About Dean Maitland
At the tender age of twelve, my now departed loving mother, Mary Rullow took me to a dance recital at the Regal cinema in Grenada, performed by the Amberkayla Dance Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
Even at that young age, I was mesmerized by the spectacular performances and beautiful costumes displayed by that fabulous dance company. That experience inspired me to join the popular Tamarind Dance Company of Grenada led by artistic director Pamela Marcel.
I later attended workshops in Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica, West Indies and for one year, I also studied Modern Dance at the Pavlychenko Dance School in Toronto, Canada. It was a very rewarding experience because I was able to gain international exposure as a professional dancer.
In Canada, I also performed with the Chissamba Chiyuka Dance Company of Toronto. After migrating to the United States in 1991, my passion for dance led me to immediately enroll at the Joffrey Ballet School where I studied classical ballet from 1991 – 1995. Subsequently, I pursued a BFA degree in Dance and choreography at the Long Island University Brooklyn campus, New York.
Those many career achievements and experiences motivated me to establish my very own Dance Company; Art in Motion in 1996 focusing on Afro-Caribbean, Modern and Ballet dance practices. In 2009 and 2010 I was the recipient of two consecutive grants from the Brooklyn Arts Counsel for teaching Grenadian Cultural Folk dances for the Brooklyn and surrounding communities.
The only stipulation was a final presentation showcasing what was taught throughout the workshop. The challenge presented was acquiring additional funds for the many costumes required for the presentation at the end of the workshop. I was suddenly in a state of panic pondering as to how I was going to obtain the additional funds.
That moment took me back to the days of sewing with my beloved departed mother, which I dreaded at the time. In retrospect, I recalled seeing my mother designing and sewing beautiful costumes and clothing especially during the annual carnival celebrations and other cultural events.
Therefore, I said to myself, “Dean, start working on the numerous costumes and see where it would take you.” Fortunately, with the help of some of the participants I was able to successfully design and sew all the costumes required for the presentation.
That project / experience suddenly made me realize that sewing was an inner and unforeseen hidden passion that evolved out of necessity. Since then I have been actively engaged in designing and sewing costumes for my dance company Art in Motion, sewing hand bags and other accessories. Thus from one passion came another. I am equally committed to both as I continue my journey towards professional excellence.
Even at that young age, I was mesmerized by the spectacular performances and beautiful costumes displayed by that fabulous dance company. That experience inspired me to join the popular Tamarind Dance Company of Grenada led by artistic director Pamela Marcel.
I later attended workshops in Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica, West Indies and for one year, I also studied Modern Dance at the Pavlychenko Dance School in Toronto, Canada. It was a very rewarding experience because I was able to gain international exposure as a professional dancer.
In Canada, I also performed with the Chissamba Chiyuka Dance Company of Toronto. After migrating to the United States in 1991, my passion for dance led me to immediately enroll at the Joffrey Ballet School where I studied classical ballet from 1991 – 1995. Subsequently, I pursued a BFA degree in Dance and choreography at the Long Island University Brooklyn campus, New York.
Those many career achievements and experiences motivated me to establish my very own Dance Company; Art in Motion in 1996 focusing on Afro-Caribbean, Modern and Ballet dance practices. In 2009 and 2010 I was the recipient of two consecutive grants from the Brooklyn Arts Counsel for teaching Grenadian Cultural Folk dances for the Brooklyn and surrounding communities.
The only stipulation was a final presentation showcasing what was taught throughout the workshop. The challenge presented was acquiring additional funds for the many costumes required for the presentation at the end of the workshop. I was suddenly in a state of panic pondering as to how I was going to obtain the additional funds.
That moment took me back to the days of sewing with my beloved departed mother, which I dreaded at the time. In retrospect, I recalled seeing my mother designing and sewing beautiful costumes and clothing especially during the annual carnival celebrations and other cultural events.
Therefore, I said to myself, “Dean, start working on the numerous costumes and see where it would take you.” Fortunately, with the help of some of the participants I was able to successfully design and sew all the costumes required for the presentation.
That project / experience suddenly made me realize that sewing was an inner and unforeseen hidden passion that evolved out of necessity. Since then I have been actively engaged in designing and sewing costumes for my dance company Art in Motion, sewing hand bags and other accessories. Thus from one passion came another. I am equally committed to both as I continue my journey towards professional excellence.