Javadric Kelly demostrates his strength and agility by holding this horizontal pose for several seconds. Kelly has been involved in dance since the age of three. "Most people think that dancing is not a sport, but it actually it is. When I'm finished dancing, my bones will be sore and I will ice down my body. Dancing keeps me in shape, it keeps me fit," Kelly said.
Javadric Kelly is studying dance at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College. He is actively involved as a member of Montage Theatre of Dance, Phi Theta Kappa and as manager of the Hi-Steppers.
As Kelly works toward his degree, he already has a flourishing professional career as a hip-hop dance choreographer. He is a star in the hit dance television series, "Bring It," which airs on Lifetime.
Kelly demonstrated his talent and agility in the following images with acrobatics and flips.
"Dance is important to me because I can always express myself through movement. When I’m dancing, I feel as if I’m away from all my problems, away from the world. I know everybody goes through a lot of things in life, but dancing keep me focused and on track. It makes me feel some type of way, gives me the feeling that I love to feel all the time. It’s like a drug, and I’m addicted to it. I can’t stop dancing because it’s a part of my life. It’s a part of me and my soul, my mind, my body. I just love it."
Kelly performs a flip at the Courtyard on the Raymond Campus. He has travelled to perform with Montage Theatre of Dance to New York, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee. He got involved with the Lifetime's "Bring It" with friend Timothy Jones. "Ever since I was on the hit TV show "Bring It" it has opened doors for me. People have invited me to teach hip hop workshops at their studios and I get paid for it. If you get paid for choreography you are a professional dancer. This is my passion, I love to do it, I’ll do it for free if I have to. Because I eat and breathe dance. Dance or die, that’s me."
Kelly encourages individuals interested in dance to immerse themselves in the art. "All I have to say to all the people that can’t find the courage to dance but want to dance—just dance, just go to school and take technique classes. Even though I didn’t get started in the studio, I knew what I was missing."
Kelly encouraged fellow students to follow their dreams and follow up with hard work and dedication. "Don’t let nobody tell you what you need to do in life. It’s your life, you live your own life, so if you want to dance, you dance, if you want to be a nurse, be a nurse, if you want to be a police officer, be a police officer, just follow your dreams. I swear to you it will all pay off, you've just got to work hard. Everybody wants to be famous, but they don’t want to put the work in. Work hard and never give up on your dream, because I never did."All photos by April Garon
