Monica McGowan
Monica McGowan studied and performed with the Ivy Baxter group, Soohih School (Ballet) and the University of the West Indies, Jamaica summer school. McGowan was considered a stylish and intelligent dancer with dramatic power and impeccable gift for phrasing. She was noted for her performance in Legend of Lovers’ Leap in the role of Liza. But it was not until the 1970’s with such works as Lucifer Lucifer (in the role of the woman), The Rope and the Cross (Judith), Shadows (the protagonist), Ni-Woman of Destiny (Nanny), Mountain Woman (the third generation woman), and Wonder Love and Raise (as soloist) that she emerged as an artist of major stature. She later appeared in works like Gerrehbenta and Islands in the 1980’s, this owing to her high level of concentration and commitment which were honed from her ballet training and continued teaching of Cecchetti ballet methods to students at School of Dance Junior Department. McGowan also taught students at Kingston’s Holy Childhood School and several community dance groups in which she choreographed and at the time of her passing appeared in over fifty works in the Company’s wide-ranging repertoire. Monica McGowan was a recipient of the Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal (1979) for her achievements in dance and drama.