Dance as a ministry in Church circles is often a debated topic and some may not see the relevance/a place for dancing in Church and for Christians as a whole. Dancing in itself is a panacea for many, an expressive art which speaks more than words can express and has been proven to lift spirits and transform lives. There are many references in the bible about dancing as an act of worship, celebration to edify, encourage and uplift one another, hence, the mandate of Praise Academy of Dance, founded in 1993 by C. Pat Noble; they been making an indelible mark in the area of dance in Jamaica for over 18 years. Though the academy commenced primarily as a dance school, but has been evolving into a performing arts company. Two Praise affiliates have been established in the Caribbean – Barbados and Trinidad. They are members of the Christian Dance Fellowship International and have performed in the Caribbean, North and South America, Africa, England and Australia.

The Academy caters to students ages four years to adulthood. They offer training in ballet, modern/contemporary, folk, hip-hop, jazz and reggae genres.

Since 1997, The Academy has awarded scholarships to children of inner city communities and can report on the transformative effect of their programmes.  Many of the students have continued the legacy in dance by furthering their studies at the Edna Manley Dance School and further afield, becoming qualified dance tutors/practitioners.

The Academy not only stresses technique but the use of the dance talent to convey the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Consequently, the institution has created among its offerings a ministry team comprising teen and adult students. The team travels locally and internationally and interfaces with the National Council of Education parenting Seminar among others. They have accumulated over 30 gold medals and 30 national trophies. In 2003, Praise Academy captured the coveted Rex Nettleford Trophy
for Excellence.

Praise Academy is cognisant of dance being the heart of culture and its impact locally and globally, and have been using the discipline of dance to help transform lives, especially of young people, and seek to do more on a larger scale by collaborating with boys/girls’ homes and other institutions to offer dance education and workshops.  They continue to eagerly pursue avenues and initiatives to use the art form of dance as a medium to positively transform and touch lives.

C. Pat Noble – the Founder of Praise Academy of Dance, Jamaica, Barbados & Trinidad, is the Artistic Director of Praise Academy of Dance, Jamaica and is a Trained Graduate Teacher of Shortwood Teachers’ College and the Edna Manley School of the Visual & Performing Arts.

Pat is a much sought after trainer and has conducted seminars/workshops in the Caribbean, North & South America, Europe, Africa and Australia. She has choreographed well over 400
dance pieces.

A few of her awards include, Most Outstanding award for Dance Drama, Most Outstanding Choreographer, among others which include the prestigious Musgrave Award (2011).

Praise Academy and C. Pat Noble will be in the Cayman Islands March 1-3 for a dance Workshop and Recital – Lord of the Dance; for further information, please email [email protected] or call 927-4878.