How I became an artist, educator, and advocate
My mother is classically trained in voice and piano, and my father is a self-taught guitarist and saxophonist.? It would seem likely that I would follow in the musical footsteps of my family.? However, my journey in the arts took a different path when I started dance class at the age of 3 years old.? I joined the Mini Dance Troupe at my home studio in North Carolina where I got to learn jazz and tap to perform at competitions.? After my first competition, I was beaming from ear to ear!?
The confidence and pride I had in myself for remembering the steps, the fun I had on stage, and the cute Mini Mouse costume were exhilarating. I continued to audition for more advanced dance troupes, taking more classes, attending summer intensives, and eventually switching dance studios to better prepare myself for my future college studies in dance.? Thankfully, my parents and family have been very supportive of my dance journey and pursuit of happiness through movement.? It is through movement that I find the place I feel the most comfortable, the most authentic, and the most at home.
I pursued a bachelor's degree in Dance from the University of Maryland at College because I wanted to be a performer - traveling the world, celebrating opening nights, and living the dream.? However, I had to choose another path as I navigated unexpected leg and knee injuries.? After graduation, I decided to pursue other interests of mine, including religion, while I figured out what was next for me.? In the process, I enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity degree in Youth Studies.? Because of the focus of my degree, I was placed at an internship site in Ghana, West Africa where I was asked to “teach the students some dance.”? Initially, I declined because I was not a fan of children, nor did I have any desire to be a teacher.? But after much convincing, I went to teach my first group of students in June 2005.? At the end of the one-hour class, I sat there in tears because I had just unlocked my calling as a teacher.?
Immediately, after completing my Masters degree, I obtained my Dance Education Certification and moved to the Maryland/DC area where the Arts are rich and vibrant.? I taught dance in Maryland and DC middle and high schools for 10 years and it was by far one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.? Although I am no longer in the classroom, I know that I am forever teaching others and giving back to the students and community regardless of the position or organization I am with.??
Now out of the classroom, I have been at DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative for almost four years, currently in the role of Director of Education Development and Partnerships.? One of the reasons I accepted the position at the Collaborative was because of the direct connection and impact it has on public school students.?
When I was a teacher, I understood how important it was for me to connect with students during instruction, but also I knew how vital it was to have the right people in administration who would support, advocate, and create opportunities for those students to grow and thrive beyond my classroom.? I am thankful to have been in schools that supported Dance as an art form, but that is not always the case.?
I had the privilege to attend private lessons, competitions, and intensives for my art form as a youth.? However, that is not always the case, especially in marginalized communities.? Through their equitably assigned programming for schools, and their constant professional development offerings on DEI, SEL, and Cultural Relevancy for Program Providers, DC Collaborative is setting the example of what it means to support, advocate, and create opportunities for students to grow and thrive in the Arts both inside and outside of the classroom.
Dance has always been the center of which everything revolves around.? My career in the Arts has included being a classroom teacher, arts administrator, grant writer and reviewer, performer, choreographer, writer, teaching artist, and presenter.? I have worked with early childhood students through adults in various capacities.? I have faced challenges in demonstrating the transformative power of dance and the lasting impact of the arts to leaders who did not fully grasp their significance. And I have endured setbacks due to physical injuries and a lack of funding for the community of artists who make the DMV so vibrant and alive.?
Despite the challenges, I continue to persevere because I remember that feeling I had as a little girl on stage.? I want all students to be able to find the place they feel most comfortable, most authentic, and most at home.? And I believe the Arts are the purest form of expression that can lead someone to this discovery.
Thank you,
领英推荐
Director of Education Development and Partnerships
“One of our students often struggles to engage with content in the classroom but is still talking about his visit to the museum. While there he asked a lot of questions and showed much interest in the art around him. After our field trip he asked his mentor (through the foster care system) to take him to another museum. This week he told me about a visit to a museum over the weekend where he saw crystals. He’s already asked to go to more museums too. I’ve loved having a glimpse into more of his interests and the shared experience has given us an opportunity to connect and strengthen our relationship which hopefully encourages him to engage more with school content too.”? Teacher at Brightwood Elementary School
When you support DC Collaborative, you support local public school teachers bringing transformative arts and humanities programming directly to their classrooms. Your gift fuels experiential learning opportunities for students across all 8 wards of our city, making a lasting impact on their education and their lives.
With the help of our members and community partners, we provide teachers with the resources they need to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and connection through dynamic programming. Together, we’re building a future where every student has access to enriching educational experiences—and every teacher has the tools to make that possible.