When the Caribbean School of Dancing was founded by Marcia Mose in 1957 students were strictly taught ballet.
Over the years the school’s repertoire expanded and even more so as teachers had to get innovative during the pandemic.
Now, in its 65th year, classes include ballet, tap, jazz, creative dance, hip hop, modern, contemporary, choreography, and yoga/ pilates.
Bridgette Wilson, 36, principal of the Caribbean School of Dancing (CSD) and rehearsal director of its Metamorphosis Dance Company explained: “Since we predominantly had syllabus classes geared towards exams, when covid happened and we understood we probably wouldn’t get to do exams in 2021, we had to go back to the drawing board to see what we could do to keep the students engaged and the student motivated when there was no exam or show to work towards.
[caption id="attachment_951176" align="alignnone" width="789"] Bridgette Wilson says the Caribbean School of Dancing has created a legacy that must continue for another 65 years. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
“We decided to cut some ballet classes because doing so in your living room or outside is very challenging. So we introduced contemporary dance as well as yoga. We also started a choreography class for senior students and that has done really well.”
She felt it was a disservice not to help her students with this important class, especially if they intended to further their studies in dance. So she hired CSD alumni Terry Springer who danced in Venezuela for 20 years.
On April 1 and 2, kicking off CSD’s anniversary celebrations, the school hosted a choreography showcase featuring the work of the students. It also held a logo and slogan competition as the board wanted to engage past and current students and involve them in the re-branding the school.
The results will be released on April 25 and the winning logo and slogan will be featured on all CSD 65th anniversary merchandise which will be on sale later this year.
On that same day, the school will reopen both its studios to all their students regardless of their vaccination status for the first time since 2020.
In addition, Metamorphosis Dance Company plans to host several performances in July at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, its first show since 2019. The school is also trying to raise $650,000 on FundMeTnT for upgrades to the building as the past few years have seen a drastic decrease in students as parents dealt with various situations surrounding covid19.
[caption id="attachment_951178" align="alignnone" width="730"] Terry Springer, choreographer and senior teacher at the Caribbean School of Dancing. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
CSD will be celebrating its anniversary with more events until March of next year.
“I think it’s important that the school continues to exist for more than 65 years because I know the value of what it has done, not just for me but many others who have passed through the school and credits their experiences there for their success.”
CSD was started by Mose using the Royal Academy of Dance ballet syllabus sys
