Browne B.E.A. Ming to success
‘I wanted to create an entity that would allow me to pursue the goals I had for myself as an artistic director and for the dancers, who would become my students.’
“MUSIC IS my lungs and dance is my heart; I need them both to live.” Reflecting art in its purest form and illuminating its radiance in the lives of others is the one and only Sodanne Browne.
This performing arts professional never once entertained the thought of another career. Born into music, she discovered dancing to the beat of her own drums. Before she even knew it, teaching and choreographing would graduate to being the order of her day. For Browne, who frequently mimicked her dance teachers at Immaculate Conception High School, this emulation resulted in her genesis of the Immaculate Dance Club in grade 13, paving the way for a flourishing career in choreography and beyond.
Driven by her deep love for the arts and an innate desire to dance, Browne’s progression led her to acquire a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography. Armed with natural talent, knowledge, understanding and qualifications, she marched on to start her own dance company, Browne Entertainment, Arts & Media (B.E.A.M.) in 2014. “I wanted to create an entity that would allow me to pursue the goals I had for myself as an artistic director and for the dancers, who would become my students,” she revealed.
Managing director of B.E.A.M. and the executive artistic director of BEAM Theatre Arts Company, she functions as the primary instructor and choreographer for BEAM Dance Academy. BEAM, described as one of Jamaica’s most dynamic dance companies, is composed of performers who are trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, tap, dancehall and folk dance. Her company hosts annual seasons of dance, performing their hearts out to a sold-out audience. With her expertise expanding to directing, she factors the lack of professionalism as a major challenge within the performing arts industry. Determined to shift the focus, she has levelled up the standard by keeping her team working with the mindset that mediocrity is not acceptable.
Catering to the creative needs of children ages three and above, along with adults, she maintains that this nurturing skill set is very important to her. It gives dancers the opportunity to express themselves in myriad ways
and fosters growth and development in the theory, technique and love for dance.
“Teaching large classes is more exciting for me than smaller classes because of the great energy in any room where people get together to dance. The more, the merrier.”
She remains devoted to the stage just as much as in the studios. She enjoys jazzing it up since it reflects her personality. And for persons who are of the view that those who can’t do, teach? “There are exceptions to every rule,” was her response.
Aside from jetes, chaines, pirouettes and the occasional spirit fingers, Browne enjoys going to the beach, watching movies, hang out with her supportive family and close friends. Her advice to those wanting to pursue their passion for dance, “Get training, discover and develop your unique skill and pursue it with all your might, keeping God at the centre of everything you do.”