Denise's World

My Dance Hero Passes Away

I did extensive research on her in college. My dance hero, Katherine Dunham passed away on May 21, 2006. She was 96 years old. I admired her for so many reasons. The main reason was because not only was she a beautiful dancer/choreographer, she was an innovative scholar. Here is a tiny excerpt from one of my research papers:
"It cannot be disputted that Katherine Dunham made remarkable contributions to not only the wolrd of dance, but to the human race as well. Her curiosities about African American and African movement have led to the opening of many doors. This strong Black woman broke so many barriers that were eagerly waiting to be broken. At the very core of Dunham's significant contributions to dance is her anthropological explorations...Up to the point of Katherine Dunham's first anthropological exploration, which took place in teh Caribbean, no one had done an anthropological study solely of dance. This is now known as ethnochoreology. "
Through her studies, Ms. Dunham brought traditional African/Caribbean dance to the United States. This did two major things: First of all, it gave black dancers a stage to perform on which had otherwise been denied. And secondly, this brough African movement to the States. You may be thinking, "Ok, great. So when I see African dances being performed in the US, I can thank Ms. Dunham." But it goes so much deeper than that! Those core African elements can be seen everywhere from hip hop choreography to Broadway to modern dance!
Because of Ms. Dunham, I have always sought, not just to be a dancer, but to be a dance scholar. I never met you Katherine Dunham, but I want to thank you for the impact you have had on my life in dance! Fo more information, visit www.katherinedunham.org.

The Dance World Mourns

Frano, thank you for sharing your love of ballet with so many of us! Even though I was a modern dancer and not a ballerina, you had such a huge impact on my life both as a dancer and as a person. You were like the "Simon Cowell" of our department. :) If you got a compliment from Frano, you knew you were well on your way! Thank you for your honesty, dedication, and expertise! I dedicated my lead performance in Black Natvitiy to you! Rest in Peace! I know you are dancing in heaven! :) For more information on Frano, visit www.radford.edu. This picture came from that website.

Margot Fonteyn: A Life!

Wow! I am reading this amazing biography about perhaps the greatest ballerina that's ever lived...the one, the only Margot Fonteyn. I studied her in college in my History and Philosophy of Dance classes and found her to be a dancer that I could relate to. Like Margot, I have been praised more for my performance abilities rather than my technique. While I'm a good technician, there are certain movements that my body doesn't execute as well as I would like. This was difficult for me at first. I am a perfectionist so it killed me to be critqued for something I had no control overbecause I didn't start seriously dancing until I was in my teens. But I realized that I had the most valuable asset that a dancer could ever have; I dance from within and not every dancer can do that. You can have incredible, jaw-dropping technique, but if you aren't feeling and believing every move you make on that stage, the audience won't believe it either. Now, don't get me wrong, I ain't no Margot Fonteyn! LOL But I know I have grown as a dancer because I can point out my weaknesses and strengths with complete abandon. I don't worry if I come across as arrogant or critical of myslef because I know I am neither.
Reading about the life behind the dancer is always an amazing and more often than not, surprising journey. Margot was born Peggy Hookham - a British girl with Brazilian blood. Due to her Father's occupation she traveled frequently. These travels took her from American to China. But like a true dancer, she took dance with her everywhere she went. Her Mother always had the task of finding the right dance academies and dance masters for her strong-willed yet delicate daughter. I feel that her exposure to different cultures helped to make her the legend she became; she knew no limits. Yet she was a diamond in the rough. And I can so relate to that! I will never forget my first dance class! When I went to enroll into the dance academy, I had very little experience, but that did not stop the dance director from putting me into her advanced jazz classes. She says she just saw great potential in me and knew I was up to the task. Well I was tripping, twisting, and contorting myself to the point where I looked like joke. But I knew deep in my heart that I was a dancer so I kept at it, dancing at every moment I could. I ended up being a soloist at that academy and several other dance companies. There have continued to be bumps in the road, but that's a true artists' reality. AN ARTISTS' WORK IS NEVER DONE! THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN, MORE TO IMPROVE ON. An "artist" who feels otherwise is not realy an artist, but an egotist. I'm on Chapter 9 and I have a long ways to go. So far, so good!

