She Magazine APRIL 2016 | Page 38

She Inspires in every issue LEYA’S SOLE PURPOSE THROUGH PDCAT is to make a difference in the community through dance and fine arts. “It is our desire to uplift, encourage, empower, and inspire those passionate about the arts and provide high quality classes and training in a safe environment. We are assisting them in expanding their knowledge, understanding the importance of touching other’s lives and helping others, [working as a team], [solving problems positively], and giving valuable insight for career paths in the performing arts.” More than anything, Leya word, which is written by our poetry team and shared by our poets. We have also begun to add our music ensemble and an instrumental piece from our musicians. We aren’t pushing the limits of the box; we are breaking it!” As Creative Director, Leya is overwhelmed with excitement as she prepares the dancers for the performances each year. She is rewarded not just by their talent, but by the blessings she receives as well. “My greatest joy is knowing how many people will be touched. We have a piece dedicated to veter- hopes to provide the youth with a place where they can feel ans, a dance that speaks to sexual assault survivors, the hurts encouraged and accomplished. “Almost all of our current of depression, cancer survivors and caregivers, brotherhood, members have not had any or many arts classes, yet they Autism Speaks and a special Motown review.” Leya believes have been able to have incredible performances being on our many will relate to the range of emotions portrayed. team, and that makes me so very proud of them. I also hope to Though she’s been doing this since 2005, each perfor- provide a safe place for those who need refuge and a healing mance is still just as emotional as the first for Leya. Her con- atmosphere for those who have been broken and nection with the performers runs deep. She explains, “Most unfortunately abandoned. I want to provide a great launch of the team calls me Mom, and that’s how I feel, especially and resumé for those who desire to work professionally in knowing how many of them have had to work through various life the performing arts and offer resources and connections that obstacles and issues to get there.” they can use to push them forward, [being] there for them to always return to when needed.” This hard-working team has had some rather cool rewards, as they’ve choreographed and performed live with gospel Leya and PDCAT have completed several dance productions artists Carlett Martin, James Paterson, Jerusalemm, and Hope over the years, which have been nothing short of phenome- McCants. They were also featured dancers in Devine Records nal. “Throughout our year, we do our Black History show, our Management’s anniversary event last year. Easter production, and our Holiday Spectacular. However, PDCAT currently has twenty-five active members from twelve I believe it’s our annual Dance Musical Production, RESTORED, different churches across Florence, Darlington, Beaufort, which has drawn our largest following and highest praise. and Sumter. While each child is different, they have learned This two-hour show showcases our team at our best. In to work together in a remarkable way. “I recently was in a essence, it’s our grand recital. We bring out our new costumes, rehearsal and saw one of our new members really struggling our best songs and performances. The last two years, they with choreography. I witnessed three of my older dancers give held the stage performing thirty songs! Most of our team is in her tips and then encourage her when she got it. It wasn’t like every performance, so they are all doing quick changes and that in the beginning. But, they all have a “We Win” attitude, every genre of dance. They work very hard, and it shows!” However, RESTORED is more than just dancing. “It’s a story of restoration set to a theme. Our first year’s theme was healing and restoration. Last year was about life, and this year will be about family and all that families endure and experience. It will also include a special dance tribute to the late Natalie Cole and Gospel legend Daryl Coley…What makes our show special is [that] the narration is told through spoken Story by Ashley Elvington • Laura McBryde Photography 38 36 APRIL 2016 2016 even with the little ones, and I love seeing that. There are different groups inside our team: our kids’ team, ballet team, hiphop team, contemporary team, and adult team. They function as one, and they work together.” They not only combine their talents but also their desire to share God’s Word, which has proven to be effective through the arts. “I often think the arts have an advantage that [nothing] else has. er can’t do. We can get people’s attention with the visual. We capture them with the music and the colorful costumes. We have them in the moment and before they know it, we have their hearts with the message. They don’t have a wall up with the arts. It’s a comfortable and welcome medium to allow [the sharing of] our message.” Leya is committed to being authentic in her words and actions, setting a great example for the team members. “I am very transparent and open with what I have experienced, what I have learned, and what I know. I share from my life, and I am honest with who I am and what I believe. I don’t pretend to be perfect, just me. I believe they appreciate that about me.” It is her prayer, more than anything, that team members receive the courage and inspiration to be themselves and live their dreams. “I hope that my life and all that I have presented [to] them and allowed them to experience has [shown] them that it is possible, and it is the key to living their best life.” They, too, have impacted her life. “They have inspired me to be the best I can be. To keep living, dreaming, working, and being unapologetically me. I think so far out of the box and love being so creative, even with my purple hair, and they love and accept me as I am and would have me no other way. That inspires me to keep going!” At the end of the day, Leya prays simply to have left behind a legacy. “I believe that all I do should be valued and remembered [because of] who I am and not what I have done. I strive to make my impact on my world and leave my mark. It’s not about my accomplishments and what I can do, but what I have felt about what I have done and what has motivated and driven me to do it. It’s all about living my life from the inside out.” Leya Elijah-Eller resides in Florence, South Carolina, with her husband Dennis and three children: Me’Ara Malone, Dwight Malone, and Nathaniel Malone. She is the CEO of her business, BOLD Productions, and she is also a special event producer. To learn more about the Pee Dee Community Arts Team, visit peedeecommunityartsteam.weebly.com. This month, PDCAT will perform at the Street Eats Community Food and Fun Fair in Florence on the 16th to benefit autism awareness. Auditions to join the team will be held on the 23rd at the Florence County Library. I think we can do what the preacher and even the sing- SHEMAGAZINE.COM