DANCE ICONS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BERYL MCBURNIE THE GREAT DAME OF DANCE - LA BELLE ROSETTE Beryl McBurnie was born Nov 2nd 1915. She was a dancer, choreographer and folklorist, who inspired dancers for decades. She developed a great interest in local folk dance, to which she later devoted her life. She pioneered local folk dance at a time when many believed it was sub – standard. She seized every opportunity to lay the foundation for international acceptance of Caribbean Dance as a serious dance form. Having left Trinidad to Study at Colombia University she returned home in 1940 and presented her first show called “TRIP THROUGH THE TROPICS”. She founded the Little Carib Theatre in her backyard in November 1948. They give their first public performances 1962 and it became the mecca for folk art grooming many dancers and singers. In 1957 she was appointed to teach dance at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica. She was also a dance instructor with the Education Department introducing folk dance in schools. Many of these folk dances would have been lost if she had not rescued and brought them into the open. The first appearance of steelpan on stage was at the opening of her theatre. McBurnie has been recognized both internationally and locally for her contributions to dance. She was bestowed the O.B.E – (Order of The British Empire) and honored in 1978 by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company for her contribution in American dance. Locally she was awarded the Humming Bird medal in 1969 and sub subsequently awarded the Trinity Cross in 1989. BERYL MCBURNIE died on March 30th 2000. Please visit: youtube/watch?v=pwG2exjdifI facebook/pages/Beryl-McBurnie/ guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/wednesday-january-4- 2012/mcburnie-lived-dance caribbean-beat/...la-belle-rosette-beryl-mcburnie
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 20:19:48 +0000