Universal Dance Designs Studio Celebrates 25th Year with Arlene Kennedy, Mildred Kennedy Bradic Celebrates 60 Years of Teaching
The celebration "From the Root to the Leaf," held Sunday, Oct 22, 2006 at the Westside Jewish Community Center in L. A., honored Mildred Kennedy Bradic for her 60 years of teaching dance. It also celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Universal Dance Designs Studio of Arlene Kennedy, Mildred's eldest daughter.
The beautiful dance program included a variety of dance numbers from former students and current dancers. Carol Lawrence and Phillip De Marks presided as Mistress/ Master of Ceremonies. Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards, Derick Grant, and Cyd Glover Hill presented special dances. The audience had the pleasure of hearing the great voices of Linda Hopkins and Asia Winston.
Estrellita Bradic concluded the tribute to her mom: "Like a giant tree that dropped its seed, your dancing roots branched out across this nation. Because of one fine lady who had style, creativity, finesse, integrity, and dared to care to treat each leaf as if it was special, a virtuous woman, indeed. If you can walk, you can dance." Arlene Kennedy presented her mom a beautiful plaque. Mildred Bradic acknowledged the presentations from her two daughters and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Arlene Kennedy
"I'm very happy that my students came here to help celebrate the anniversary. They have become masters of their craft. What I really love is that they have not limited themselves. Cyd Glover is not only a wonderful tap dancer but a very talented instructor who owns her own studio."
"Dormeshia is amazing. Paul [Kennedy, Mildred Kennedy Bradic's now-deceased son] gave her an assignment as a student to create a piece to The Typewriter Song that she performed in the show. She also performed a modern piece with some alumni students. She is very versatile. Cyd and Dormeshia also performed Paul's original piece, Fine and Dandy that they danced when they were nine years old."
"Derick's (Grant) feet articulate with such finesse. He opened his own show, Imagine Tap in Chicago...and I expect to see this work on Broadway one day."
"I was overwhelmed when Jason (Samuels Smith) pressed his way to be a part of the anniversary. He arrived at the beginning of the finale from a performance in Canada. He danced in his regular shoes preceding the Shim Sham."
The show would not have been complete without the signature pieces of the Kennedy Tap Company, "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "Traffic Jam." Dancers were Darina Littleton, Josette Wiggans, Heather Marshall, Mia Harris, Cathy Nicholas, Nicole Nicholas, Misawa Fukuchi, Kathy Roasles, Michael Sumarie George, Jakita Robertson, DeAnn Stewart, Monique Stewart, Kristen Baylis, Christine Board, B'Jon Carter Burnell, Kenyon Dixon, Aarvejon Jones, Darveyon Jones, Jack Ironstone, Wesley Barnes, Scott Thomas, Owen Lloyd and Deja Halder.
Mildred Kennedy Bradic
Sixty years ago Mildred Kennedy Bradic opened the Kennedy Dancing School in Boston, Massachusetts because she could not find teachers who would teach her children: Wilbur, Paul and Arlene. She taught them a song and dance act and named them "The Kennedys." (Dianne Walker was one of her students).
Paul Kennedy
One of Paul's jobs for his mom was to lock up the studio when the performing acts visiting in Boston rented their studio for practice. He had the opportunity to see many acts and this influenced his teaching. He learned that he could pick up steps faster than many of the dancers. He took over the school from 1963 to 1969 when his mother moved to Washington with Arlene and added voice and instruction in musical instruments. In 1977 he closed the school and went on the road with Kool and the Gang and choreographed their shows. He came to Los Angeles with Gladys Knight and the Pips and worked with Motown groups: High Energy, The Commodores and the Temptations.
Meanwhile Arlene toured Europe with a dance group and joined the Bob Curtis Dances performing all over Europe. She was the lead dancer with the Ben Johnson Dancers who appeared mostly in Italy. When Arlene became homesick, she returned to New York where she continued to perform and teach. Later she joined her mother in Washington, D. C. and taught at the Academy of Theatrical Arts and at her mother's school. In 1980, when Paul signed a two year contract as Marvin Gaye's choreographer, he sent for Arlene to assist him. One day when Paul drove Arlene to Compton College, they discovered that two instructors were out and they were both needed. They continued to work in city and county facilities and eventually opened their own door, over 25 years ago in L.A., and named it Universal Dance Designs Studio.
"One thing that was consistent through the years is that the school wasn't a money maker, but it was a star maker," said Arlene Kennedy. "I must mention with appreciation the students who have been keeping the Kennedy Tap Company alive from the past with their dedication: Heather Marshall, Mia Harris, Bjon Carter Burnell, Kenyon Dixon, Jack Ironstone, Wesley Barnes, Kathy Rosales, Brittany Dixon and Christopher Broughton Kathy and Nicole Nicholas, Josette Wiggans."
