From the rhythm of the drums to the storytelling woven into Caribbean movement, internationally renowned choreographer Brice Vick says Trinidad and Tobago’s dance culture inspired him to connect directly with local talent through a special workshop this week.
Mr. Vick says Trinidad and Tobago’s deeply rhythmic and expressive culture made hosting a workshop here feel like a natural fit.
“It’s something about Caribbean dance that moved me. It’s the drums. Again, it’s the storytelling. And it’s the musicality that they have. And I know that they have so much talent out there where they don’t get an opportunity to have teachers from LA, New York, Miami, big name cities that come there and teach classes. So I wanted to give back, and I honestly don’t even want to say ‘give back’. I actually want to come and workshop them and let them workshop me as well.”
He explained that his choreographic style blends several dance disciplines, creating a unique fusion he hopes to share with participants during the workshop.
“I mix modern dance, which, from the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, I mix hip hop. I mix jazz. I mix a little bit of ballet, a little bit of strong technique alongside of dance. So it’s almost like a little gumbo soup. You know, a soup makes you feel good on a cold day and you’re sick? This is my style, it’s like that. I put a lot of ingredients of dance in there.”
President of the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Alette Williams, says local dancers already possess the talent and passion needed to excel. However, workshops like these provide the structure, vision and international insight needed to help elevate their craft.
“This is the vision you should have. This is how you could approach it. This is how you should attack it. I love that this is coming together so that it’s someone outside of our space who has that kind of satellite lens that’s going to give them the information they need to double down on what they already naturally have and are working on. So as the president and in our 40th anniversary, it’s just this is just so well aligned and such great timing as well.”
She adds that participants at every level can expect to leave with valuable lessons, experiences and techniques.
“There’s something in it for everybody, and everybody could leave with something different, something you could give to someone who couldn’t be there. Something you can learn that you could go back to class and teach your students about or something you could experience and grow personally from.”
The workshop will be held on Friday, May 15th, from 7pm to 10pm at Xtreme Dance Academy Headquarters, #47 Long Circular Road, St. James.