A Spotlight on ArtSea Dance: Amplifying Opportunities for Bahamian Dancers
Artsea Dance is an organization in the Bahamas that hosts weekend-long workshops for young dancers in Nassau. In addition to dance lessons on jazz, ballet, and hip-hop, the dancers also learn choreography, career guidance, and body wellness practices.
Courtney Spears, ArtSea’s Co-Founder and Director, is a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and has traveled the world teaching and performing. Spears was inspired to connect dancers in her family’s homeland of the Bahamas to dance opportunities around the world. She teamed up with her brother, ArtSea’s Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Asa Cary to help bring the workshops to life.
We connected with Spears to learn more about her vision behind ArtSea Dance! Read more below.
Related: Ballet Culture Around the World: A Conversation with Courtney Spears
Photo: Courtney Spears, shot by Rachel Neville
What do you hope dancers will gain from your workshops?
Courtney Spears: I hope dancers gain a sense of ownership and confidence within their gift. I of course want them to leave with tools that will propel them forward, give them structure on how to pursue dance professionally, and advice for their next steps. The dance industry is tough to navigate physically and emotionally, so I like to leave them with practical applications they can carry with them.
Photo: ArtSea dancers, provided by Courtney Spears
What's the most important thing you want dancers to walk away with?
Courtney Spears: Tips ranging from college readiness and resume building to physical therapy and overall wellness. But personally, nothing feels better than a student leaving ArtSea feeling good about themselves and what they shared, no matter the technical level. It's about empowering them to be their best selves, and dance is the vessel to do so. Dance is a gift, and my hope is that they gain a deeper sense of appreciation for their talent and love for the art form!
Photo: ArtSea dancers, shot by Braxton Gardiner
Why is ArtSea an important organization for Bahamian dancers?
Courtney Spears: ArtSea is an important organization for Bahamian dancers because it validates their dreams of pursuing dance professionally and making it a viable career option. Unfortunately, dance in The Bahamas is viewed as a "hobby" or extracurricular activity and is not typically seen as a sustainable career option. We hope that as we bring teachers, physical therapists, and college counselors to share with our students, that we start to expand the minds of the Bahamian culture to give the arts, specifically dance, the platform and resources it deserves to uplift and empower the next generation.
As ArtSea Dance celebrates their 5 year anniversary, they will be hosting their first Master Class Series consisting of 4 workshops. Throughout this series, they will invite guests to Nassau, Bahamas for in-person classes. Each guest will specialize in different genres of dance, and classes are open to all ages. The workshops will also be streamed online so more dancers, specifically in the Bahamas, can have access. Visit ArtSea’s website to learn more about the organization and its 2021 Master Class Series.
Brown Girls Do Ballet is a proud 2021 Presenting Sponsor of ArtSea Dance!