Monday, April 4, 2011

2011's Leon Argamailla Bacardi Award of Excellence Winner: Jendayi Dyer


Jendayi Dyer is a member of Jade’s Hip Hop Academy’s competitive team as well as their Performance Company. Jendayi is a remarkable award-winning dancer and gifted performer. She has shown outstanding dedication to her craft and her hard work has led to the perfection of her techniques, skills and showmanship.


At just 15 years old, her ability to captivate and move an audience is extraordinary. If there is one number that people will remember from any performance or competition, it will be Jendayi’s. She began her training at the age of 11. By the time she was 12, a solo artist had been born. Her first solo achieved great success in the competition circuit. At 13 years of age, she was given a challenge to embody various musical instruments throughout a new solo titled Musician.


Jendayi’s ability to grasp the depth of her character won her numerous awards, including all first place standings and many “overalls”. An “overall” award is the highest scoring routine out of all solos in any genre in any particular age category. This is not an easy feat and typically hip hop solos do not win against ballet, jazz, tap or lyrical, yet Jendayi has achieved winning “overalls” many times.


Jendayi is a role model at the Academy where she spends on average four to five days per week. Many of the dancers older and younger look up to her and admire her for her abilities and commitment. She also spends time volunteering as a Teacher assistant and student teacher in their pre-competitive and recreational classes. She plays a critical leadership role instructing the dancers and her Artistic Director is teaching her to choreograph as well.


What is additionally remarkable is that not only is Jendayi a talented and successful dancer she suffers from severe Asthma. This does not stop her from giving every practice and every performance 110%. Jendayi has proven she has a fighting spirit and that she will forever continue to pursue excellence. With her proven talent, volunteerism and her ability to overcome adversity, Jendayi Dyer is a perfect recipient of the Leon Argamasilla Bacardi Award of Excellence.

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