THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503290159
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Lithe and graceful Janell Rardon has loved the performing arts for as long as she can remember.
She began twirling at age 4 and dancing at age 7. Blessed with talent, charm and beauty, Rardon danced her way across the stages of Hampton Roads several years ago, claiming such titles as Miss Portsmouth, Miss Chesapeake and Miss Norfolk along the way.
``But then I gave it up for about five years,'' Rardon noted. ``I was dissatisfied with where I was.''
However, a brochure about a Christian dance conference recaptured Rardon's interest. After attending the conference, Rardon looked at her talent from a new perspective.
``For the first time I saw it (dance) as an instrument of praise,'' Rardon noted. ``I offered my gift to the Lord, and he brought it to life again.''
In 1991, Rardon founded Bright Lights Performing Arts Studio to promote Christian interpretive dance in Hampton Roads. ``My vision is to train and equip young people in ministry through the arts,'' Rardon said.
``Part of my desire is to . . . give them their own tool of worship through dance.''
Since opening, Bright Lights has grown to include 25 weekly classes and 190 students with annual praise and worship concerts presented at the Wells Theater in Norfolk.
``Dance is a gift God gave me,'' Rardon explained.
In ``God With Us,'' at Magnolia United Methodist Church, Rardon will perform several solo interpretations of songs within the musical. In one number, she will be assisted by Alexandra Filer, 12.
Additional pageantry and processionals will be performed by members of the Magnolia congregation. by CNB