Today we’d like to introduce you to Durell Comedy.
Hi Durell, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in the Washington DC/Metro area and started dance training at the age of six, taking classes in ballet, modern, jazz and tap in a primarily Christian environment, with a heavy emphasis on building the Church. Having parents heavily involved in church ministry, I grew up with a great understanding of the importance of serving the local church community. As my passion for dance grew, I furthered my studies in performing arts middle and high schools, eventually earning my Bachelor’s degree in Dance from George Mason University in 2008. Right after graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue my career as a professional dancer, beginning as a freelance artist and then becoming a full-time company member with the Limon Dance Company for seven years. I transitioned to working with the Mark Morris Dance Group for the next four years until I retired from the stage.
During this 11-year performance career, I discovered the art and joy of teaching and choreography so I pursued various opportunities that were available. I also found a strong faith community at The Brooklyn Tabernacle and was awakened to the gift of music when I joined the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. During my ten-year membership, I became a featured soloist and worship leader for the ministry, traveled all over the world sharing the gift of the Gospel through music. In 2019, my wife and family felt the call to pursue full-time ministry and we relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, to join the music staff of First Baptist Church Indian Trail. After two years of ministry there, an opportunity to continue in music and arts ministry became available and with excitement, we relocated our family to the North Houston area in March of 2021. I now work as a Worship Associate and Creative Academy Director at Champion Forest Baptist Church. I’m so excited to be able to combine my love for worship and music with my experience in dance and choreography and hope to build community with other artists and organizations who could benefit from what I have to share.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the greatest struggles along the way were centered on this one word: reconciliation. In the beginning of my professional career in dance, I had difficulty reconciling my passion for performing with my faith convictions. I so desperately wanted to belong in every context of dance that I found I was losing the core of who I was a believer in Christ. I didn’t know how to live out my faith in a performance world that believed differently than me. There were times where I would grow as a performer and artist but my faith journey struggled and vice versa. I ultimately had to find a community that allowed me to be my truest and purest self and I give a lot of credit to The Brooklyn Tabernacle, who helped me navigate that area of my life.
Once I felt like I figured out that part of my journey, the next biggest struggle was reconciling my love and joy for music and singing with my passion for dance and choreography. There was no place for the two worlds to coexist without there being a compromise in one of them or with my family. When we moved to Charlotte, there was no space or time to pursue dance opportunities. In fact, it felt like I would knock hard on certain doors and none of them would open up. I felt discouraged like I had wasted my entire life of dance only to see it not utilized in this new season. I’m thankful for the endurance and trust that I learned during this season of waiting. Two years may not seem like long but for someone who’s accustomed to daily moving and physically creating art to not have the outlet any longer, I felt lifeless. I’m so excited about that a world has been created for me to fully express my truest and purest self here in Champion Forest and Houston, TX!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Here at Champion Forest Baptist Church, I am a worship leader and work under the direction of our Global Worship Pastor, Brent Dyer, who oversees the worship and arts ministries across all four campuses in the North Houston Area. I work alongside the other worship leaders to create and plan services as well as special arts events such as our annual Christmas Spectacular. In addition, I oversee a creative arts academy located at CFBC that provides dance, music and art classes for the church and the local community. My specific skills fall under teaching and choreographing contemporary modern techniques and works as well as singing in contemporary styles. While I have no formal training in voice and music, I have strong ear training and enjoy teaching harmonies to groups and choirs. I also love coaching vocalists and dancers to reach their highest potential and discover their authentic self through their specific art form.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned and continue to learn is the lesson of limitation. For so many years, I placed limits on myself as an artist and tried to classify myself in one singular or specific category. Over the years, I continue to see that the world is so much bigger than I’ve made it, that I’m capable of much more than I give myself credit for, and, most importantly, that God’s vision and plan is even greater than I expect it to be. When I’ve given myself the permission to step outside of the box of conformity and rigidity that limitations can potentially carry, I begin to discover, experience and enjoy the exciting journey of life. At times, it can be a little messy and a bit scary but it’s in the midst of this that I start to discover who I am, what my strengths and weaknesses are, and then allow each of those to be the compass I use to navigate the purpose that God has prepared for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: droncomedy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @durellcomedy
Image Credits
Justin Reid William Avery Photography Melika Dez
