(Basseterre; St. Kitts) After the great success of Igniting your Dancing Spirit production and the Stars of Tomorrow Performing Arts Camp, the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant Dance Ensembles dream of a second annual overseas dance workshop is now being realized. Last year it was two weeks of intense training at the Crystalights Dance Academy in St. Lucia . This year it is in the dance capital of the United States of America, in New York City.
Twelve talented dancers left the Federation on Thursday July 28th to participate in a two week intensive training exercise at the Ailey School which is owned by the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Founded in 1969, this prestigious faculty trains dance students from around the world thus contributing to a multicultural richness that is unique among dance schools.
Always ready to improve the level of dance in St. Kitts, the Dance Ensemble will be taking private classes in several modern dance techniques that are new to St. Kitts in the hope that the knowledge gained will be passed on to not only the college community and its associate groups but to the dance community at large.
A spokesperson for the Ensemble commended the members for the countless numbers of hours expended raising funds for this costly exercise. Along with the dance recital and performing arts camp, events such as a Take Away luncheon, several dance workshops and parties were organized to make the trip possible.
Several local businesses were eager to assist them with their efforts of bringing about constructive changes in the society through dance. They include Cable & Wireless, National Bank, Beaumont Park, Royal Bank of Canada, ProTec, All Dive & Marine Services, Racing & Gaming Services, Brisbane & Associates Krystals Night Club, St. Kitts Urban Development Corporation and Mrs Jean Thomas of Hands That Care Massage Center.
Assistance was also given by the Ministry of Finance and The St. Kitts Tourism Authority New York. The CFBC Dance Ensemble will also being visiting several cultural and historical sites while in New York and will be special guests of a reception being held in their honour.
