Three budding ballet dancers from Dreamchasers Cayman are heading to the Big Apple to attend the Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive training programme this summer.
Twins Peyton and Mal’yka Morrison, 12, and Imani Miller, 11, were selected to attend the training being held 15 July to 2 Aug., following video and virtual auditions held earlier this month.
“I’m ecstatic because Cayman is so small, and the dance world is a big ocean,” said Melisha McField, owner and artistic director of Dreamchasers. “I’m proud that they’ve gone through the audition process and actually got accepted. It speaks volumes.”
She told the Compass this is the second consecutive year for Cayman to be represented at the prestigious programme.
“Their hard work has paid off. Before even all of this, the three dancers and I, every Sunday morning, would prepare for the auditions. We’d wake up early, go to the dance studio… I would have extra classes outside of their normal classes, just to prepare.”
McField explained the ballet-based programme places dancers on different levels of training according to their ability, but the overall experience is valuable in whatever group they are placed.
“This elite training gives them a lot of exposure, not only cultural exposure, but will give them a sense of understanding and broadening their craft. Even though dance can be a passion, there needs to be a technical component also,” she said.
According to the Dance Theatre of Harlem website, the Summer Intensive activities include classes in ballet and pointe, meeting and training with special guest instructors, showings for families, and a trip to see a Dance Theatre performance.
McField said the girls will get a chance to learn modern contemporary, jazz, ballet and African dancing, and stretching.
For a first timer, Imani told the Compass, “I’m super excited but nervous at the same time because I don’t know what to expect. The thing I’m looking forward to the most is learning more about different types of dances and to see how I can improve. I’m also excited to meet new people.”
‘Challenging but exciting’
Peyton and Mal’yka will be attending the programme for the second time. Peyton called her repeat trip “very exciting… because consistency makes me a better dancer than what I already am. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends and meeting new ones.”
Mal’yka added, “Just having to go through the experience again, even though it was challenging last year, has me excited, because it will help me improve my dance skills once again. I’m looking forward to seeing old faces, because I gained a lot of new friends, and I can’t wait to see them in person again.”
McField noted the importance of getting young dancers involved. “The passion can only get you so far. Seeing the potential these dancers have at an early age, I’m pushing them to get as much exposure as possible,” she said.
Since creating the dance company in 2017, McField has trained about 80 local dancers. Three of her former dancers have since travelled to the US to pursue dance or some form of the arts – Cassiedy Davis Quintero, Gianna Gregory and Maia Pitta.
“The hope is to have all my dancers who are passionate about dance to endeavour to develop their technique, dance vocabulary and love for dance, outside of Cayman. To expand their knowledge, passion and creativity,” McField said.
She added, “We’re always looking for more support from the community and we hope that we can continue to instil in the youth, the value of dance and arts.”
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