INSIDE THIS ISSUE A conversation with Dorraine Reid A Glimpse of Graduation 2017 Honouring our Founders Open Day 2018 The “budding” Arts Manager The Great Debate: Dance vs Math
Editor’s Note dent.
Photocred: Robert Ayre
There is never “a dull moment” at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Second semester easily rivals Semester 1 with activities from faculty shows to student productions and more. In this issue of the Collegiate, we recap the closure of semester 1 with our annual graduation ceremony , we celebrate a member of faculty who made her directorial debut. Our student feature showcases the entrepreneurial prowess of a second year Arts Management stu-
evening with us and enjoy beautiful
We also share pieces of our music by School of Music Faculty Founders Week and Annual Open for a contribution of $2,500.00. Day from the lenses of our student photographers and latest team adRemember, if you happen to dition Robert Ayre. be struck by a performance or a piece of art, send us your We continue to engage com- thoughts/photos so we could munities through the community share it with our audiences. Theatre Workshop and explore the Join us for a play, concert, importance of dance in schools exhibition or a creative conversawith members of our faculty at the tion and I promise you will agree School of Dance.We also celebrate that the EMCVPA is the “greatest re-accreditation, partnerships and little place on earth” but you will only Actor Boy nominations for our know when you visit. See you soon! School of Drama productions. One love On April 30, 2018 the Coleen Douglas College will join the international Director, Marketing and community in celebrating Jazz Day Communications on the East lawns of Devon House ____________________________ featuring special guest artiste Submit all editorial material to Dr. Randy Weston, International marketing@emc.edu.jm with Pianist/Composer with the African “The Collegiate Editorial” Rhythms Trio along with members included in the subject line. of the School of Music. Spend the
Principal’s Desk Items carried by ArtStock by EMCVPA include authentic handcrafted and limited edition fine art pieces to include but not limited to jewellery, ceramics, textiles and fibre arts, paintings, prints, gift cards and CD/DVD compilations of performances. These are designed to appeal to a wide cross-section of individuals with a discerning taste. They vary from ceramics to aromaEMCVPA “Cultivating a Creative therapy oils, works of art for the Cultivating a Creative Economy through Economy” is part and parcel of home and decor, souvenirs, fashits living mission of “…highest ion, EMCVPA memorabilia, inspiquality education and training…” rational notelets and photographs. to actively pursue opportunities that will allow the institution to Items are sourced from past grow creatively and financial- and present members of faculty, ly, individually and collectively. current students, graduates as ArtStock by EMCVPA is a test of well as other individuals who The Edna Manley College of the our courage in what we do best. are affiliated with the institution and are producing high quality Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) is the first and still the only ArtStock by EMCVPA is the institu- art items. Items are sourced to institution of its kind within the En- tion’s first Gift Shop and is locat- guarantee a variety of affordable glish-speaking Caribbean to pro- ed at Edna Manley College of the price points and also to ensure vide professional and technical Visual and Performing Arts (EM- stock wmovement. training in the arts. The College CVPA), 1 Arthur Wint Drive, Kingsoffers qualifications for individuals ton 5, Jamaica. Managed by the Target customers include, local professionals, tourists preparing for careers in the visu- EMCVPA, ArtStock by EMCVPA is a young al and performing arts, and arts business enterprise for the College from hotels in the New Kingston management. Notwithstanding, and its clients. The establishment of and adjoining areas, local the tertiary education mandate, we ArtStock by EMCVPA was support- vacationers and art aficionados. are very keen in creating oppor- ed by a grant from the Tourism tunities for economic enterprises. Enhancement Fund (TEF) and Later in the year: commenced with a launch on A series of special events to The vision of the EMCVPA speaks June 9, 2016. include performance art – to the College being a centre for music, dance, drama and poetry arts and culture, broadening and readings will be added for your strengthening relationships, enartistic pleasure. Your favourite suring a sustained social and acfun snacks and beverage to ademic environment devoted to include vended coffee and sound moral, social, spiritual and baked products will be available ethical principles, creating opporfor an authentic experience. tunities for economic enterprises and providing quality staff devoted to the College. This vision, formulated over four decades ago, remains important and at the forefront as it impacts how we engage with upcoming opportunities, as well as daily operations. This vision translates to the College being relevant, our staff being effective and our students and graduates being self-fulfilled and self-directed.
