Artistry Youth Dance Launch First African and Caribbean Dance Company in London

25 Oct 2013 19:27 Africa/Lagos


Artistry Youth Dance to Promote Diversity in Dance by Encouraging Young Londoners of African and Caribbean Descent to Achieve Success in Dance

LONDON, October 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Artistry Youth Dance has launched London's first youth dance company to teach jazz, contemporary dance and Horton technique to young people of African and Caribbean descent. The not-for-profit organization, launched in April of this year, aims to cultivate a more culturally diverse representation of dancers within the industry by showcasing talented young dancers of African and Caribbean descent. Teaching ballet as well as workshops in a variety of other dance styles including hip-hop and musical theater, the company supports young people to realize their talents in dance and creates pathways for further education in the Arts. Having accepted its first intake of 10 students (aged 14-19), Artistry Youth Dance is now looking to progress towards its first performances later this year.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131025/648039-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131025/648039-b )

Kamara Gray, Artistic Director of Artistry Youth Dance, financed the launch entirely herself. Gray said: "That's how much I believe in it! It is a fantastic opportunity for the young people involved to learn a variety of techniques and skills from first-rate teachers, as well as improving their all-round strength and flexibility. We aim to help our dancers become strong, confident and versatile individuals, both on and off the stage." She added: "I have always wanted to be able to give something back to young dancers, particularly those from the African and Caribbean communities."

Artistry Youth Dance is particularly excited to bring Horton technique - a blend of ballet, Native American folk dance, Japanese arm gestures, and Caribbean, Javanese, and Balinese techniques - to London youth. "All of our teachers are highly experienced and have trained at the Ailey School in New York," says Gray. "We are the only youth dance company in London to teach Horton technique, so this is a wonderful opportunity for young dancers."

ABOUT ARTISTRY YOUTH DANCE

Artistry Youth Dance is a vibrant youth dance company for aspiring performers of African and Caribbean descent, aged 14-19 years. With a focus on jazz and contemporary dance, we aim to provide training and performance opportunities for our Company members, showcasing their talents and celebrating their artistry.

We hope that through Artistry Youth Dance, our students will develop their dance and performance techniques, enabling them to go on to further training in the arts and a career in dance. We also support our dancers to develop a range of life skills that can be applied to any career they choose to pursue.

Aspiring dancers can audition for the company's next intake here: http://www.artistryyouthdance.com/register/

ABOUT KAMARA GRAY

Kamara is an experienced dance teacher and performer of Jamaican heritage who has taught extensively in the UK, Australia and Kuwait. She was born in Papua New Guinea and grew up in Sydney, where she began studying dance at age four. Kamara continued her dance training at the Ailey School in New York and Dance World 301 in Melbourne. As a performer, her credits include film, television, and live events, including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony as a Lead Tap dancer, the MTV Europe Awards, and L'Heure Espagnole with the Royal Opera.

http://www.artistryyouthdance.com/

Contact
Kamara Gray
Artistic Director, Artistry Youth Dance
kgray@artistryyouthdance.com | http://www.artistryyouthdance.com

CONTACT: Mobile: +44(0)794-6678-419

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