Kofi Walker Profile

Kirk Randall 
Castleton Primary School Best Dancer 2023

 My personal journey as a dance teacher has been filled with various experiences and opportunities. After graduating from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance at Leeds University, I had the privilege of working with Ludus Dance Company as a community dance artist. Additionally, I achieved significant milestones in Newbury, United Kingdom, where I established ACE Dance Company as an advanced group to complement the existing West Berkshire Youth Dance Program. Before my involvement, Sue Llewellyn had set up the West Berkshire Youth Dance Program. I also created a junior dance group that provided training for

Sharon Brissett
Dance Host - Dance in the park 23.2

children aged three to twelve (3 - 12) years. These youth groups continue to thrive at the Sports College to this day.

Upon returning to the Caribbean, I ventured to St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles, where I established my dance studio while serving as the Creative Arts Formation Teacher at St. Martin Academy. I also taught at Motiance Dance Studio and founded the Independent Artists Foundation, which engaged

Dance In The Park 23.2
@ Hope Zoo July 27, 2023

local talents in teaching and performing. My passion for community dance development further led me back home to Jamaica, where I have been involved in numerous dance initiatives across the island. I established an "Artists' in Residence - Performing Arts After-School Activities" program for several early childhood institutions. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) recognized my contributions to community dance, appointing me as a dance facilitator and adjudicator for workshops over several years, until the pandemic hit. Moreover, I've had the privilege of working as a lecturer at the Edna Manley College, the Excelsior Community College, and the Women's Centre of Jamaica, where I engaged pregnant teens in dance, sign language, and speech and drama.

My motivation to study Early Childhood Development emerged during the pandemic when I completed the NCTVET (National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Early Childhood Development Program Levels 2 and 3. This has provided me with increased knowledge and confidence to work in Early Childhood programs, enhancing my interactions with children and their parents beyond the scope of dance.

Despite achieving both small and significant triumphs throughout my dance career, my ultimate desire is to acquire a Master's in Dance Education or Movement Therapy. While I hold a BA in Dance from NSCD (Northern School of Contemporary Dance) in Leed U.K., my time at the University of St. Martin was brief, during which I managed to achieve six (6) credits in Foundations in Education and Curriculum Development. This experience inspired me to develop my first Theatre Arts Syllabus for the Creative Arts Formation subjects at St. Martin Academy.

Looking to the future, my ambitions in teaching dance revolve around inspiring more young people to embrace dance and culture as educators and advocates. Through my initiatives, I have witnessed the positive impact that dance can have on individuals, institutions, and communities, fostering connections between trained and untrained artists. My goal is to remain a conduit for people to experience happiness through the art of dance.

As we emerge from the pandemic, I aim to enhance my employment potential. As a Jamaican male dancer and dance educator, I understand the increasing competitiveness in the field, where institutions may sometimes prioritize skill over certification. I find assurance in being certified and qualified to deliver my work with utmost efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, I believe there is still untapped potential within me that I am eager to explore and maximize in the world of dance.