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If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Dance St. Louis’
Bayer Fund Dance Education
Residency and Career Award
Mentoring Program is
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.
I’m
very excited to go into New York City, because New York City is just . . . a place filled with art. People go there to just look at art, see dance, listen to music.
Dance Career Awardee Miles Ashe with Director of Dance Division at Juilliard School Alicia Graf Mack, Summer Program Choreographer Bennyroyce Royon, and Alvin Ailey Artist and Choreographer Kirven Douhit-Boyd.
ADMITS ONLY STUDENTS IN DANCE PER YEAR. 24
Selected in 2017/18
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.
He was selected for the invitation-only Summer Dance Intensive program at The Juilliard School of Dance in New York City with the help of the Dance St. Louis Career Awards Mentoring program.
He has been accepted at the prestigious Juilliard School of Dance and will begin as a full-time student in Fall 2021. The Juilliard School, widely considered the best performing arts conservatory in the nation, has a highly competitive admissions process with a low acceptance rate. Juilliard admits only 24 students in dance per year, and Miles was one. What an achievement.
“
Without the generous support that Dance St. Louis gave me through my audition process for college, I would not have been able to attend The Boston Conservatory...
I am forever grateful. ”
Joel will be starring in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at The MUNY in August 2021.
Selected in 2015/16
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student Grand Center Arts Academy.
Graduated from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a BFA in Musical Theater, emphasis in dance. He has performed in faculty directed musicals such as A Chorus Line, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Carousel.
He was a featured dancer in live arena concerts for Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot and Alex Lacamoire. In addition, he was a dancer in an Untitled Growing Up Series for Disney+.
He currently lives in New York City, and will be coming back to his hometown starring in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at e MUNY in August 2021 and in Mary Poppins in 2022.
Selected in 2012/13
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student
University City High School
WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL Daphne attended Summer Dance Intensive: Dance eatre of Harlem (DTH) in New York
GRADUATED Loyola University New Orleans, BFA in design.
TODAY She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY as a graphic designer and photo stylist in both the fashion and entertainment industry.
“Though I did not pursue a career in dance, all of my dance training and wonderful gifts from Dance St. Louis proved beneficial for my career in the arts. I was able to dance through college and even when I studied abroad in New Zealand. My love of dance production led me to work in theatre tech and some of my first jobs out of college helping to design sets for movies and TV. Spending that summer at DTH inspired my recent move to New York for my dream job at a great design studio.
“Don’t be afraid of exploring new avenues. They contribute to your artistry and training in more ways than you will ever know. Training only makes you a stronger performer and artist.
Remember that many people have been through the same process, and you are never truly alone.
Selected in 2011/12
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student at Grand Center Arts Academy
Anita Chisum has been dancing since the age of eight in various styles such as classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, African, and modern techniques respectively Graham and Horton. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and has completed multiple summer dance intensives:
■ Webster University in St. Louis
■ Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York
■ Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York
■ Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago
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Without your support, I would not have been exposed to an array of dance techniques and styles, people, and professions within the dance industry. You helped me receive the best training and knowledge that I needed for college and post-secondary life. Thank you so much.
Anita currently lives in St. Louis while teaching dance to kids and adults. Recently she taught a jazz class at a professional dance company in Brazil.
SPRING 2012
Students took classes in Flamenco and were immersed in the culture of Spain through music, dance, and the Spanish language.
FALL 2012
Students learned about the genesis of the Pilobolus company, weight sharing and partnering, and how to make dances from haiku poems. The residency culminated in public performances by Pilobolus, including a Young People’s Performance for 1,200 school children.
Dance St. Louis has been bringing renowned and highly sought-after teaching artists from across the globe to instruct, inspire and connect our city’s underserved students to the leaders of the professional dance world.
FALL 2013
Students were taught about Chinese traditional dances and culture, and Chinese story ballet, culminating in free attendance to Shanghai Ballet’s performance of The Butterfly Lovers.
SPRING 2014
Students focused on the theme of Revelations, Ailey’s masterpiece, learning the dance technique he employed, and exploring his life as it related to African-American history and culture. Students were given free tickets for the Alvin Ailey company performances.
SPRING 2013
This residency, entitled “Diversity in Dance”, explored the similarities and differences between hip hop and concert modern dance.
FALL 2014
Students were presented a curriculum that combined ballet technique classes with a history of African-American diaspora, taught through music and dance.
CONNECTING STUDENTS TO A WORLD OF DIVERSE CULTURES AND HISTORY THROUGH DANCE.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
2015
Tango teaching artists taught this challenging style of dance, along with the rich history of Argentinean music, dance, and culture.
FALL 2015
Students took modern dance classes in the style of the Paul Taylor Dance Company and explored how the family tree of modern dance pioneers influenced his work as a choreographer. Students also had the chance to create their own dances using different movement generation processes.
