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
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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-
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