My JCDC Performing Arts Journey – A Celebration of Jamaican Culture, Talent and Family

Real stories from our Culture Corner Live Forum, powered by community, confidence and creativity.

🎥 Watch the Replay:

Keeping Jamaican Culture Alive Through the Arts

In celebration of Child's Month, the Serenity Resource Connector (SRC), in proud partnership with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), brought together inspiring voices for our Culture Corner Live Forum.

The discussion centred on how JCDC performing arts competitions are shaping children, strengthening families and preserving Jamaican culture. The session featured educator and Miss Hanover Festival Queen 2024, Sornia Samuels, alongside Vania Richards-Leach and her spirited five-year-old daughter, Savannah Leach.

Their JCDC Performing Arts journeys are a reflection of how the performing arts can transform confidence, unite communities and spark generational pride.

Sornia’s Story: Confidence, Culture and the Classroom

Sornia shared how participating in JCDC competitions as a student helped her conquer shyness and grow into a confident leader.

As an educator at Green Island High School, she now mentors students entering music, drama and folk forms.
Her team pushes through long-distance travel and limited funding to compete at national level — driven by passion and school spirit.
Her platform as Festival Queen focuses on body positivity, reminding others that representation on stage matters.

“It’s not just about performance — it’s about purpose.”

Vania and Savannah: Culture is a Family Affair

Vania, a parent at St Theresa Preparatory, spoke about reconnecting with her childhood love of dance. This time alongside her daughter.

Savannah, at just five years old, embraced the spotlight and proudly performed in the JCDC’s singing category.
Watching her mother on stage fuelled her courage and joy.
Their shared story is proof that parent-child bonding through arts builds confidence and emotional strength.

“It’s never too late to get involved. Start small — just start.”

Behind Every Performance is a Community

The forum highlighted how cultural development in Jamaica relies on teamwork:

Teachers, parents and community sponsors like Pioneer Meats rallied to support travel and costume needs.
Vania praised Miss Harris, their coach, who led a team of adult women — each with unique personalities — to national victory.
Everyone had a role, and every effort counted.

JCDC Competitions: More Than a Stage

Through storytelling, we explored why JCDC’s role in Jamaican performing arts is essential:

Builds self-expression in children and adults alike
Teaches discipline, collaboration and pride
Creates space for cultural knowledge to be passed down
Encourages personal growth through artistic challenge

Sornia summed it up well: “Even if the reward isn’t cash, what you walk away with is worth far more.”

Replay the JCDC Performing Arts Journey Conversation — It’s Worth Your Time

This forum was filled with laughter, reflection and life lessons. If you missed it live, we encourage you to replay the full session:

👉 Watch the Culture Corner Live Forum Replay

You’ll learn:

How Jamaican culture is being protected through education and art
Why parents are vital in building artistic confidence in children
How community cooperation can change lives through creativity

Thank You to JCDC – Our Forum Partner

We acknowledge the unwavering support of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), whose work continues to elevate Jamaican heritage through competition, mentorship and exposure.

Their partnership with SRC is not just about programming, it’s about nation-building through culture.

Stay Connected with Serenity Resource Connector

We host Culture Corner Live every first Thursday at 8:00 PM. Stay tuned for more conversations that uplift, empower and inform.

✔ Subscribe to our blog at👉 www.serenityresourceconnector.com

✔ Join us on 2nd Thursdays for our Community Safety & Security Forum featuring the JCF Area 3 Police.

Let’s keep Jamaican culture rolling — one voice, one stage, one family at a time.