ArtStock by EMCVPA needs your
support: • Your purchases will contribute to the development of the arts and encourage Artists, students and graduates who are devoted to their practice. • Your purchases will directly build careers in the arts, establish professionals and leaders in the practice of the arts. • Your purchases will allow you to contribute to creating opportunities for economic enterprises that will support the development of
the institution and the interest of the EMCVPA through scholarships and work and study opportunities for students. Come and celebrate with us, purchase your next gift at
ArtStock by EMCVPA. You may reach me at anytime by dropping a line to principal@emc.edu.jm. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson
SHOULD DANCE HAVE THE SAME STATUS IN SCHOOLS AS MATH? “Dance has the power to change the lives of young people. It is a force in shaping identity, affirming culture and exploring heritage in an increasingly borderless world. Creative and empowering pedagogies are driving curriculum development worldwide where the movement of peoples and cultures generates new challenges and possibilities for dance education in multiple contexts.” Nielson and Burrridge In Dance Education around the World: Perspectives on Dance, Young People and Change, researchers Charlotte Svendler Nielsen and Stephanie Burridge bring together studies of the value of dance in all kinds of settings: from Finland to South Africa, from Ghana to Taiwan, from New Zealand to America. The study asserts that the low status of dance in schools is derived in part from the high status of conventional academic work, which associates intelligence mainly with verbal and mathematical reasoning. The studies collected by Nielsen and Burridge explore how a
deeper understanding of dance challenges standard conceptions of intelligence and achievement and show the transformative power of movement for people of all ages and backgrounds. Dance
Sophia McKain, Head of Department, Dance Education - Unlike Math, which only
utilizes the cognitive domain, Dance in Education by virtue of its nature targets the cognitive(can help restore joy and stability mental), psychomotor (physical) in troubled lives and ease the ten- and affective (social and emosions in schools disrupted by vio- tional) domains. Dance educalence and bullying. (https://ideas. tion allows for the holistic develted.com/why-dance-is-just-as- opment of the individual, which important-as-math-in-school/) is the foundation of a successful society.
Junior Dept. School of Dance
The Collegiate caught up with Neila Ebanks, Acting Director of some members of Faculty at the Studies - Dance is the MATH School of Dance for their opinions; for the BODYMIND; geometry,
algebraic calculation, logic and the embodied understanding of numeracy through learning rhythm, are part and parcel of even the most basic dance class experience, not to mention the levels of abstract thinking that are required when in performance or in choreography and creation mode. Imagine the wondrous young Jamaicans we would have if the body mind was able to learn and practice its MATH, from as early as the ‘rithmetic is taught. It’s an ALL-BRAINER, really and it needs to be embraced as such.
Kerry Ann Henry, Dean School of opportunities for immersion with Dance – “The aim of education is content in other subject areas, the development of individuals to be productive global citizens. All subjects therefore have value in achieving this as individuals need to be well rounded with a broad knowledge base and varied experiences. A key issue in education today is being able to provide immersive experiences that allow individuals to develop personal engagement with topics/ content. Subjects like Dance are therefore integral to be placed as compulsory aspects within curricula as it not only offers
through kinesthetic involvement, but also as a discrete subject, as it engages all spheres at the same time i.e. the social, emotional, cognitive and psychomotor experience and education. No other art form/subject area does this.”
Paul Newman, Lecturer Dance –
“Dancing engages all the domains of learning. While Mathematics primarily focuses on one’s cognitive capabilities, dance however, engages the cognitive, affective and psychomotor.”
