The Wolmer\u2019s Dance Troupe is less than one year away from celebrating 30 years of delivering productions that contrast with Jamaica\u2019s rhythmic culture and character. It\u2019s that time of the year when dancers, as young as four years old, get to exhibit their talent. Its 29th season of dance will be no different in that regard, but according to artistic director and founder Barbara McDaniel, there is always a bolt from the blue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe people who usually attend our season of dance always enjoy watching the children perform, entertaining with pieces that eloquently touch the senses. Not all dance pieces choreographed might draw a person, but there is almost always something for everybody to take pleasure in,\u201d McDaniel told The Gleaner<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of this year\u2019s theme, \u2018Sense of Peace\u2019, she added, \u201cWhile in rehearsal, I was trying to think of a concept that harmonised with the production, and most pieces are centred on finding that. It is my expectation that our audience will leave feeling a sense of peace, love, unity, gratitude, and pride.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elaborating, the artistic director noted that pride is one emotion that she could not deny herself, having a dance troupe that has played a role in the development of some of Jamaica\u2019s burgeoning and successful dancers, like Shelley-Ann Maxwell and Tara Price, who are part of the internationally acclaimed musical Lion King<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n McDaniel can count more than 400 children passing through her hands throughout her 36 years at Wolmer\u2019s Preparatory School, 30 of which have been dedicated to the Wolmer\u2019s Dance Troupe. Passing on the troupe\u2019s legacy is crucial to more than just the world of dance. Its work has been a key part of not only the dance world\u2019s seismic shift from simple movements to explosive expression observed on the local and global stages, but also the discipline displayed by members who have matured with the troupe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have managed to coach several dancers-turned-choreographers who demonstrate the commitment, interest, and aptitude to carry on the legacy, but the truth is, as you start coaching them, better opportunities comes, and they have to go,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For her, that evolution of dance and dancers must touch on all facets of life. She admits that she has stepped back to direct rather than choreograph in order to give the young talents a chance. \u201cWe are an institution that gives birth to dancers and choreographers. This year, we are making dancers of our fathers,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eight fathers are expected to share the stage with their daughters this weekend, from the curtain call at the Little Theatre tonight 7 p.m., then on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Wolmer\u2019s Dance Troupe is less than one year away from celebrating 30 years of delivering productions that contrast with Jamaica\u2019s rhythmic culture and character. It\u2019s that time of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3425"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3425"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3425\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3427,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3425\/revisions\/3427"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wolmers.org\/wps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}PROUD DIRECTOR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n