Dance Xpressionz - (from back) Orville (left), Stacy (right), Sherene (front left) and Shelly have their minds focused on educating through dancing. - Contributed

Dance Xpressionz's Orville Hall has reiterated his desire to bring Jamaican dance to the fore while speaking at a launch for the group's newest project: a 12-week dance course.

Hall, who lectures at Excelsior Community College (ECC), was quoted in front of media personnel at his launch, held at the Half-Way Tree Entertainment Centre on Wednesday evening, saying that the aim of his dance course was to educate people about the Jamaican culture.

Dance culture

"It's not just teaching people to dance, but we want to educate everybody about our Jamaican dance culture. I am happy, because we are considered as the dance capital of the world," said Hall, who gained an associate degree in performing arts at ECC.

Also present was guest speaker Kenny Salmon, head of the Performing Arts Department ECC, who assured the group of

the school's support towards its project.

Create jobs

"One of the things that the prime minister said was that youths must go out and create jobs and make themselves business executives, managers and that is the example this group has set," said Salmon.

He added: "This group is doing great, and I must say that they have my full support."

The course, which will run for 12 weeks, starts on Monday, March 9 at Lime-lite Club in Half-Way Tree, and everyone is welcome.

Hall promised an 'xtremely, xhilerating and xciting' 12 weeks. Persons will be given lessons on various dances such as traditional folk, Latin, hip hop, and African fusion. There will also be dance lessons on dancehall and creative folk.

Artiste grooming sessions will be available for interested persons. Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.