ABOUT ME

I began dancing at the age of 3 when my mom saw that I would attempt to tap in our kitchen. But my mom is in the arts and she knew that I should start out with ballet to build my technique from a young age. After a year I got to add tap, then modern, jazz, pointe, and so on. At the age of 10 my father, who is also in the arts, insisted on putting me in vocal lessons because I also liked to sing. This would be extremely beneficial as my passion for musical theater would soon be awakened when I did my first middle school production, "Beauty and The Beast." 

 

I had always known that I wanted to be a performer but I really learned that dance is what feeds my soul when I got the opportunity to attend the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) dance program in 2013. Under the artistic direction of Carolyn Adams, my eyes were opened to new techniques, repertoire, and professional choreographers such as Francesca Harper, Eryka Pujic, Laura Bennett, Marisa Ballaro, and Earl Mosley. I spent four summers at NYSSSA and felt myself growing as an artist and dancer every year. As I went into high school, my aforementioned passion for musical theatre grew and I did the musical every year of my high school career. My senior year of high school I did two productions with the local teen theatre company, Acting Out Playhouse. There I got the chance to play Vanessa in In The Heights and choreograph a production of Heathers The Musical.

 

My decision to major in dance was not an easy one but ultimately my need to dance would win out over my love for musical theatre.  I decided to attend Howard University to have the opportunity to train with people who look like me and I know are rooting for every young black dancer. Throughout my time at Howard I have had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Tommie Waheed Evans, Janice Rosario, and our artistic director, Royce Zackery. I have also had the opportunity to assist rehearsal director, Pat Thomas. These experiences have molded me into a mature, smart dancer and I am forever grateful for them. Throughout my journey, I have learned invaluable lessons that I want to be able to eventually share with those that will come after me. I hope to use my gifts to inspire people that way that performance art inspires me. I also want to be able to make an impact on the slowing changing standards of what a "dancer's body" is as I do not have that. I believe a body that dances is a dancer's body. 

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This is my ever-evolving story. 

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