Members of Faculty at School of Dance
THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTS MANAGERS: MEET ZAYNA MAXWELL Contributor: Anthea Octave, PhD, Director of Studies SAMH The key objective at the School of Arts Management is to prepare our student for the contemporary creative climate and equip them with the knowledge and skills to craft a career. Zanya Maxwell, a second-year student in the BA Arts Management Degree programme, has been actively engaged in maximizing the opportunities offered her at the EMCVPA. Zanya was featured in our Open Day engagement with prospective students, and we have brought you highlights of the conversation with Zanya. It is said that experience brings wis-
dom, but I believe without expe rience there’s no wisdom and without previous and continued wisdom experience can’t be obtained. That’s the core foundation of a living legacy. The experience that are learnt the wisdom that are gained and the way we use life’s stories, lessons, sentiments, traditions that are captured to allow existing and future generation to understand about our journey. My legacy started in May 1999 and ever since then I’ve been living,
learning, challenged, accomplishing, and most importantly enjoying while journeying. My journey has thus far landed me in the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts where I’m pursing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arts Management and Humanities. It was being at this creative intuition and being surrounded by creative being, my drive and motive to make a difference that boosted me in building a clothing brand: GEEZAM Streetwear. GEEZAM: Living Legacy was developed mainly as an aim to promote positivity, integration and allow individuals to be accepting of themselves and others. The Z is the definite logo in GEEZAM and it features a less than and a greater than sign with an equal in between which means that you’re no less than nor greater than any individual; we are all equal. The Z also highlight two L’s both turning backway to each other with one being up sided, the two L’s means Living Legacy. People may see it as merely a clothing brand but for me its more than that; #IssaLegacy for both me and you. This program of study: Arts Management and Humanities I make use of it and it has helped me tremendously to build and improve GEEZAM Streetwear. In every course that is offered to me I make reference to my brand as an example and every assignment that is given I use my brand as the topic. My favorite courses so far have been Intellectual Property in which I learn about copyright, trademark, patent, industrial designs, contracts, and Introduction to Arts Marketing which has taught me ways in which to market products/services. Stars can’t shine without help from the dark/night. You can’t do everything on your own. There’s nothing wrong in getting or accepting help from others with that said besides the courses that I do and my lecturers, the individuals that I’ve met while attending this college and are surrounded by have been very helpful. My models, photographers, graphic designer, and friends, some of which are also students of this institution have also contributed in helping me to gain content for the GEEZAM Streetwear social media pages and to market the products and also to my parents and sibling who have contributed financially, I am grateful for them, the resources that are available and the people who I’m surrounded by.
CAMPUS NEWS ReAccreditation for Schools of Music and Arts Management The Arts nod with The and
DESIGNS – a lifestyle management and concierge service for seniors. It fulfills a variety of needs for the retirement community such as in the areas of skills training, travel, health advisory and other engagement activities. Golden Designs makes the elderly feel empowered and remains connected with society.
BA in Arts Management and the Associate of in Arts Management Programmes received a from the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) certificates of accreditation on March 6, 2018. The students did very well in the competition UCJ also accredited the BM in Performance under the guidance of Ms. Laura Lee Jones, the Associate of Arts in Music Programmes Head of Department Textiles and Fibre Arts.
EMCVPA in the Community The National Business Model Competition Following an internal Business Model competition held on Monday February 26th, 2018, two teams were selected to represent EMCVPA in the National Business Model Competition. Internal winners were Ryan Scott and Sean Tyrell from the School of Visual Arts with their innovative product - ICHECKOUT – an ap designed to; “eliminate long lines, and improve the customer service experience of shoppers by eliminating long checkout lines in major retail chains
Arts for Peace Initiative The School of Visual Arts students lead by lecturer, Stanford Watson in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports engaged in the Zone of Special Operations Mural project in Montego Bay. The initial painting of the mural was successfully done, work will continue on the move as we seek to use the Arts to engage communities.
Actor Boy Awards 2018
First runners up the Arts Management duo of Shelly-Ann Thompson and Melisa Williams with their GOLDEN
The School of Drama received eighteen (18) nominations; Two for “El Numero Uno’ and 6 nominations for “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl”.
