Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, a hip-hop-style choreography performed by students of Impressions Dance Theatre on June 24, set the tone for an evening of exciting entertainment at the school’s 15th Anniversary Recital at PS 268 in Jamaica, Queens.
Artistic Director Verna Walcott-White’s goal is to enrich the lives of children by promoting skills that enhance multi-cultural and creative dance. This showed through in the various levels of performances in the solo pieces, “My Desire,” “Ballet First Steps,” “Enchantment,” “Happy Feet,” and “Syncopation.”
The fluidity, precision, and skillful way in which the students executed their movement is a testament to the training they attained during the school year.
The stage lit up with a variety of styles, throwing the kids into a frenzy of sway, boogie, bop and splits.
Pieces — “Reminisce,” “Earth Tones” and “Intergalactic,” and inspiring gospel movement — “Testimonials,” “Way Maker,” “You Deserve It,” “Break Every Chain” and “We Worship You,” garnered loud applause from the audience.
The dazzling array of costumes designed with glitter, trimmings, tulle and etchings in brilliant hues, brought to life the production that Walcott-White, along with choreographers, Wayne Daniels, Victor Brown, and Bobby Carter, worked tirelessly to bring to the stage.
Parents were heard screaming their children’s name, as the colorful lights came up and the dancers dived into their routine.
“Rhythm in Motion,” “The Beat of Africa,” “The Culture,” “Jazz — Life of the Party,” “Razz Ma Tazz,” “Untamed,” and “Urban Jam,” were all electrifying sequences that could be summed up into one description — spectacular!
In addition to the younger dancers, Walcott-White incorporated choreographers, former students and guest dancers, to bring the show to a crescendo, that climaxed with a blend of Caribbean Calypso rhythm.
Walcott-White, who collaborated with the Health Education Relief Organization for Cancer, (HEROC) and President Lorna Welshman-Neblett could safely that her 15 years on stage has been an accomplished journey.
For this, she thanked the Hon. Barbara Atherly, Guyana consul general to New York, aide to Senator Roxanne Persaud, Jennifer Viechweg Horsford, Dr. Rose October-Edun, Michele Singh, Malcolm Hall, and the entire production team who made the recital a success.
Impressions Dance Theatre expresses gratitude for the proclamation received from Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President, certificates, and a proclamation from Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.
There have also been citations from Council Member Adrienne Adams, and citations from Councilmember Daneek Miller.
For more information on how to become a member of Impressions Dance Theatre, contact Teacher Verna, at Impressions Dance Theatre, Inc. – Scholarship Learning And After School Inc. -111-10- Merrick Blvd, Jamaica NY 11433 – 347-432-2856.
