Serendipity on the Dance Floor
Until Ms. Bristol-Henry unintentionally landed in their neighborhood, the Compton students had no more notion of dancing than they did of flying, and that really is the main — but not the only — storyline for this unusual Spring Concert. They would not be here without her. Without them, she herself probably would be on stage somewhere. Artfully, she has danced across the Continent and across the glitziest stages in the United States. As it happens, the students, some of whom were already — or were considering — meandering off on perilous tangents, lucked into a star-level teacher who never dreamed of putting Compton on her map. Ms. Bristol-Henry, you may safely deduce, is a double-barreled neon attraction quite on her own.
Time for Nature to Dance
Possibly in honor of Ms. Bristol-Henry who was taking a teaching break from instructing several students in a mirrored room, the scene was theatrical on Thursday afternoon was dramatically theatrical. As she stepped outdoors to take her place on a comforting bench, overhead the late afternoon sun and the dappled shadows danced a minuet as she rhythmically unfolded her story. The American-born daughter of clear-thinking parents who emigrated from Guyana to Brooklyn, she is a rare artist. Steeped perhaps equally in academics and performing ability, Ms. Bristol-Henry brings to her previously art-starved students a talent for communing with them intellectually about the art form she is going to teach their feet and the rest of their moving parts.
Taking a Closer Look
Although still young, Ms. Bristol-Henry has led a fascinating life, and she will be profiled during the coming days in thefrontpageonline.com. Six years ago, she moved here from her native New York. Two years later, when her university position, she came to the Compton School District, which meant she had concerns to overcome. Unlike perhaps most other dancers, she speaks in the manner of a university professor, and that helps to make her story even more appealing.
Postscript
Ticket prices for Saturday night’s Spring Dance Concert, at the door, are $25 for adults and $15 for children. In advance, they are $20 and $10. Telephone:310.669.9908. Website:ComptonDance.org.