'Dancehall Adventures' with Latonya Style takes on new meaning of nature therapy

• Published date: 30 April 2022
• Author: Stephanie Lyew
• Publication title: Gleaner, The (Kingston, Jamaica)

The 'staycation' lifestyle created the perfect landscape for many Jamaicans like her to seek entertainment, relaxation, adventure or a little of all three, and she turned the adversity into opportunity. Revisiting a business model she launched in 2017, called Dancehall Adventures, Latonya Style is finding new purpose in combining her earlier experience within the hospitality industry and advocacy for dancehall music, dance and nature therapy

"I've been immersed in a culture of hospitality and travel through my professional career," says Latonya Style, whose first job was as an entertainment coordinator at a popular hotel, "providing service and exceeding expectations by not only giving guests what they want, but what they need or don't have or may not experience where they are from".

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She added, "At one point, requests for classes drastically declined because persons could participate virtually and those visiting went straight to the hostels that offered dancing sessions privately."

She is aware that even though willing to greet Latonya Style as a master dance instructor, there are many who might baulk at hailing her as an adventurer, to which she offers, "it all started with the DanceJA Academy team members, with whom, I would visit local hotspots to film dance instructional videos and choreography to promote our work while showcasing our beautiful island".

The notable dancer adds, "It also transformed into my personal adventures, especially to places with water-based activities. I can't remember my first time travelling, as I would have been a pre-teen but, through The ASHE Company, as a teenager, then by touring with artistes, dancing was my ticket to see other countries. I've always been a nature lover, (so) when my own students started to request me to take them to local tourist attractions, it always ignited something within me."

Over the years, she adopted an attitude of adventure to get the most out of life and her career, and held the mantra that "adventures are not reserved for the rich, accomplished or tourists", instead that everyone – outsiders or residents – should take simple breaks from normal, everyday life, "to explore everything around you and discover new places that make you become one with nature".

Recalling a trip to Japan, the dancer-turned-tour operator said she was given a direct view into nature therapy and how serious it was for people...