| The Dancer
I was born in Durham, North Carolina. When I was three years, old
my mom decided to put me in to gymnastics and soon after, my gymnastics
teacher convinced my mother that dance would be a great addition
to my training. That was all it took for me to fall in love with
dance.
Two great teachers in Durham, Jennifer Potts and Nina Wheeler, really
gave me a strong sense of "I can do it" and an opportunity
to investigate my dreams. On recommendation from Ms. Potts to attend
the American Dance Festival held on the campus of Duke University,
I received the first of three of the American Dance Festival's Young
Tuition Scholarships. Summer after summer, I returned to the festival's
grounds to gain more information and training.
In Washington, DC while attending Howard University, I met and trained
with Lloyd Whitmore and danced as an apprentice with his New
World Dance Company. In New York City, I worked as
an intern in the Ailey School, I served as an assistant to Milton
Myers, and the late Talley Beatty, and I am privileged to be an
original member of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson's company,
Complexions.
In 1994 I was accepted into Philadanco,
the Philadelphia Dance Company, under the artistic direction of
Joan Myers Brown. While in Philadelphia, I was honored with the
Five Arts Magazine's "Rising Star " award, The Philadelphia
Magazine's "Best of Philadelphia" and " 50 Most People
to Watch". Philadanco and Philadelphia
offered so many opportunities, and I was fortunate to be asked to
choreograph in a concert of duets for the annual "Philadelphia
Fringe Festival". Jeffrey Gribbler, presently Ballet Master
at the Pennsylvania Ballet, and I danced together in this exciting
project.
In 1998 I was presented the acclaimed "Bessie"
award in New York for dance and performance. This award helped to
bring my dreams closer than I could have imagined.
The year 2000 brought exciting new changes to my life. I was accepted
as a member of the Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater
and I found new challenges at every turn. Artistic director, Judith
Jamison understands my desires and is continuing to help me as I
strive for new goals.
I was awarded a grant for the Jerome Foundation, in collaboration
with Aaron Davis Hall and their "Fund For New Work". Jane
Magazine acknowledged me in the April 2003 issue as the "Girlie
Crush of the Month". A funny name but I am happy to be recognized
for all of the things that I love to do.
, The most important part of my whole experience is that I am not
working alone. If it were not for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I would be nothing at all. I am currently in my tenth season with the Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater,
the Lord continues to bring great friends and opportunities to my life that I could have never imagined.
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