February 12th 2011
Introducing Barry George

Barry George has long had a passion for youth development. He strongly believes that “the future of a country is centered on our youth and any idea of national development without the active participation of youth, is not just myth, but should not be entertained. Our dreams, passions and aspirations as young people along with our bubbling enthusiasm have to be regulated, utilized and guided accordingly if we are to make any meaningful contribution as key partners in the forefront of the national agenda”.

In 1995 Barry joined the Saint Lucia National Youth Council (NYC) as the main youth leader representing Castries East. His active involvement in youth clubs led him to serve on the NYC Executive as Assistant Secretary in 1998, 1st Vice President in 2005 and President in 2006 until 2007. In his capacity as NYC President Mr. George dialogued with several agencies on youth and cultural issues including UNSECO, the National Independence Committees, Carnival Committees, National Day Organizing Committees, National Youth Month Committees and the National Crime Commission.

Barry George sees the need to use theatre arts as a medium for expanding educational potential. This interesting strategy has led to awards in Arts and Culture and several nominations as youth of the year. As a cultural activist, teacher and artiste he has been deeply involved with working with schools. Barry George taught Theater Arts at the Girls Vocational School (GVS) during which time his drama class achieved several milestones, representing St.Lucia at the Caribbean Drama School festival and receiving awards on a national level including the prestigious titles of Best Production, Best Director and Best Stage Management for plays written and directed by George such as Reflection in 2006, the Fund Raiser in 2007 (Winner of the drama festival) and Prank in 2008, which received awards in the areas of best sound effects, best costume, best set design, stage management and outstanding individual performances.

Her students definitely intend to take full advantage of their dance training, some of them with whom I conducted a brief interview with, disclosed that they intend to pursue dance and hopefully St.Lucia will be seeing them opening their own dance schools and maybe even starring in dance movies and or other international avenues where they can display their superb talent.

One of the school’s premier students, Leanna had positive reviews about the just concluded dance workshop. She along with some of her colleagues lauded what they described as the unique and outstanding features of this year’s dance workshop. They also liked the fact that male teachers were introduced in this year’s training session to bring as they pointed out, variety and distinctiveness to the pieces. “Dancing is the best thing that happened to me because with dance you have to work hard and push and show that there is effort to make it. It helps you in school because you understand that, the same way you have to work hard through dance you have to do the same at school .It keeps me focused…I started Christy lights through a workshop and it has always been a fun experience. I have been working extremely hard for two weeks; it has sometimes been seven hours of pure stretching and dancing and yet still I am motivated to come back every day. And it is worth it at the end.” The dancers further rebuffed suggestions that the government has a nonchalant attitude towards the arts. They used the several scholarships given by the government to support their argument. Earlier this year the present administration gave over two scholarships to attend the Christylights Lights Dance Academy. An initiative that has provided students with the opportunity to develop talent and personal growth.

Visitors to the island who attended the workshop echoed similar sentiments of general satisfaction with the workshop. One particular guest from the United States pointed out that the training was very professional and stated that she was most impressed with the unique flavour included in some of the dance methods. She further praised the dance academy for encouraging dance among all different sexes, shapes and sizes, something she felt that was particularly important because of the number of stereotypes associated with heavy people and dance.
The Christylights Dance Center was founded in 1997 as a training facility for growth and development in the general field of movement and dance and has pledged to continue to develop and enhance young talent throughout the island.

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