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claydanceco · 5 years

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Dance was something I always wanted to do. I was introduced to it while in primary and high school. So on leaving high school and while at University, I joined the Watoto church choir as my ministry and often looked on with envy at the select few who got to dance for God. A desire burnt in my heart to express my worship to God in form of dance. I waited patiently hoping that one day such opportunity would present itself.

There were various church dance groups at the time but I was not drawn to them for whatever reason; I guess I just didn’t belong there. My first opportunity came with the 2008 Watoto Conference; my sister Karen H. Kimuli who was in choir told me of an opportunity she had heard of to dance at the conference. Needless to say, I was overjoyed at the opportunity and took it without looking back, so much that at the first practice I showed up in my work clothes, a pink shirt and black almost A-line skirt not knowing that one needed dance clothes. More interesting was the fact that I did not have any dance clothes in my wardrobe. Of course this did not deter me. While experiencing this opportunity, I met with Merian Mwase who desired perfection and pushed us to the very end in order to deliver excellence as one of our church core values.

At the conference, the less than 10 minutes of performance were worth every minute spent in rigorous practice for the past two weeks. I blossomed the entire time; I can still remember the movements of the larakaraka piece. The ladies who did Bakisimba dance were Karen H. Kimuli, Norah and Hellen (a lady who passed on a few years ago) and we who did Larakaraka were Gyda Oyenbot, Cissy and myself. We were honoured to be part of this.

After the conference, I was basically elated hungrily looking for the next opportunity to dance which was not so forthcoming until there was an announcement to join an upcoming dance ministry under Watoto Worship. the ministry is what later became CLAY Dance Company, or CLAY as many have come to know it over the years. As it was announced on the Church news, I could feel my whole body and spirit move in excitement at the long awaited opportunity to finally dance; just the thought of it now brings back very fond memories. I told all that I could master the courage to tell that I would be going for the auditions.

Audition day came and by then I had acquired a few clothes that could pass for dance clothes. I walked into the audition knowing that my most known or comfortable genre was traditional dance so I was not sure what to expect. We started with a contemporary piece to the Barlow girl song One more round which all of us were to learn as taught by Andre one of our international friends who we have met along the way; and thereafter each of us would do a solo in the genre of our comfort. I can assure you I didn’t clearly see how to do the traditional so I opted for salsa and some contemporary movement I think. Our judges for this audition were Andre, Merian Mwase and Catherine Nakawesa. I got a call back thereafter and most of it is history by now.

After some time, a showcase was organized and we really gave it our all in preparation. The other dancers who got a call back as far as I can recall were; Cmo Atuha, Aziza Shirazi, Florence Ndagire Senyonjo, Linda Mpanga, Louis Snappy, Nicholas, Barbara Nayiga, Arthur Mwanje, Joanne Buganda, Jasmine Namjua, Ernest Wolf, Jacque Tumusiime and others I may not readily recall. Some few joined us thereafter as time went on. We staged the showcase under the direction of Merian Mwase, Catherine Nakawesa, Andre, and some other external instructors from Break Dance Project Uganda and traditional dancers such as Sylvia. We also had input from teachers like Nancy Kacungira, Samuel Lutaaya and Jessica among others. The input was great and we were learning what it meant to dance, choreograph and go beyond bounds to learn dance besides what we knew and were comfortable with.

The showcase happened. What was appalling was the impact on watching our video of the showcase. Most of our jaws dropped because the energy we felt we were exuding was almost 80% less on the video recorded. We felt disappointed and the energy we had come with to watch the video dwindled by the minute. Catherine and Merian, our pioneers, had to give us a pep talk so that we could be encouraged to continue pursuing our dream of dance and ministry. I can’t help but laugh looking back at that moment at church, when we were so miserable thinking we had disappointed our enthusiasts including my Aunt Apophia, my sister Karen and my brother Edgar who had shown up among others and packed Watoto Church Downtown auditorium. One of the first lessons we learnt was that what you deliver on stage has to be about 200% of what you think you are actually delivering and that the level of energy you deliver in practice is what will flow through on show day

Watoto Conference 2010 found us already charged and was yet another opportunity to perform and tell the Watoto Children’s story alongside them in dance and drama. It didn’t leave us the same. Through the same interaction with CLAY Dance Company, an opportunity presented itself to go to Ecole des Sables in Senegal. I was blessed to share this with Catherine Nakawesa and I was glad to have her on board because I am not the adventurous kind but walking this journey beside her away from home always felt like home. I learnt and grew a lot. The Artistic Director Patrick Acogny once told us that we will not be the same once we came back to our countries. That after 2 months away, the growth would be evident. I could write a book on the whole experience; it was nothing short of amazing.

Through the years, CLAY Dance Company has interacted with teachers from all walks of life, different countries and genres. God has gifted us that way. When we started out as CLAY Dance Company, what we see now and the hundreds of dancers that we have interacted with leaves us awe struck at what God has done amongst us. As CLAY Dance Company started to grow, various disciplines were groomed amongst us including; whoever arrived first for practice had to make sure the dance space was mopped and clean, not wearing any form of jewellery during practice to prevent accidents, hugging and greeting everyone and inquiring as to their welfare before practice started, not talking or having non dance discussions during practice, Paying attention to whoever is in charge of the class session, practice being closed and fun clubs not being entertained during practice, everyone should be in position to learn whatever is taught for the day and so much more.

L-R Edna, Jessica, joanne et al at the Watoto Church Cantata 2010 Photo by Ismail Kezaala, Daily Monitor

In the growth of the Company, many more practices have been incorporated and embraced such as intentionally reading the word, reaching out to the community of other dancers and so much more. Our leaders have also taken gifting to another level. They have purposed every year end in the Christmas season as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ to give Christmas cards and gifts to the members who have been part of the journey throughout the year including the teachers, dancers and visitors, which is heartwarming. How can I conclude without making mention of the culture of photography. We love to take photographs in and out of season. We are always ready for a photo and I am sure our archives will speak for themselves.

Some of the giftings over the years!

CLAY Dance Company has not been a place void of struggles, tears and disgruntlement. These have been present in every phase but these have made us stronger in character, personality and resilience. It is never easy when you have multitudes of talent in one space and a few less opportunities like a small stage and limited time; CLAY Dance has managed and still tries to work through these phases while still growing and grooming the next generation of dancers. I have written a lot and feel like there is so much more I could put to paper. Maybe one day I will write a book on my life in CLAY Dance Company. So as a CLAY Ancestor (proudly so) I am grateful and honoured to have this family which I saw as a baby and now see as a ten year old. It is amazing, awesome, loved and so much more in one bundle of joy.

All in all, CLAY Dance Company was and still is a dream come true for me. It was a breath of fresh air at the time I needed it and it continues in this stance. I thank God. The very essence of the life of a dancer in our dance; CLAY Dance Company. Discover. Develop. Belong.

Humans of Clay | Meet Edna Winifred Dance was something I always wanted to do. I was introduced to it while in primary and high school.

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