2016
Students learned about the founder of Momix, Moses Pendleton, and how he incorporated ideas found in ancient alchemy and nature into his philosophy as an artist and choreographer. Students also practiced creating movement from observing their surroundings.
2016
Students took classes in modern dance from company members and learned about how oral history and storytelling can be used when choreographing, which was exemplified by Bill T. Jones work Analogy/Dora: Tramontane based on an oral history conducted with his mother-in-law regarding her journey during WWII.
Because of Dance St. Louis, my 28 dance students are walking around school with their heads held high. Their attendance and grades have improved tremendously.
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DUANE FOSTER, TEACHER NORMANDY HIGH SCHOOL
SPRING 2017
Students took classes in contemporary dance and learned phrases from RAWdance repertoire that explored the historic struggle of women being underrepresented and undervalued in the visual arts.
FALL 2017
Students took classes in tap dance and learned about the history of tap originating from enslaved Africans in the 1650’s up to present day forms of tap such as “Power Tapping.”
INSPIRING STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR CREATIVE POTENTIAL.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Students learned about what goes into the making of a new dance work, and were introduced to some notable choreographers from around the country. They also worked on developing their own choreography and discussed what they made and why.
This residency included contemporary dance classes specific to the WEWOLF style of dance. Students also produced digital content that was reflective of their backgrounds and personal histories, encouraging them to make new connections with their peers based on trust.
Students were taught choreographic thinking tools from the Mind and Movement curriculum focusing on how imagery is processed in the mind and how this relates to movement generation and choreography.
Students had the opportunity to learn from renowned Broadway performer Kim Morgan and actor Jill Allenby about the importance of dance technique in theater, and how musical theater and pop culture intertwine.
Students learned about the tradition of Black History month through one of the most influential modern dance choreographers, Alvin Ailey. They experienced his love of the Horton Technique and studied his most well-known work called Revelations that has had an enduring relevance for over 60 years.
Because of the pandemic, local ballet teachers from diverse backgrounds were instrumental in this virtual residency, demonstrating the breadth and scope of this 19th century art form.
Students took classes virtually in modern and contemporary dance blended with traditional West African movement. They also explored the role that dance has had in social justice and how current events have influenced the work of Ronald K. Brown.
FALL 2021
They are an African-American company based in Memphis, TN focused on classical ballet. The residency will concentrate on their modern take on the classical artform of ballet, and how they have navigated the dance world as African-American artists.
I would like to thank you for opening up the door for me, allowing me travel to different states to explore and grow within my dance craft.
Being able to travel and work with different cultures truly opened my eyes to dance and that is how I honestly knew this would be a career for me.
Selected in 2013/14
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.
Daryon had the honor of going back to CVPA (Central Visual and Performing Arts) where his career growth truly began and was asked to teach and recreate a hip hop/modern version of Alvin Ailey’s Sinnerman, which students performed at their school showcase.
Daryon attended Summer Dance Intensives:
■ Milwaukee Ballet (full scholarship)
■ Cincinnati Ballet (full scholarship)
■ Kansas City Ballet (full scholarship)
Immediately after graduating high school, Daryon joined MADCO 2 (Modern American Dance Company) in St. Louis as an apprentice.
He currently lives in St. Louis and is a professional dancer with MADCO. He is in his fifth season with the main company and has performed the work of several notable choreographers: Gina Patterson, Jennifer Archibald, Cecil Slaughter, Nejla Yatkin, Bebe Miller, Christian Denice, and Lindsay Hawkins. In addition to dancing, he teaches choreography and virtual classes for grade school students.
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The support I received helped me gain access to institutions and individuals that I would have never fathomed ever coming in contact. The support gave me the confidence and conviction to believe in myself, to push past mediocre and strive to be the best artist that I can be, which is something that I'm always working towards.
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
SCREENDANCE MIAMI FESTIVAL
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
SPRINGBOARD DANSE MONTRÉAL
Selected in 2014/15
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School
Channce attended Summer Dance Intensives: Dance eatre of Harlem in New York
Nutmeg Conservatory in Connecticut
Springboard Danse Montréal in Montréal Quebec
Point Park University, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in dance.
He is currently a company dancer for Groundworks in Cleveland, Ohio and pursuing independent projects.
“
experience everything to its fullest capacity.
” Be open to everything, and more importantly, allow yourself to
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If it wasn’t a cliché, I would say it was a life changing experience.
The Career Award program has been helpful in many ways. I’ve had numerous opportunities that I didn’t have originally. I got the chance to advance my dance training. Everything has been truly amazing and I’m grateful for it all.
” CAMARON
BALLARD
Selected in 2012/13
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student
University City High School.
