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Tivoli High DanceTroupe on new high in dance

Jennifer Morgan-Garwood, dance teacher and choreographer of the Tivoli Gardens High School and her students are never satisfied with mediocrity and show signs of possessing rare gifts, which could be described as "restless creativity".

Mrs. Morgan-Garwood's choreographic skills are exceptional. Over the years they have developed consciously, the ability to adapt to situations, having a capacity for intensity and a sense of interpretation.

For over 20 years as a classroom teacher, through her participation in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Festival of the Performing Arts, she has been a force to reckon with in the dance category.

This year in particular, the troupe went on a medal-winning rampage and finished with a haul of 14 gold medals.

Showtime sought comments from Mrs. Morgan-Garwood and her troupe to ascertain the secret behind the troupe's obvious successes.

Hard work

"We work very hard. We rehearse from Monday to Friday from 3 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 am to 7 p.m. These rehearsals are quite long - a lot of hard work. It involves long periods of exercise and great attention paid to details", said Zara Fowler, member of the troupe.

"We participate in warm-up exercises in order to get the body warm. And we rehearse according to age group - juniors, intermediates, seniors and adults", Kimara Thomas told Showtime.

The troupe is also conscious about having good health so as to become successful dancers and maintain a health lifestyle and diet.

"We all eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, chicken meat and loads of fruit juices", chorused the girls.

The school nurse, Rosemarie Barrett, assists those who report ill and keeps a general check on their health.

The exquisite dance designs which go to enhance the dance creations are conceptualised by Mrs. Morgan-Garwood and executed by Arlene Richards, choreographer and principal dancer with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.

A very important aspect of the troupe's operation is that they work as a team. Dance critiques are done by members of staff, dancers and teacher.

Showtime observed that the numerous costumes being worn by the troupe looked expensive and asked how these are obtained and was told by the troupe, "Money for purchasing costumes are obtained through fund-raising events and from contributions".

The 60-member dance troupe,

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