Thank You Mrs. King

THANK YOU MRS. CORETTA SCOTT KING FOR YOU GRACE, DIGNITY, COURAGE, AND COMPASSION! GROWING UP, YOU WERE ALWAYS A WOMAN I LOOKED UP TO - SO CLASSY AND SOPHISTICATED, ELEGANT AND WELL-EDUCATED. I WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK TO YOU AS SOMEONE WHO STOOD FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVED IN AND NOT ONLY TALKED THE TALK, BUT WALKED THE WALK. GOD BLESS YOU MRS. KING! MAY YOU FIND ETERNAL REST ALONSIDE YOUR HUSBAND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR!

Memories from My Show

Whew! It's been a long time since I've updated my blog, but I have been busy doing wonderful things. My dance career has really taken off and all thanks goes to God. I was cast in a Christmas show. I had the lead female role. Wow! It was so much fun. The cast and crew were so fun and talented. Take a look at a few pics taken at the end of the last show. Peace and Blessings!

THANK YOU SO MUCH DAD FOR COMING SUCH A LONG WAY TO SEE MY SHOW! YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO ME! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! Thanks to my Mom who came to the show a week before. Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of her.

This is me with the Director of the show. THANK YOU SO MUCH ORANDE FOR INTRUSTING ME WITH SUCH A BIG ROLE!

I was SO blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and boyfriend who attended the show. I'm very grateful.

Once again, it's a pic of the two principle dancers!

Me and a great young dancer. His future is very promising.

This is me with one of the AMAZING drummers/actors in the show.

Here's an even greater drummer...I Love You Jason

My Beautiful Diva Cat, Ailey. :)

My Christmas Show

Happy New Year to all!!! God has blessed me emensely! I am dancing with an amazing dance company and had the opportunity to be the lead female dancer in a Christmas show that has been running for over 20 years!!! That's me in the pic along with the lead male dancer. He was incredible and fun to work with. This Christmas show was an African American version of the birth of Christ. I have to say that this show was not only good for my career, it was good for me spiritually. As a Christian, I never push my personal beliefs on others so what I'm about to say pertains to my personal journey. I played the role of Mary, Mother to Jesus Christ. There was a "birthing scene," and on the last night of the show (we performed the show 10 times), I feel like I TRULY got it! I've always known that Jesus was born and died to save us from sin, but it wasn't until this moment in the show that I felt it to my core and became truly grateful for His goodness and mercy. Tears poured down my face and wouldn't stop. The performer in me was thinking, "Oh no! My mascara is probably running! I probably look silly! I need to stop." But thankfully the woman in me let it all go and aloud myself to feel and embrace the moment. No one is perfect. We all fall short of God's glory. But somehow I manage to be a perfectionist and put an extreme amount of pressure on myself, especially when I "mess up." WHERE WOULD I BE IF I DIDN'T HAVE GOD'S FORGIVENESS AND MERCY?! Thank God He gives us 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th ... chances! As long as you are truly sorry and try not to repeat your mistakes, all the while learning something from the experience. There is NOTHING lost, only wisdom and humbleness gained!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

1. Favorite Dancers: Michael Jackson, Donna Wood, Judith Jamison 2.Favorite Choreographers: Alvin Ailey, Bob Fosse, Debbie Allen, Tina Landon 3.Favorite Dances: "Revelations," "If," "Cry," "Thriller," "Fosse" (The whole show) 4.Favorite Dances I've Performed In: "Mourning Morning," "Pearls of Tears," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "La Vita Nuova" 5.Favorite Dance Genre to Perform: African, modern, theatrical jazz, hip hop 6.Favorite Dance Class to Take: Ballet!!! and African!!!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY AILEY! MAMA LUVS U!!!

New Pics

Hi everyone! As promised, I have now posted some pics from a wedding I went to last weekend. I love going to weddings! I am a hopeless romantic and I must say that this wedding was so special. I would post a pic of me with the bride and groom, but I thought I'd get their permission first. So hopefully I'll post it later. Peace and Love!

To My Wonderful Brother: Words cannot express how much your love, support, and sheer presence mean to me. God could not have blessed me with a greater brother. Thank you for being the fun, caring, and wise person you are! HOLLA!