”
She added: “Choreography is also another aspect I’ve added to the workshop because I realise people don't focus on this...the basic elements of dance composition and more. This workshop promises to be spectacular and fun, fun, fun!
The workshop targets adults and teenagers for only $40 for the week, but if one only needs to participate for one night, the cost is $10.
For more details, you can use the contact information on the poster.
Registration forms can be picked up from First Class Jewellery on Port Zante or the Ministry of Culture on Victoria Road, Basseterre.
For more information interested persons can contact Brown on 762-6202 or email khylamusic@gmail.com.
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