From Left: Melisa Williams, Shelly-Ann Thompson, Ryan Scott and Sean Tyrell
Flashback... Graduation 2017 The Vera Moody Concert Hall and the Bert Rose Studio Theatre were at their respective capacities as the latest cohort of young artists/es were ushered out of the Edna Manley College in EMCVPA’s signature Graduation Ceremony 2017 under the theme Chairman of the College Board, Melanie Subratie reminded graduates to “not forget to commit to be a student of life – always learning, always open to new experiences and making a difference in the world through creativity and innovation.” While Principal Dr Nicholeen DeGrasse Johnson charged the ninety-two graduates “to reflect and act on the Graduation theme, Arts: The Remedy for transformational education and embodied knowledge. Continue to build through engagements in various productions, exhibitions, administrative and academic opportunities and collaborations.” We were honoured to have as guest speaker Tashni – Ann Dubroy, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Howard University, Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy, (formerly President of Shaw University). Dr. Dubroy earned her Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from North Carolina State University in 2007, a MBA Business Administration, from Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Left to right: Dr Tashni-Ann Dubroy and EMCVPA Principal, Dr Nicholeen DeGrasse -Johnson
She also served as Special Assistant to the President, Chair of Shaw University’s Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and as an Associate Professor of Chemistry. She was named to the 40 Under 40: Excellence in Leadership list by the Triangle Business Journal. She has received numerous accolades from local philanthropic organizations. Dr. Dubroy began her career as a Re-
search Scientist at BASF, the world’s largest chemical company. She quickly ascended to the position of Global Technology Analyst, and after two years, was appointed to serve Chemical Procurement Manager. Dr Dubroy was dynamic and engaged the audience to rousing applause and standing ovation and topped it off with a gift of US$1,000.00 towards scholarship/ bursaries.
Student performance
Graduating Class of 2017
Graduating Class of 2017
Dr. Coretta Brown-Johnson
Left to right: Vice Principal Denise Salmon with Dr Tashni-Ann Dubroy
Members of the College Board, Academic Staff and Keynote Speaker Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy
OPEN DAY 2018 It doesn’t matter how great your website is and how beautiful your brochure may be, nothing beats an Open Day. It is a day when prospective students really connect with the College and students determine whether the environment suits them or how they fit in. EMCVPA opened its doors to over one thousand students on Thursday March 22 and what an experience it was.
Students from the School of Drama
High School participants from across the island
School of Dance Lunch Hour Performance
High School participants take part in the outside broadcast with Miss Kitty
Left to Right: Akeem Mignott, Ebony Patterson, Neila Ebanks, Carlette DeLeon and Christopher Martin with High School participants after Open Day panel discussion
Member of the EMCVPA Marketing Department speaks with High School participant
Ocho Rios High School participants take part in open day activities
High School participants take part in open day activities
EMCVPA Student with High School participants
Miss Kitty is serenaded by a violinist from the School of Music
School of Music Lunch Hour Concert performance
Christopher Martin speaks at the Open Day Panel discussion about his creative journey. On the panel - Ebony Patterson, Neila Ebanks, Akeem Mignott and Carlette DeLeon
FOUNDERS’ WEEK 2018
Dr. Blackwood Meeks - College Oretor
In her opening address for Research Day one of the events that was used to celebrate our founders, College orator, Dr. Amina Blackwood-Meeks urged us to “consider the differences between arts-based research, research into a particular art form and research which will have an impact on the creation of artistic products and content or the work of individual artists.” She reiterated that “Research in the Arts, is the way of maintaining our authenticity and is at the crux of honouring our founders in the way we construct on their knowledge and experience in the way we undertake our research projects, in the way we understand authentic and transformation.” Founders’ Week 2018 was filled with activities engaging our students and wider community from a church service in Trench Town to the unveiling of a new space “backa drama” to an insightful gender and development lecture.
Members of School of Music Faculty and student body close Gender and Development
Alumni Reception From left: Mrs. Janet Muirhead-Stewart, Dr. Coretta Johnson, Principal Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson
School of Dance Student dances with student of Holy Child Hood High School
Church Service Gender & Development Lecture
School of Music Lunch Hour Concert performance
Dr. Senior hands gift to Alma Mockyen
Marcia Griffith shows how to do electric boogie
On the track @ Sports Day
FEATURED FACULTY: DORRAINE REID IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR The Collegiate: Why this particular script? rhythm of the rhyme and sometimes Dorraine: I love the script. I have never directed before and I really wanted to expand my theatrical competencies as I was already competent in light, sound and performance.
The Collegiate: Why Belly Woman? Dorraine: While completing his first
degree at EDNA, Omaal Wright wrote Belly Woman for Caribbean Culture and Performance taught by Eugene Williams. He later approached the independent actors movement to do a reading of the script and I fell in love with it then. So, when I decided to try my hand at directing, I approached him and asked if he was willing to lengthen the script for this purpose.