Regina Moore
After her brother Paul's death, Arlene considered closing the school, but her good friend Regina Moore and close friend of Paul, convinced her to continue and now helps with everything. "She is Director of Development and really makes things happen," said Arlene.
Kennedy Tap Company Honors
This year the company made the cut for the Music Center Holiday Celebration for the County of Los Angeles. The program aired December 14th. They performed for the 50th Anniversary of the Thalians with Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee. Arlene Kennedy received the Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award at the Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2005. Now, the Company is working on making a film ... a documentary on the studio and students called "The Wonder Kids." One of the principal dancers, Christopher Broughton, was shot in both of his legs when he was caught in the cross-fire of a gang fight...three bullets in one and one in the other. He is now walking and tapping and is an inspiration to everyone.
Jason's Samuels Smith
"Overall, everyone has been affected by the work of the Kennedy's through their students.
I've been inspired by the teaching and choreography of the Kennedys through their students, like Dormeshia and Derick. Their teaching and impact has trickled down to people like me, and even Savion, who has also worked with them. They have some of the most effective ways of teaching tap. In Chicago, Bril Barrett and Trey Dumas from Madd Rhythms have inspired a group of dances in a similar way and taught them to appreciate the history. The Kennedys promote a strong sense of the past. I enjoy working with Dormeshia and Derick. Now, Arlene has the young generation like Joseph and Josette Wiggan, Christopher Broughton, Chantel Heath; all students of the Kennedys."
Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards
"The Kennedy School was the beginning of dance for me when I was four and I've been with them ever since. Universal Dance Design is the reason I started and continue to tap dance. Mr. [Paul] and Ms. [Arlene] Kennedy have been creating great tap dancers for as long as I can remember. When you walk into the studio, you can tell how serious they are about tap dancing. You will leave with knowledge of vocabulary, musicality, and personality based on tap dancing. It is home for me and I love Mr. and Ms. Kennedy for taking time out to talk to me and for exposing me to so much information. Thank you so much and remember, 'if you can walk, you can dance'."
Derick Grant
"The Kennedys are responsible for generations of tap dancers. It's where I got my inspiration and imagination."
Zelde Malevitz
"I thought the celebration was spectacular. With many alums in attendance, we rejoiced to a timeless retrospective of yesteryear, plenty of today and a glimpse of the future. The camaraderie was heartfelt and the applause jubilant. The dinner was delicious, served by the Kennedy Tap Company. In this age of rootlessness, it was wonderful to celebrate generations of a family devoted to dance, dancers and especially children and youth. Universal Dance Designs and Arlene Kennedy are truly the flagship home of Tap in Los Angeles!"
Chester Whitmore
"It was good to see some of the younger generation tappers. They are coming back to their home. It was a great highlight to see Dormeshia and Derick perform. I was glad to be there to help out. Many dancers do great footwork, but do not reach the audience. Arlene and Paul always kept the razzle-dazzle in their style of tap."
Rusty Frank
"I had the great honor and privilege to be present at an unbelievable gathering in honor of Paul and Arlene Kennedy's mother. I have met this amazing woman on many occasions, sadly most of them in hospital during Paul's passing. There I saw a woman full of heart and passion. At this event I saw two more of Mildred Bradic's legacies. The first was the impact this remarkable woman had on generations of students- for it was a parade of current tap greats on stage bringing to life years of her choreography that was a staple in her outstanding training of these students. The second legacy was the deep affection and respect embraced in the hearts of these students for this phenomenal teacher. Congratulations to this most amazing family-The Kennedys. You are a most phenomenal gift to our dance world."
Jim Taylor
"Congratulations to Arlene Kennedy and her late brother, Paul, on the Silver anniversary of their studio, Universal Dance Designs. Los Angeles tap devotees were treated to an evening of love, excellence and pride. The Kennedys have always delivered quality dancing and whenever they do anything, it is always with great love, joy and class. The audience mingled singing praises of the evening and finally had to be asked to leave-They enjoyed themselves so much that they really didn't want the evening to end. Congratulation to Miss Arlene (Put the curl back in the girl) Kennedy. You are truly amazing, both as a person and a splendid teacher!"
Chloe Arnold
"The legacy of the Kennedy's is like no other, as we confirmed at the celebration. To have the opportunity to work with the Kennedys is truly a blessing. I met extraordinary dancers like Derick Grant, Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards and Charon Aldridge before I knew anything about the Kennedy's. Once I moved to L.A. and learned about their roots, it all came clear. Wow! To be a student of the Kennedys!"
The Universal Dance Designs Studio is unique. In the classes you will see children of the stars and also those on scholarships who have very little and dance makes a huge difference in their lives. Through tap they all come together because of the love and care of the Kennedys. Congratulations to this first family of dance.
Read more of Melba's columns on www.melbasdance.com