The Tribune

THE National Dance School of the Bahamas recently made a trip to Havana, Cuba to participate in a dance and drum workshop at the Cuban National School of Dance.

Eleven top students – eight dancers and three drummers – from the school were chosen to attend this workshop and were accompanied by three staff members and two parents.

The students participated in master classes in Cuban contemporary dance technique, Cuban folkloric dance and Cuban folkloric drumming, and received achievement certificates at the end of the workshop.

During their stay they attended the world renowned “Tropicana” show and the famous Ballet Nacional de Cuba. The students were informed of the process that Cuba takes to create professional artists.

From the first audition at eight years old through the eight to 11 years of training, to the final exam to become a professional performer or teacher, Cuba is able to produce some of the world’s best artists, the students were told.

The students said they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and did their best to represent the Bahamas during the workshop.

They said their eyes were opened to what it means to be a professional dancer or drummer and the training that it takes to achieve that type of professionalism.

Dance Students

Shereika Beckford, 22

Chase Miller, 20

Tavnoia Sturrup, 20

Paige Sturrup, 18

Denzell Wallace, 16

Philencia Huyler, 15

Jahmai Grant, 14

Mackenzie Peet, 13

Drum Students

Desean Smith, 17

John Chipman-Burrows, 13

Brandon Crawley, 16

Staff Members

Dereka Deleveaux-Grant, administrator

Maydi Bacalllao-Williams, instructor

Mitzi e Chipman, instructor

Parents

O’Lanna Crawley

Hamutle Nichols