The Tribune

By DANIELLE BARNES

dbarnes@tribunemedia.net

For many Bahamians, the love of dancing is ingrained in them. Whether we’re pointing our toes in dance class, getting down at every backyard party, or living vicariously through the Junkanooers parading down Bay Street, dance is embedded in our hearts and in our culture.

And this is certainly true for 14-year-old Christa Russell, whose passion for dance has not only brought her joy, but also won her a valuable scholarship and the recognition of professionals.

Christa recently returned from the StarQuest International World dance competition in Galveston, Texas, after winning the title “Teen Miss StarQuest” and a $20,000 scholarship to attend the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

The teenager’s love for dance emerged when she was eight years old. She joined the Just Dance Bahamas school and found that an interest in the performing arts had been awakened in her. Her first class with dance instructor Nonny Price sealed the deal and propelled her into taking her new-found talent more seriously.

Ms Price has been teaching Christa for six years now. She said she saw the spark of something special in Christa early on and trained her to turn that spark into a flame.

“I knew she had what it took to do this,” noted Ms Price. “At the time, her ability level was not there naturally, because she had not danced or been properly trained, but I saw the spark in her immediately.”

Christa took it upon herself to work extremely hard to perfect her dancing. With intense training, she soon transformed herself into a skilled dancer.

“She’s done nothing but continue to expand her ability’s and she’s always practising,” said Ms Price.

As a teacher, she said she also admires the girl behind the dancer. Not only does Christa work hard to perfect her skills, but she is also conscious about her health and demonstrates a high level of confidence and respect, all things which Ms Price considers to be key ingredients to create a well-rounded dancer.

“She’s extremely humble and kind. She has a wonderful heart which will definitely take her a long way,” she said.

Ms Price said the other dancers in the group look up to Christa and she in turns Christa admires them.

Christa said she considers her fellow group members at Just Dance an inspiration and vital to the enjoyment she gets from dancing.

“Dancing with my group is really inspiring,” she said. “Our group is like a family and we push each other and inspire each other, they’re really great to have,” the teen said.

Christa’s favourite thing about dancing occurs when her feet touch the stage and her body interprets the lyrics of a song and the sound of the music.

“I love performing and I like being on stage,” she said. “You kind of just forget about everything else in the world and it makes you feel really good.”

During the StarQuest International World Dance Finals, seven dancers from Just Dance Bahamas attended master dance classes and danced in different competitions, including solo and group performances.

Christa wowed the judges with her solo tap style routine to an a cappella version of “I Feel Good” by Bobby McFerrin. Along with winning her title and scholarship, she was recognised by one of the master teachers with gift certificates to attend free classes at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York.

Christa’s grandmother expressed joy over the accomplishments Christa has made at such a young age.

“When she gets on stage and I see her perform, I cry every time,” she said. “I just love watching her evolve and doing something with a passion.”

As Christa prepares to enter 11th grade at Genesis Academy, her future of performing professionally looks bright. She hopes to try out different areas of the performing arts in future, including acting and singing.