DANCE choreographer Clive Prowell is a force to be reckoned with at the Classique Dance Company which he founded in 2000, having excelled at dancing at the National School of Dance.

This enthusiastic individual says dancing is in his blood; and he keeps on going, knowing he has made a difference in the development of dancing locally.

He told the Chronicle that innumerable hurdles attend the life of a dancer, but the returns are great, since dancing took him to many foreign places and he has had numerous lifetime experiences.

Prowell said he was propelled to dancing when a friend invited him to a show which featured dancing.
He was not pleased with the performances, and made his feelings known. He said he was challenged by that friend to make it better at dancing.

This challenge motivated him, and he enrolled in dancing classes at the National School of Dance. After nine months, Prowell said he was ready to do his own thing in the world of dance.

Six years later he opened his own dance studio, featuring contemporary dancing. It now has more than 50 members, and is touted to be one of the best.

He wanted to have his own dance studio to engage more men in dancing, and to introduce his own style to motivate and mould young dancers. Today, his dance company has grown significantly.

This year, his dance company would be celebrating its 15th anniversary, and Prowell added that the company is going great, and he is bent on changing the face of dance by having more men in dancing, an activity currently dominated by women.

He said his dance company has several men, and the dancers are all gifted and work very hard to be on top of their game in terms of dancing, and he credits that to their willingness to learn and elevate themselves.

Prowell is a ‘no nonsense’ person who can work with anyone intent on learning how to dance, but he said that operating a local dance company is not easy, because local people think there is no future in dancing. Foreigners, however, dance as part of their culture, and they embrace and support dancing.

He said people are reluctant to offer sponsorships since dancing is considered unimportant in our society; but he noted that, in dancing, there are no real opportunities here. But these things do not deter him from moving ahead.

Prowell is very passionate about dancing and wants his dancers to do better and have a decent, respected life as any other person but he is a ‘behind the scene’ kind of guy, who does his work well.

He admitted that apart from doing dance routines for his students and dancers he has not been on stage to perform in 13 years and that is not going to happen any time soon although he often gets the ‘adrenaline rush’ to do so.

This talented dance teacher would like to see the development of Dance, as an art form, locally and see it gets the respect it deserves and is optimistic that it will happen.

Prowell, 33, is single with no children and says dancing has enhanced his life and has opened many doors for him and it can do the same for anyone who will embrace dancing.

He said, “Dancing can change your life and can bring a host of opportunities and one should only participate in dancing for the love of it.”

CLASSIQUE DANCE COMPANY
The Classique Dance Company is known to be one of Guyana’s most successful and well known contemporary dance companies, founded in 2000 by dancer and choreographer Mr. Clive Prowell with just 3 dancers.

The company’s mission has since been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self esteem and inspiring self-expressive community action. The company has travelled throughout Guyana.

“Our repertoire of major events also includes CARIFESTA 10, of which the company was selected to lead the opening ceremony and represent the CARIFESTA logo,” he said.

The Company has built a loyal audience base, and has received accolades for its kinetic, high-energy performances, technical acuity, and generous personality. Such rewards include the Marcus Garvey Award of Excellence for sterling achievements and contributions in 2000-2009 in the field of performing arts (dance), which was awarded on the September, 19th, 2009.

Classique’s continued success can be directly attributed to the quality of training the dancers undergo, and the distinct dance techniques imparted by nationality renowned teachers.

“Our members participate in a dance experience of which all the instructors promote self-confidence, poise, personal achievement, and pure love for dance and artistic expression. Since its inception, the Classique dance company has received international acclaim from audiences throughout South America, the Caribbean and the United States of America.

The Company also performed for the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) meeting held at the National Cultural Centre on the 25th of November, 2010. “Details of our major performances include performances at the Guyana Folk Festival 2010/2012, held in Brooklyn, NY, of which 8 out of 16 of our company members participated,” he disclosed.

In 2012, the Classique dance company of Guyana was awarded “Best Dance Production/Dance Company in the Caribbean” at the West Indian Music Award Ceremony. Classique itself usually hosts three shows per year at the National Cultural Centre, to show the company’s growth. Colour of La Dance is usually held in March, Dance Like U Do is held in August, and Classique and Friends — our Christmas show — in December.

By Michel Outridge