Teaching Dance Statement
The world of dance is known for instilling discipline, dedication, and perseverance in its students—values I strive to cultivate in every dancer I teach. However, beyond technique and commitment, my greatest goal is to ignite a lasting passion for movement, a fire I call Energicity. It’s that electrifying feeling when you perform when the crowd erupts in applause, or when you finally perfect a turn sequence. That spark is what transforms a dancer from simply executing steps to truly expressing their soul.
From a young age, I have been both a mover and a mentor with my journey beginning at Dallas Black Dance Academy. While in the academy, I had the honor of training under industry professionals and developed the foundation for strong technique and emotional execution. Through learning styles such as Modern, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and African, I gained a sense of awareness for my whole body and how it moves in space. I was able to do this with the ability to move freely and unashamed, because all of the faculty and dancers, were diverse and didn’t fit the stereotypical ‘dancer body’, I was able to see myself in a lot of them. Knowing that a little black girl like me could become a beautiful black professional dancer, like them, allowed me to openly express myself and fully dive into dance without anything holding me back. This is exactly the experience I would like to cultivate for my students.
Choreography has played a significant role in my development as an artist and educator. At only 12 years old, I choreographed my first solo at the first competition I’d ever gone to. Placing 3rd overall, proved to me that I did have potential, not just as a dancer, but as a choreographer as well. It taught me that I could be seen by others as a beautiful dancer, even if I didn’t come with the entire ‘dancer body’ package. That experience also taught me not only how to visualize movement but also how to organize my ideas into cohesive storytelling through dance. My love for choreography only deepened as I served as Dance Captain for my high school’s musical productions, where I learned to craft movement for large groups and audiences. This proved to be a challenge, especially working with a lot of actors who had never formally danced before or had any type of training. This is where I learned the importance of exploratory work and encouragement of failure. That is the only way an artist can grow. Later, I was honored with the Best Choreographer award for Texas State University’s Dance Nation, solidifying my passion for shaping movement that speaks to dancers and audiences alike.
As an educator, my philosophy is that every dancer has value—whether they excel in technique or thrive in movement-driven expression. My mission is to help each student discover their unique artistry by fostering confidence, creativity, and connection to their inner selves. If they have the spark, my goal is to fan the flames.
With a BFA in Acting, a minor in Dance, and over 15 years of training in Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop, I approach dance not just as a discipline, but as a powerful form of storytelling and expression. My teaching integrates technique with emotional depth, ensuring that every dancer I work with understands that their movement holds meaning. Whether on stage or in the studio, I am committed to empowering the next generation of dancers—helping them find their voice, their artistry, and their own Energicity.
