Icons of the the cartoon and toy universes, Mickey Mouse, Toy Soldiers and Barbie, watched in awesome wonder as a treasure trove of playful characters were unveiled in colourful movement during Saturday’s Bermuda Dance Academy recital.
The Berkeley Institute cafetorium resonated an unrelenting cacophony of sound, which fuelled an eclectic range of choreographed motion, under the skilled direction of dance teacher Nakia Manders, which well reflected the event’s moniker ‘Toy box Treasures’.
From hip hop to tap dance to modern dance to classical ballet, there was a flavour for everybody to relate and savour.
Students, from the precocious primary age group to the adolescent, all demonstrated a skilled discipline beyond expectation and exponentially more than the sum of the parts. Manders offered no exagerration as she told TNN’s Trevor Lindsay, who’s daughter Isabella shone as brightly as any, of her delight with the night’s performance.
“It was definitely a first class presentation,” said a beaming Manders, a renowned dance artist/choreographer in her own right. “The performances were truly phenomenal the kids did a first class job.
“It was wonderful to see them and they had great support from family, friends and those enjoying a night out. It was a great show.. “The audiences were amazed as soon as they walked through the doors. Everything from start to finish went off really well.
Manders was pleased with the attendance, especially after having to wait three years due to the Covid pandemic. “I’m very satisfied. It was our first show since Covid and having no restrictions, so it was very good to be able to have a lot of new students and new families come out and support the effort.
“Three years is a long time to have to wait. Some of the students were three-years-old and now they’re six-years-old so it was great to finally to be able to have them seen and perform in front of large audiences, be appreciated and have their hard work rewarded.
“It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and I really have to give a great shout out to my teachers and all who assisted in the project. They gave their all and I had a wonderful family to work with.
“My parents are truly great supporters, along with my mother Linda Manders, my cousin Dianne Hart, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
“Neither can I forget the parents who supported me from day one.
“So it’s really being a great adventure.”
Still, Toy box Treasures was but a moment, with many more promised as BDA continues to move forward and upward with many events on the immediate horizon. Summer activities are to include competitions, a summer camp and an overseas tour.
Said Manders: “Dance is really inspirational and mean so much to me and it’s amazing to be able to lend my experience and knowledge to them to enhance the arts of dance.”
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