Get to Know Our Official Dance Line, the Prancing J-Settes
History
Shirley Middleton served as sponsor of the J-Settes from 1970-1975. In 1975, Narah Oatis was appointed the sponsor of the J-Settes. Under her leadership, the Prancing J-Settes became nationally renowned. During her reign, J-Sette marching technics such as the “Salt and Pepper,” “J-Sette Walk,” “Strut,” and “Tip Toe” were perfected. The J-Settes consisted of lines of 12-16 young ladies who marched in rows affectionately named “Short and Sassy,” “Magnificent Middle,” or a “Tall and Tough.” Mrs. Oatis’ tenure is best remembered by many for the J-Settes’ stellar performance at the 30th Anniversary of Motown in 1990, the “Coming to America” , “Proud Mary,” and the “Liturgical Dance” routines. (“Coming to America” and the “Proud Mary” routines were both originally performed in 1995. The “Liturgical Dance” routines was first performed in 1996.) Narah Oatis served as director (sponsor) of the Prancing J-Settes for 21 years. She resigned as sponsor of the J-Settes in February 1997.
In the Spring of 1997, a former J-Sette captain, Mrs. Kathy Pinkston-Worthy was appointed director (sponsor) of the Prancing J-Settes. Under her direction, the J-Settes have become nationally known for their rapid-fire highly technical dance routines to selections such as “I Go to Work” and “Swoop.” Perhaps, the most celebrated marquee performance by the Prancing J-Settes was rendered at the 34th NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood, California in 2003 where the J-Settes performed on National Television with “Cedric the Entertainer” and “Sugar Bear” of E.U. Both routines were choreographed by Mrs. Worthy.
Mrs. Worthy served 16 years as the director of the Prancing J-Settes. In the Spring of 2013, another former J-Sette captain, Mrs. Chloe A. Crowley was named sponsor of the Prancing J-Settes.