Michael Holgate, Gleaner Writer

'D'Oro Dance Ensemble perform a dance move at the Little Theatre recently.- photos by winston sill/freelance photographer

If there is one thing the Jamaican arts scene is not short of it's dance companies. If fact, it seems like there's another one born every year.

This year is no exception. The inaugural season of dance for the D'Oro Dance Ensemble took place at the Little Theatre, last weekend. The show, entitled New Links, showcased the talents of young dancers who have been trained and groomed by artistic director Dwayne Fullwood and associate directors Tamaria Reid and Orrette Beckford.

The programme notes declare these founding directors to be "three good friends" who aim to take their young people to "higher and higher levels of dancing where excellence, discipline, dedication and commitment can be seen".

After viewing the New Links show, it is clear that their ambitious boast was not an empty promise. The first thing that strikes one from the show is how remarkably well trained the children are. While viewing the show, one begins to wonder what they are putting in the water at Jessie Ripoll and Mona High, where most of the young performers onstage hail from, having had Dwayne Fullwood as their dance teacher.

not the average children

This was not the average children 'jump-up-and-down-for-parents' kind of show that one might expect from a dance concert featuring such young performers. It was obvious that the choreographers had set a different agenda for themselves.

In fact, one might say that the choreographers operated as if choreographing for adults. This is not to say that inappropriate adult themes were in evidence, but that the technical dance feats placed on the bodies of the young dancers are usually not attempted with such young dancers.

One might argue that this is not necessarily a good thing, but those at the show were amazed by the flair, energy and strong technique with which the dancers delivered for their choreographers and directors.

The show was a study in how much children can be challenged to take talent to the next level. ONe sees children in China performing great feats and think 'they must have been training since birth'.

Phenomenal

the children of D'Oro demonstrated dance technique that seem equally phenomenal, not in an acrobatic way, but in their consciousness of their bodies as instruments and how to use them. If this were the GSAT I would say of D'Oro 'here are the government scholars fo rdance in Jamaica'.

However, beyond the remarkably talented and well-trained youngsters, the artistic elements of the show could do with some sprucing up. A stark stage with near general lighting did little to enhance the visual impact for the audience.

There is no doubt, however, that Dwayne Fullwood and his team are to be commended for a first-class inaugural season. Fullwood, who trains and dances with the Stella Maris Dance Company, started out teaching dance at Tivoli

Now is the time

He says that this New Links show is aimed at bringing pleople from different ways of life and experience together and encouraging them to reach for their goals as he reaches for his.

Fullwood says he has always wanted to have his own company and 'now is the time". He hopes to emulate and follow in the footsteps for his idol, Tony Wilson, artistic director of The Company. His inaugural show has placed him into a very good position to do that. D'Oro has arrived and if this is the future, then the sun is shinning brightly on Jamaican dance.