By Yvonne D. Nelson Kandris Echols has always had a love for performing arts and dance. From Double Tree Elementary to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 60 S. Parkway E., to owning her own studio, Kandris’s family always knew of her desire to be involved in drama and performing arts. “Kandris has performed in dance teams since she was 4-years old,” said Patricia Woodard Wright, Kandris’ aunt, and Rhythm and Grace Rewriter. “We have always supported Kandris dance efforts and we always will.” Echols teaches beginners gymnastics, majorette, hip-hop, liturgical (praise dance) and jazz dance to girls of all ages. Her dance teams have been in many parades and have won many competitions. She recently rented space at the newly renovated Southbrook Town Center and relocated the Rhythm and Grace Dance Studio there where she is the owner and dance choreographer. Echols presented “The Wiz of Christmas Land,” a 10-scene musical dance production Saturday evening December 29th at the Landers Center Theatre in Southaven, MS. The production was Echols way of giving honor to the hard work her dancers have learned and a way to give them the opportunity to share the skills they have acquired from attending her school with their friends and family members. “Our goal is to reach out to help children who are interested in dance The musical dance production featured a liturgical performance by Victoria Ayers (above) and a song by Erica McGowen (below). and performing arts,” said Wright. “We had current elementary and former dance students who returned from their middle and high school dance teams to perform in the play. One thing I love about our performers is that size never matters. We work with everyone who wants to learn to dance.” Rounding out the Rhythm and Grace Dance team are Echols’ first cousins and Music Directors, Darius Woodard and Christopher Woodard; and Devin Hardin who Kandris knows from being a member of Mt. Zion. “We are currently accepting applications for new students,” said Wright. “We do charge students a small amount to help cover overhead, buy uniforms, and costumes, but most of the money we make goes right back into the production.” Parents who are interested in enrolling children for dance and performing arts at Rhythmand Grace are encouraged to drop by between 6 - 8 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays during open hours and can download an application for admission below, stop by the Southbrook Town Mall office, or call (901) 282-9872 or (901) 230-6373 to drop application off or for more information. APPLICATION (Right) Erin Gordon, (from left) Daja Bryant, Marrisa Golden, Karlee Thomas, Kennedi Bond, Jourmenie Rockmore, Kailey Bond, Harmony Jamison, Mallory Harmon, Mackenzie Lyndon, and Reylann Huley were Elves in the play. Photograph by Kandris Echols. 30
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