Celebrating 20 years of Dance Excellence! 1989-2009
Welcome to Ly-Ben Christian Dance Theatre!
The purpose of Ly-Ben Christian Dance Theatre is to encourage and develop the Worship of God through dance and related performing arts. As educators, our goal is excellence in the training of dancers by giving quality dance education, ministry through dance opportunities and personal attention toward each individual's growth and careful nuturing of their artistic abilities.
As a Christian entity, Ly-Ben encourages scriptural understanding of dance and its use in the worship experience. We beleive that the whole house of Isreal danced before the Lord, bringing in the Ark of the Covenant. (2 Samuel 6:15.) We also follow the Lord's commandment to "Study to show yourelf approved, a workman need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD OF TRUTH." (2Timothy 2:15) Ly-Ben CDT is the only African-American owned dance and movement center in Columbia SC, offering Classical Ballet, Pointe, Rhythm Tap, Jazz/Hip Hop, African, Modern, Movement for Tots, Piano and Voice. Ly-Ben CDT houses an "Academics and Arts" After-School, Ly-Ben Arts Academy and a Summer Camp Program. It is also the home of the "Make His Praise Glorious Dance Ministry workshops and the professional Liturgical company " 4Trinity Evangelistic Dance Ministry" and the Ly-Ben Arts Academy, a non profit 501(c) afterschool dance project that works with youth in third and fourth grades, to encourage them to experience the Arts,inspire them to be passionate about them and educate them about the importance of commited technical training.
"But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint."Isaiah 40:31
Christmas 2007 Fellowship
The Founder and Director
Minister Gail Glover Faust
Gail Glover Faust is a 38 year veteran in the dance community. Beginning at the age of seven, she has trained and danced with such notable schools and companies as Columbia City Ballet Co. (SC), The Dance Theatre of Harlem (NY) The Garden State Ballet Co. (NJ), Universal Women (NJ, NY, Conn.) and many others. Mrs. Faust has trained in Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, creative movement, and character dance. She is an Artist in Residence for the State of South Carolina and teaches dance across the state.
In March of 1997 she traveled to Russia as an American ambassador in dance education. She also created and directed the Summer Dance Institute in Nassau the Bahamas as an invited guest of the government. In 1989 Mrs. Faust founded Ly-Ben Dance Theatre. As the Lord called her to a higher vision for dance ministry in her life, Mrs. Faust soon renamed the studio Ly-Ben Christian Dance Theatre.
The purpose and mission of LCDT is to encourage, train, glorify and witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ through dance. Dancers from the ages of 2 through adults learn technique and the biblical foundations for ministry through dance.
Mrs. Faust herself has trained in the ministry of dance at The Allen Cathedral A.M.E. Church (NY) Liturgical dance conference and the International Christian Dance Network (TX) under the tutelage of Dr. Pamela Rutherford, Eyesha Marable (NJ), and Dr. Elaine Flake (NY) to name a few. Mrs. Faust continues to serve the Lord through dance at her studio, by facilitating conferences and workshops and wherever the Lord calls her to minister through the dance.
