If you’ve seen a music video lately then you know not all forms of dance are glorifying to God.

But that doesn’t have to be the case according to dance teacher Carmelita Millett.

She launched Anointed Steps Dance Ministry earlier this year, with the goal of offering dance classes with a spiritual focus.

The school will host its first dance recital today at the new Berkeley Institute cafetorium; 50 dance students will showcase how they’re using their God-given talents to honour the Lord.

“Most dance schools have their recitals in June or July, but we wanted to do something different by hosting ours in November,” Mrs Millett explained.

“We only opened the school in May, so I spoke with the teachers and asked them if the students would be ready to perform their dances and they said ‘yes’ and approved it.

“I am a little nervous about the big day, but the teachers have worked really hard and the students have practised their hearts out. Everyone has the same focus and end result so I know it will be fun.”

Mrs Millett has been interested in dance for the majority of her life.

She started taking formal training at the age of 16 and danced professionally with the Bermuda Follies production of Bermuda Is Another World, in 1986 and 1987. But after dedicating her heart to the Lord in 1998, dancing became a struggle for her.

She said: “After joining the church I wasn’t sure if I could still dance and I was torn about it for a little while.

“But then once I found out there was still a way I could use my gift in dance and not compromise my beliefs, I felt a sense of peace.

“I had joined New Creation Worship Centre and they asked if I would lead the dance ministry in 1999. That’s been a huge joy for me ever since.”

After becoming a parent, Mrs Millett’s desire to give young people a safe space to pursue their talents grew even stronger.

The Anointed Steps Dance Ministry School was her solution.

It offers the same classes as a traditional dance school — ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop — but also mime and liturgical dance.

“We do everything, but we try and add a spiritual component to it,” Mrs Millett said. “We are a scripture-based school and have a new scripture focus each term.

“When we first opened up, our scripture focus was John 3:16, which says ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’. And just giving them scriptures was really helpful for them and reminded them they could be Christian, love like God loves us and be all they can be.

“We incorporated those scriptures into the dance and the music they listen to as well.”

The school plays gospel music, rather than mainstream. Its dancers also have relatively modest costumes.

“Our costumes are made by a local company called Royalty Unlimited by a woman named Deborah Prince who tries not to expose the ladies,” she said. “We may get them to wear the tutu-like skirt, but we look for costumes that will cover them.”

Mrs Millett said it’s been rewarding to see how multicultural the school has become and how dance students are thriving in the various programmes.

Children that came in shy are now excited to get to class and catch up with friends.

“Seeing the energy they have and the excitement they show when they come into their classrooms, and how the teachers as well have developed a really great relationship with the students, makes it all worthwhile for me,” Mrs Millett said.

“When we opened in May I wasn’t sure how it would catch on. But from then until now we have over 50 students, so that has been really encouraging for me.”

* Anointed Steps Dance Ministry School will host two shows today at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets, $25 to $50, can be purchased at the door of the new Berkeley Institute cafetorium.