Dorraine Reid The Collegiate: When did you decide you wanted to direct?
Dorraine:
A
year
after
I
was
The Collegiate: The rhymes in the play were somewhat of a turn off for some. How did you find working with the
the rhythm does not communicate the intention of the scene and you are forced to go for recitation rather than intention. And so, the major challenge was getting the students to move out of that tradition of rhyming and pay attention to the intention of the lines.
The Collegiate: Speaking of students,
what was it like working with students who already have their plates full?
Dorraine: It is tedious for students at the School of Drama as their work load is heavy and this production is a class for them and so it is a delicate balance ensuring they put in the required time. They are awesome and the quality of work they put out is world class for actors/actresses in training. I believe that outside of being their teacher, having been a part of the industry for some time, I was able to share those experiences with them and make their process easier.
Scene from Belly Woman - Photograph by Robert Ayre employed as a member of the Faculty at School of Drama I asked about the process and was told to simply submit .
script that employed so many rhymes? Dorraine: It was a little of a challenge and I was forced to go with the
The Collegiate: How did you select the characters?
Scene from Belly Woman - Photograph by Robert Ayre Dorraine: We held an audition and the on this some more. I would also utilize the the theatre scene in Jamaica students turned out. Most of the students loved the excerpts chosen and so they were in to it and so what was difficult for me was determining who plays what. But there was more to my decision making as I used their respective histories in other plays, their overall approach to work, performance in exams and general attitude to school.
tree some more as I think I could have used Sacred ritualistic stage, wanted the features of the tree to change as the mood of the people change reflecting ‌ adding to the mystery and mystical feel
The Collegiate: If you had the opportu-
nity to change the length of the run of plays at the School of Drama, would you?
The Collegiate: What was your favourite Dorraine: I would go three weeks for scene
Dorraine: The scene when Mother
Lungie was dying. I love that Oshun song and can’t hear it enough and to top it off, I felt that the choreography was beautiful and I am grateful to Patrick Earle and Janoy Johnson for the roles they played in that coming alive.
The Collegiate: If you were to remount,
what
would
you
improve
Dorraine: One of the things I wanted to
play on was the concept of Belly Woman to be more than just a literal belly to showcase the issue of being pregnant with pain, pain of being female sometimes, a woman carrying the pain of her race etc. If given the chance I would love to build
going public. Production takes money and two weeks does not allow the institution to break even so while I understand it is a class, I believe a longer showcase would serve us better.
The Collegiate: Were there any criticisms of your play that you
Dorraine: It is booming We have several plays a year despite restrictions in space. There is a good mix of new talent with talents that always existing
The Collegiate: Is there any local di-
rector you would like to work with: Eugene Williams and Trevor Nairne. Some would say their directing styles are very complicated, but I like the value this complication adds to their production.
The
Collegiate: What advice would you give to an aspiring actor Dorraine: Take a leap just jump and go for it. Look for work. Ask for advice and find a mentor.
treatment of the would consider?
Dorraine: Not allowing the cast to jump
from the cliff. By not jumping they did not necessarily see the danger. I agree as I wanted more out of the last scene but I felt restricted by the space and the possibility of the students jumping in the dark and affecting the cast. So, I chose safety and may have sacrificed impact.
The Collegiate: How do you feel about
Scene from Belly Woman
THE V INE HIGHLIGHTS THE HELPING HE(ARTS) CLUB
Around the world, volunteers play a very important role as partners and participants in the building of many societies. The Student Services Department supports the development of the whole student and encourage students to get involved with ventures which allow for the development of their technical, social, and academic skills that aren’t learnt in the classroom. The club has been active on campus providing volunteer services at campus events and engaging communities. There first charity is the St. Anthony Children’s Home, located at 8 Dillsbury Avenue in Kingston, founded by Father Paul Walsh, is a home that caters for teenage girls who have been abused. Helping Hearts Club has been working with the St. Anthony Children’s Home, providing support, motivation and sharing the Arts
Helping He(Arts) – “Serving with He(Arts) of Love”.
The Collegiate is a Bi-monthly newsletter published by the Marketing and Communications Department of EMCVPA