Best Arts Studio, a dance studio situated on the East Coast Demerara celebrates its first anniversary tomorrow. Since February 6, 2021, the studio has been a haven for dancers both young and old, who have been expressing themselves through modern and contemporary dance.
The studio was launched on November 28, 2020 but did not open to the public until February 6, 2021, which is why the latter date has been selected as the anniversary. At present, the group has 17 ‘little dancers’ aged three to 14 years old and seven adults.
Founder and director of the studio Keneisa Best shared that in the past year the members and management of the group have been engaging in a number of activities outside of dance. Keneisa noted that these activities are coordinated by her team, particularly choreographers Dominic Alleyne and Dacia Martin.
“Being a new dance studio, I feel we have already accomplished our main goal which was to bring dance to the children on the East Coast [Demerara] who only got the opportunity to dance when it was Mash or other similar events; now they can dance more and [improve] on this…,” Keneisa said.
Their parents, she said, are elated to know that their “little girls” don’t have to go all the way to Georgetown for dance classes.
Within the last year, members of Best Arts Studio have done two pre-recorded shoots, one for Mashramani and the other for Easter celebrations. They organised and put on an Independence Day show dubbed ‘Guyana the Free’ at Movietowne. The group also participated in the Buxton Emancipation Event and an International Women’s Day event last year. Their most proud accomplishment was hosting a fundraiser event called ‘Sweat Pink’ where $50,000 of their proceeds went to GTT’s Pinktober Fund.
Best Arts Studio also helped to coordinate a fitness and health fair where persons from the blood bank and the army provided their services. The public was entertained by the dance group.
According to Keneisa, they also performed an entire show for an orphanage and were delighted to have brought joy to children who are less fortunate.
None of their efforts have gone unnoticed as the group was awarded for their art and discipline by the United Bridge Builders Mission (UBBM) Inc last year. The dance group had earlier connected with the organisation at a youth expo that was put on by UBBM.
Best Arts Studio brought cheer to a Berbice centenarian just last week expressing love through dance for her.
“Best Arts Studio is grateful to be celebrating one year… We feel that this year is our year to expand….[and] take on more children, and hope to do more community work…. We look forward to doing more as we showcase our talent, as we showcase the talents of the younger generation,” Keneisa said.
Though no huge plans have been made, the group will meet for brunch and a photoshoot in celebration of the anniversary.
The dance group is also available to perform at birthday parties and other events.
Best along with Martin and Alleyne are qualified dancers who have completed certificates in dance at the Creative Arts Institute. Martin and Alleyne also went on to complete their diplomas in dance at the same institute.
To book the group for events or to find out more information in signing up for dance classes, Best can be reached via Facebook at Best Arts Studio or 691-3752.
