The natural athleticism Gabriella John possesses, aligns incredibly well with her endearing, physical qualities. The charm of her igniting green eyes and the ease of her ‘you gotta let it go’ personality, make her the quintessential island girl. She is conspicuously confident but under no circumstances, should one confuse Gabriella’s surety in the creative expression of her sensuality, as something that overshadows her glowing aura.
There will always be a place for the conservative values and ideals that the generations before us upheld in our Caribbean society. Even in acknowledging that, we have a responsibility as a region, to embrace new contexts in which to appreciate traditional forms of expression. On the beautiful southern shores of Antigua & Barbuda, Harbour Town is buzzing with excitement, as Gabriella John initiates her ‘Dance Class For Adults’ series this summer. “Typically my dance classes involve sensual movement that is sexy and engaging but for this upcoming one, it’s more like an Afrobeat introductory class.”
The name ‘Dance Class For Adults’ intimates, that there is a noticeable level of sensuality attached to the concept. The time has come as a region, where we have to stop teaching Caribbean women that suppressing their sensuality is healthy. We have to encourage them, to embrace their sensuality as a useful facet of femininity but never as the core facet of womanhood. “It’s important to change our mindset on how we view sexuality. It’s not something that we should be ashamed of or suppress but something to be expressed and celebrated.”
Throughout her experiences taking lessons at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York, she cultivated an undying sense of liberality and when fierce Caribbean women like Gabriella John, apply meaningful nuances of sensuality to her dance exploits it resonates for a reason. Therefore it’s no surprise that ‘Dance Class For Adults’ was sold out in Antigua & Barbuda just a few days after registration was opened.
Gabriella’s ability to move her body with fluidity and dynamism stems from her athletic prowess. She represented Antigua & Barbuda at the Summer Youth Olympics in 2014 as a swimmer and she was a national record holder in the 50m, 100m and 200m in the breaststroke event. Since graduating with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies, Gabriella’s entrepreneurial spirit lives is rooted in the launch of her dance class and start-up companies. In addition to preparing to launch her new dance classes, she is getting ready to launch her new holistic living brand and suffice to say Gabriella John is passionately invested in the liberation and wellness of other Caribbean women.
