DANCE CANVAS

What former DC Nexters have to say:

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"Because of DC Next, I appreciate choreography a lot more now. [...] Now I’m able to take time and improv and really explore movement."

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- Courtney Thomas (DC Next 2010)

  Currently dancing in the National Tour of The Lion King

 

"It helped me with my training of course, but also how to market myself and my talents; I learned audition tips, team-building and I made great dance connections."

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- Dorothy Cherry (DC Next 2010)

  Currently performing with Urbanity Dance in Boston

 

"The versatile teachers and techniques I learned were amazing and helpful for my career!"

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- Paige White (DC Next 2011)

  Currently in her 3rd season with METdance Houston

 

"DC Next has shaped me into the young artist I am today. The honesty and discipline prepared me for the real world in and outside of dance. There are real connections that were made between my teachers, peers, and I that helped me further along my career. The program has really lifted me up in every way."

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- Shaquille Bailey (DC Next 2014)

  Currently the Lead Instructor/Dance Program Specialist, Aviation Community Cultural Center

 

"DC Next helped show me that with basic business, marketing, and networking skills, you can pursue your passion in a sustainable way. I am not currently pursuing a career in the performing arts, but this lesson can be translated to my work in public health."

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- Amanda Harris (DC Next 2010)

  Currently the Manager of Strategic Planning, St. Louis Regional Health Commission

 

 

We are so proud of DC NEXT & DC INTERNS!

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• Lara Davis (DC NEXT 2010, DC INTERN 2014, DC CHOREOGRAPHER 2018) graduated from the University of Georgia and has danced professionally with The Georgia Ballet, Refuge Dance, and Dance Canvas. She currently dances, teaches, and choreographs in Atlanta and is also serving as an Administrative Assistant for Dance Canvas.

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• Mikaila Ware (DC INTERN 2016) graduated from Florida State University and was awarded a 10-week paid Diversity in Arts Leadership Internship through Americans for the Arts. She also served as Accessibility Fellow at Lincoln Center in NYC and interned with the Brooklyn Arts Exchange. She now dances in NYC.

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• Courtney Thomas (DC NEXT 2010) is performing as part of the National Touring cast of Disney's The Lion King.

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• Kaylin Cabble (DC NEXT 2015) was accepted to the Joffrey Ballet School's Contemporary Trainee program in NYC. The 16 yr old junior moved to NYC in the fall to begin studying at the prestigious school. Her piece, "Power", which she created during her time at DC NEXT, was selected to be performed at Atlanta Ballet's "Healthy Living Day".

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• Teresa Wilson (DC INTERN 2011) graduated from University of the Arts. She worked with Debbie Allen on her production of "Brothers of the Night". Since moving to back to ATL, Teresa has been working for Dance Canvas in our youth outreach initiatives, and currently tours as a dancer with Keith Sweat.

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• Jaylen Clay (DC NEXT 2010, DC INTERN 2012, 2013, DC CHOREOGRAPHER 2015) graduated from Alabama State University and is now pursing an MFA in dance at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Jaylen was acknowledged for hi choreography by the Harlequin Floor scholarship.

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• Birane Moore (DC NEXT 2013) who currently attends Adelphi University in NY, and Austyn Rich (DC NEXT 2012) who attends University of Southern California both returned this summer as guest artists to perform with DC NEXT 2015 in the Atlanta premier of Daniel Catanach's work "Estancia".

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• Amanda Harris (DC NEXT 2010) is the founder of non-profit organization, "Wear then Share". "Where then Share" has donated thousands of dollars worth of dance clothes and shoes to Dance Canvas' outreach programs within the City of Atlanta's Centers of Hope.

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• Patrice Bryant (DC INTERN 2014-15) was hired as Dance Canvas' Administrative Assistant for the 2014-15 season, following her time as an intern. Patrice created and curated Dance Canvas' newest online platform "An Inside Look" blog salon. In 2015, Patrice served as Program Coordinator for DC NEXT's Satellite location at The Georgia Ballet. Most recently, Patrice was hired as the Dance Director at Hickory Hills Elementary School in Marietta.

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• Ekaterina Sudakova (DC NEXT 2013) recently graduated from DeKalb School for the Arts and attends Georgia State University. As an emerging professional dance photographer, Kathy has been DC NEXT's resident photographer for the past 2 summers, providing headshots and performance photos for the students.