Klassique Showcases Talent To Packed House With 'iDance'

iDance

On Saturday, November 28th, Klassique Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, Anguilla (KADPAA) brought to stage its annual dance recital with a packed house at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium.  The dance recital put together by the Academy’s board members and staff, reflected the great potential and talent of Anguilla’s young men and women; all members of the academy and ranged from the ages of 3 to 29 years old.  The performances of the evening included pieces in ballet, hip-hop, gospel, soca, modern, dance hall, belly dance, lyrical, jazz, and an outstanding performance by an adult trio which comprised the Founder of KADPAA, Choreographer and Instructor, Ms. Valencia Prentice-Connor, Choreographer and Instructor, Ms. Gina Grell and academy member Ms. Soerida Kalmera.

Saturday night’s dance recital labeled with the theme iDance was brought together to showcase the talents and outstanding achievements of the dancers and the academy as this year draws to an end.  It is one that the youths and staff worked hard towards especially in the few weeks leading up to the public stage appearance.  KADPAA, which consists of 6 dance groups, brought to stage their best selections in 26 choreographed dances in a 3 hour long show.  Performances by the Twinkle Babies (ages 3-4) and the Twinkle Toes (ages 5-6) groups of the academy bravely performed a number of impressive and entertaining renditions to an audience of spectators and proud parents.  The Juniors (ages 6-11), Intermediates (ages 12-14) and Seniors (ages 15-20) rocked the house with several new outstanding dance renditions and some familiar performances including Michael Jackson’s ‘I’m Bad’ and ‘Thriller’ pieces which received welcoming cheers and applauds from the audience.  KADPAA prides itself not only on developing the art and skill of dance and performing arts within the community of Anguilla and its youngsters, but also on changing the lives of its students to one that reflects positive behavior and outstanding performance in the arts. 

With one of the objectives of KADPAA being to ‘nurture and build self-esteem of each student in order to attain a sense of accomplishment, poise and positive self worth’ the academy has managed to groom some of its senior dancers to choreograph and instruct the Juniors of the academy.  Many of the performances by Juniors and Intermediates were pieces choreographed and taught by senior attendees of KADPAA.  The students of all groups and ages, including the tots of Twinkle Babies and Twinkle Toes were thrilled by the recital and very excited to exhibit to the public their great achievements in classes over this past year.  The instructors of KADPAA were equally proud to share with the public the evident growth and the potential of the students of the academy.  

KADPAA was founded in October 2007, with the mission to enrich, educate, entertain and create an artistic climate in the community through the appreciation of dance.  The academy, Board Members, and Staff, extend appreciation to the general public and supporters of KADPAA.  A special thanks and appreciation to KADPAA 2009 dance programme sponsors, the Government of Anguilla:  Ministry of Social Development, Anguilla Community Foundation and Aronel. Special thanks is also extended to the iDance recital sponsors  First Caribbean International Bank , Anguilla Stage and Lights, 5 Star Corp, Caribbean Commercial Bank, National Bank of Anguilla, National Commercial Data Services (NCDS), Social Security, Lake’s Supermarket, Valley Optic, Anglec, LIME and Max Printing.