Kumar Joins Professional Dancers at NY Broadway Dance
Evangeline Kumar, 24, is looking forward to improving her contemporary dancing skills at the New York Broadway Dance Centre Summer Training Programme in the U.S. next month.
She is a member of the renowned Nadi-based VOU Dance Company.
Originally from Naitisiri, Miss Kumar envisions bringing her newfound knowledge and skills back to Fiji as well as enriching her role as a choreographer.
“I feel excited, yet nervous to be considered for this programme alongside many professional dancers from around the world,” Ms Kumar said. Her professional dancing career started in 2016.
The former Sacred Heart College, Suva student expressed her gratitude and excitement to be dancing alongside professionals and learning from internationally recognised choreographers from July 2 – 17 for the Summer Training Programme.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to learn from an international choreographer,” Ms Kumar said. Under the tutelage of Maleek Washington, a native New Yorker from the Bronx and a distinguished performer and choreographer, Miss Kumar is expected to broaden her understanding of contemporary dance and deepen her appreciation for this exquisite art form.
With remarkable talent and commitment, she has led numerous leadership roles in VOU’s premiere productions, including the captivating character ‘Lagi’ in the internationally acclaimed stage show ‘Fiji Untold’ told through song and dance, which was shown in Europe and the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K.
She was awarded this professional development opportunity as part of VOU’s five-year loyalty award in 2021.
Miss Kumar encourages young people with a passion for dance to pursue their dreams, emphasising that a career in Fiji’s cultural and creative industries as a dancer is attainable.
“Evangeline’s professional development opportunity in New York would not have been possible without the support from the EU-SPC grant,” a VOU statement said.