Artist Profile: Jamie Trial

Sharing a Passion for Dance

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Lacking natural flexibility, extension, and range of motion, Jamie Trial didnt see herself as a dancer. In fact, she says she hated ballet as a child. Only after she switched dance studios when she was 13 did she discover that dance is her passion.

Suddenly, at the new studio with teachers who encouraged me, I wanted to dance every day, Trial remembered. I dove in, and there was no going back!

Discovering that passion motivated her to earn a bachelors degree in dance with a concentration in ballet at Kennesaw State University, followed by becoming the co-owner of a Canton dance production company and adjunct professor of dance at Reinhardt University, where she teaches dance technique classes and choreographs the universitys musicals.

While Trial loves performing, she knew early on that she wanted to choreograph.

Its fun for me. I think in choreography. I hear music, and I picture bodies moving. I think God wanted me to be a choreographer, she said.

Starting in high school, Trial has choreographed all varieties of dance from the Nutcracker Suite ballet, to popular musicals including Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, The Sound of Music, and most recently Reinhardts production of the classic, Cabaret.

As a teacher, Trial emulates her past instructors, whom she credits with being demanding but encouraging. Remembering that ballet was initially difficult for her, she empathizes with students who are facing challenges.

Dance can be highly critical. Youre always looking at yourself in the mirror and critiquing, she said. I try to keep that in mind with my students. They have to believe in their progress, to know that they might not see the end result that day, but they will (eventually).

This year, a longtime dream of Trials will become a reality, as her production companys DanceFest is launching DanceFest Reach, a program that will award dance scholarships to children and teens who are in the Georgia foster care program.

Last year, DanceFest sponsored one teen for a full year of dance instruction. With proceeds from a fall benefit gala, Trial hopes to offer dance to dozens of students.

I have a heart for kids in need, Trial said. Several years ago, I worked with kids in group homes, and I got this idea. They dont have the opportunity for activities; I started going and teaching them dance. Through DanceFest Reach, we will be able to take dance to the kids.

While Trial has performed professionally, she says that being a wife, mother, teacher, and business owner keep her too busy and too fulfilled to seek professional performance opportunities.

I love what  I do. I have a passion for dance and a belief in the goodness of art.

DanceFestInc.com