Dance St. Louis provided financial assistance to help Camaron attend Dance eatre of Harlem’s summer dance intensive in New York. Upon high school graduation, he spent the following two years training at Dance eatre of Harlem school where he studied ballet classics and other dance styles.
Dance St Louis also assisted Camaron in visiting and auditioning at Columbia College in Chicago. He was accepted there but graduated with a BFA in Dance with emphasis in Ballet at Webster University, having been awarded substantial scholarship and financial aid.
Cameron serves as a Dance Instructor in the St. Louis area as well as Redd Williams’ Rehearsal Assistant.
He appeared as a dancer in the movie, Coming 2 America (2021), starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.
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It’s never too early or too late to work towards being your best self.
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CYNTHIA ANDERSON
Selected in 2011/12
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.
BFA in Dance from California Institute of the Arts. After graduating from college, she was a professional dancer in Los Angeles for 5 years.
She teaches dance in St. Louis at Yes Honey Studio, a boutique fitness studio focused on hip hop dancing, cardio and strength training. She is also an entrepreneur and owns an organic juice company called Dosage.
She recently performed at the City Foundry in the P/K Project, “A Conversation: A Dance On Differences” an initiative that brings performance opportunities to local BIPOC artists in St. Louis area. e K/P Project has created danced conversations about racial injustices, police brutality, sexuality, gender norms, ableism, and minority experiences.
Dance St. Louis really put a spark in me that I never knew I needed. Thank you for being who you are and supporting us as artists in the making. “
Without the Career Award, I would not have had the push needed to get me where I am now. For that, I am truly grateful. ”
Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student University City High School.
In his freshman year at Southeast Missouri State University, Jordan was cast in SEMO’s production of Legally Blonde: followed by acceptance in SEMO’s BFA program in Musical eatre. He was cast in the spring dance concert and earned all As and Bs that semester.
He graduated from SEMO in 2017 with a BFA in Musical eater.
Since graduating he has toured with Bright Star’ Children’s eatre for their Black History season, and was in the cast of Hello Dolly! in Rolla, MO.
Selected in 2011/12 Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student Normandy High School.
She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in eatre and Dance from Missouri State University, where she concentrated her studies on ballet, modern, jazz, tap, partnering, choreography, acting, Cunningham Technique and improvisation.
While at Missouri State University, Jazzmon performed with the Inertia Dance Company. Inertia's mission is to increase awareness about dance by presenting live dance performances in public schools. As a dancer, she brought dance awareness and performed live to children in the Springfield Missouri public school community.
Jazzmon is a dancer with Consuming Kinetics Dance Company in St. Louis.
As a teen struggling with self-doubt, I had a habit of walking around with my head down. Today, I walk with confidence, and continuously strive for growth as an individual dancer, teacher and choreographer.
TA’SHAYLA MONTGOMERY
Selected in 2012/13 Bayer Fund Dance Education Residency student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.
She has graduated from Howard University with a BFA in eatre Arts as well as a MFA in Acting for Film at New York Film Academy.
Nurtured as a dancer in the dynamic, rhythmic world of the Katherine Dunham Technique and driven to shape other dancers in the same legendary, compelling method, Ta’Shayla now teaches in the same performing arts program, located in her hometown of East St. Louis, where she began her training at the age of nine.
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The Dunham Technique has been the foundation and power to succeed inside and outside the dance studio and classroom. I have learned self-discipline and developed a strong work ethic, but most importantly, gained confidence.
She is the assistant director and dance consultant at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis (ESLC) for the Performing Arts.
Dance St. Louis’ community engagement provides equitable access, high quality arts learning, and dance education to the youth of St. Louis, focused on supporting the physical, social, and emotional development, and improving the educational, community and wellness outcomes for young people.
Now
I feel like
I can go out in the world and become someone.
Focused on students-at-risk populations, Dance St. Louis integrates the arts into the academic curriculum at schools to achieve life-changing impact.
BASED ON A NATIONAL STUDY FUNDED BY NEA, DANCE EDUCATION AT K-12 SCHOOLS, IN PARTICULAR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS, CAN:
■ Lower drop-out rates
■ Improve test scores and academic performance
■ Teach life skills and character building
■ Enhance emotional well-being and healthy eating habits
■ Promote conflict resolution
■ Self-expression
■ Develop empathy
■ Opportunities for inclusion
You funded my dreams and my future before I even knew what was fully out there.
This Impact Report is dedicated to YOU and the team of visiting teaching artists, local teachers, school superintendents, arts administrators, donors, staff, volunteers and to many others who, over the span of ten years (2012 to 2021), have impacted the lives of our residency students and dance career awardees.
It is the Dance St. Louis artistic and education leadership team that convinces our students that their aspirations are attainable, and their dreams can become reality.