ABOUT ME: Artist and educator with over 21 years experience dedicated to the transformative power of the arts and deeply invested in making high quality arts experiences available to all communities. 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: 

Teaching Artist and choreographer for over 21 years.  

Professional modern dancer for over a decade. 

Artistic Director of an innovative project based dance company since 2012.  

Experienced Rehearsal Director and Production Coordinator. 

Understanding of pedagogy across techniques and styles. 

Mentor to aspiring artists. 

EDUCATION 

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS – BFA, New York, NY. 1999. 

FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART AND THE PERFORMING ARTS, New York, NY. 1996. 

DIRECTOR

RISING: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MAYA ANGELOU (Working Title), Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY 2023 (In process).

LISTEN TO MY MELODY: Dancing the Legacy of Soul Music, Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2020 (canceled due to COVID).  

HARLEM NIGHT SONG, Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2017.

IRENE DIAMOND SUMMER INSTITUTE, Director, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2017 and 2018.

THE SOUND OF HIS LIVING, Director/Choreographer, Bianca Johnson + Dancers, New York, NY, 2016.

UNDER ONE SKY: NDI Dances China, Assistant Director, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2014. 

BLEUE: An Evening Inspired by Nina Simone, Director/Choreographer, Bianca Johnson + Dancers, New York, NY, 2014. 

THE WOODMAN PROJECT, Director/Choreographer, Bianca Johnson + Dancers, New York, NY,  2013.

INNER VISIONS:  A Celebration of Stevie Wonder, Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2012. 

A SENSE OF WONDER, Assistant Director, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2011. 

CHOREOGRAPHER: 

MILL 19, Choreographer, SHANA SIMMONS DANCE: VIRTUAL DANCE EXCHANGE PROJECT, Pittsburg, PA, 2021. 

LISTEN TO MY MELODY: Dancing the Legacy of Soul Music, Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2020 (canceled due to COVID). 

YOUR SILENCE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2019.

ART AND BRUSHSTROKES, NDI – NEW MEXICO, Choreographer, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2018 and 2019. 

FLINT, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2018.  

CAGED BIRD, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2016.

BOTH SIDES NOW and FORTUNATE SON, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2016.

TV MEDLEY – Lyrics & Legacy, Choreographer, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, New York, NY. 2015.

WILD CURSIVE and THE LEGEND OF FENG HUANG, Choreographer, National Dance Institute,  New York, NY, 2014.

OH, ROCK MY SOUL – Peace, Love & the Power of Song, Choreographer, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts,  New York, NY, 2014.

UNTITLED 4, Choreographer, Dumbo Dance Festival, New York, NY, 2013. 

WRITTEN IN THE STARS, Choreographer, Youth Pride Chorus,  New York, NY, 2013.

2013 VOLUNTEER PIECE, Choreographer, House of the Roses, New York, NY, 2013. 

INNER VISIONS:  A Celebration of Stevie Wonder, Director/Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2012. 

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2012. 

2012 VOLUNTEER PIECE, Choreographer, House of the Roses, New York, NY, 2012. 

HAIR, Choreographer, Youth Pride Chorus,  New York, NY, 2011. 

STAR STUFF and THE MOON, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2011. 

FIREWORK, Choreographer, Youth Pride Chorus,  New York, NY, 2011. 

CELLO SUITES and DRUM SPEAKS, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2010.  

BEATLEMANIA and A DAY IN THE LIFE, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2009. 

DIE FLEDERMAUS, Choreographer, Martina Arroyo Foundation, New York, NY, 2009. 

CREATION MYTH, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2008. 

EARTH, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2007. 

OBERON’S REVENGE, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2006.

RANDOM WALK, Choreographer, National Dance Institute, New York, NY, 2005. 

TEACHING ARTIST/GUEST ARTIST

NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE, New York, NY. 2001-Present. 

SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION, Judge and Guest Lecturer, Shanghai, China, 2019. 

YOUTH PRIDE CHORUS, New York, NY, 2011-2013.

HOUSE OF THE ROSES, New York, NY, 2012-2013. 

FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART AND THE PERFORMING ARTS, New York, NY (Substitute Teacher). 

TRAININGS

NDI COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING, BE BOLD (MISTY COPELAND FOUNDATION), Co-trainer/facilitator, curriculum development, New York, NY, 2022-Present.

RESIDENCIES

NDI – NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe & Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2018 and 2019. 

SILO/KIRKLAND FARM, Residency, Pennsylvania, PA., 2015 and 2016. 

THE WOODMAN PROJECT, The University of St. Joseph, West Hartford, CT., 2014. 

PRAIRIE DANCE THEATER, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2009. 

NORTH CAROLINA ARTS IN ACTION, Carrboro, North Carolina, 2009. 

CONARTE, Mexico City, Mexico, 2008. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING

THE PEOPLE’S INSTITUTE FOR SURVIVAL AND BEYOND (August 2022). 

CENTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION (September 2018). 

YAVILAH MCCOY – DIMENSIONS EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING (2022-2023)