This Is How You Do It
Alvin Ailey’s Judith Jamison Joins PGAHC’s Inaugural Dance Celebration In Honor Of New BSU President Dr. Aminta Breaux
Dr. Aminta Breaux (far left), Paula Brown, executive director of the Paula Brown Performing Arts Center (second from left), Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council Executive Director Rhonda Dallas (second from right). PHOTO: PRINCE GEORGE'S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
It’s not every day that a university gets to have a legendary Alvin Ailey Dance icon like Dr. Judith Jamison as a guest for a dance concert – let alone expect her to host a master class review of the performance rehearsal the night before.
But then it’s not every day that a woman has been selected to be the first female president of said university in its 153 year history.
And so with that, Jamison held the master class a day ahead of the April 11 concert performance by The IMPACT Dance Ensemble, The Paula Brown Performing Arts Center and Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.
Judith Jamison, Artistic Director Emerita, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. PHOTO: PRINCE GEORGE'S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
“I worked them hard,” Jamison said minutes before the program began. “They already knew the choreography. But I started nitpicking. That’s what I do. I started telling them about detail…about things of importance that you do in dance. About one step to the next step and how it’s important what comes in between -- like life. You better understand what’s happening to get you to the next step. When you understand that vibrato, then you begin your journey to becoming an artist.”
Jamison loved what she saw in the students.
“These young students were fabulous,” she exclaimed. “It’s a two way street that I call spiritual reciprocity. They are young, I am old but we are still exchanging information. We are sharing heart: spirit and gift.”
PHOTO: PRINCE GEORGE'S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
The international dance guru went on to suggest that dance can center life but that it doesn’t have to mean dance is the center of life. Remember where your gifts come from, she said.
“I know dancers who are ministers and lawyers and doctors,” she explained. “But if you want to be a dancer, keep going and dedicating yourself to where your gift comes from.”
Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Executive Director Rhonda Dallas worked with Paula Brown and Bowie State University to produce the concert in honor of Dr. Breaux, whose academic concentration was in psychology and dance when she was a student. Dallas was also influenced by dance at an early age.
“Growing up from the age of three in South Jamaica, Queens, my mother would pack a bag every Saturday and take me to Bernice Johnson’s Dance Studio where I danced for 12 years. I learned ballet and interpretive and jazz dance,” Dallas says of her early memories. “From that point it taught me confidence and poise. But most importantly it became the foundation for me understanding the transformative power of the arts.”
And what a power dance can be.
From the moment that IMPACT took the stage, the first piece, “Every Woman,” clearly aimed to settle the audience and take control of all the energy in the room. The all-female performers, though very young, had a majesty and composure far away from that of stereotypical teens and cell phone selfies. They established themselves as dancers with a profound series of messages. The second work, “Brown Ballerinas,” performed by grade-schoolers in black, took hearts and drew tears of joy with their artistry. By the time, “Selah,” the third work began, robust in pastel colors of flowing light fabric and Caribbean sounds, the performers were in complete control of the tone, the mood and the emotional being of their audience. “Freedom” spoke to modern day social and racial justice. And again, the artists brought their message of empowerment and solidarity through with a level of maturity and focus well beyond their years. It was like they’d been here before.
It was special to see classics such as “Daniel” and “Wade In The Water.”
“Thank you for coming to support this historic time for BSU and to support the arts,” Dr. Breaux said in closing remarks. “The arts are precious and near and dear to my heart. This is an amazing facility -- 63,000 sq. feet – to dedicate to the arts and make it available to our community and educate our youth. I want everyone to know that this is here. I’m honored that Judith Jamison came out to celebrate this historic time. Having you here is a dream come true for me. You inspired me to be more and do more. This will not be the last time you come to Bowie State University.”
