Guest Artists
Terrance M. Johnson is a professional dance artist, activist, and scholar from Alexandria, Louisiana. He is a graduate of The Southern University A&M College at Baton Rouge, LA where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing. Upon graduation he relocated to Dallas, TX where he became a marketing and sales professional with leading Fortune 500 companies including: Bank of America, Chase Bank, and International Business Machines (IBM). While maintaining a successful corporate career, Terrance took evening adult classes at Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) and later became a company member of Dallas Black Dance Theater II. He credits his dance training to institutions including Dallas Black Dance Academy, The Ailey School, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and the School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas. He has performed with companies including Dallas Black Dance Theater II, Exhibit Dallas Collective, Beckles Dancing Company, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, and the Dallas Opera. In addition to training and performance experience, Terrance studied dance theories and praxis at Texas Women’s University where he received a Master of Fine Arts in dance performance and choreography. Upon the completion of his graduate studies he founded the Terrance M. Johnson Dance Project to support the welfare and enrichment of underserved communities.
The Terrance M. Johnson Dance Project (TMJDP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that uses the art of dance to promote community outreach, cultural awareness, social consciousness, art in education, and the preservation of live performance art. Our mission is to support the welfare of underserved communities through the creation and implementation of art & culture programs that are rooted in principles of humanity.
Theater Performance Experience: MAMMA MIA (Las Vegas), Movin’ Out (1st National), Swing! (1st National), CATS (4th National), Garden of Earthly Delights (Off-Broadway), Contact (Northshore), Come Fly With Me (Alliance Theater). Dance Companies: Twyla Tharp’s THARP, Feld Ballets/NY, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, American Dance Machine for the 21st Centurey. Other: Viva Elvis (Cirque Du Soleil). Matt currently teaches at several schools in the Dallas area.
Michael (Sharpie) Sharp hails from Copperas Cove, Texas where he started out as a competitive cheerleader in high school. Sharpie earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Dance from Stephen F. Austin State University where he was on scholarship for cheerleading for two years. After those two years he made SFA history by becoming the first male in history to be part of the nationally ranked SFA pom squad.
Michael entered into the professional dance world as an acro-dancer in Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s been a soloist dancer with the American Solstice Dance company and a dancer and featured silk performer for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. His dancing took him across the world to Tokyo, Japan where he was dance captain and a performer in the show ENCORE at Tokyo Disney Sea. He has also danced in the DFW area with Six Flags Over Texas, the Mary Kay Convention, and performed and choreographed the Miss Texas Pageant. He studied in various studios in New York, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and is now located in Dallas where he serves as a professional dance educator for local dance studios.
Nicole began her formal dance training 13 years ago under Nesha Woodhouse. She earned her B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in Ballet Performance from Brigham Young University in 2012. During her senior year Nicole performed with BYU Theater Ballet, the university’s top ballet touring company.
Upon graduating, Nicole began her professional career as a soloist and choreographer with Kinuko Modern Dance Company. She went on to perform as a demi-soloist with Mountain West Ballet Company in Nutcracker (2013) and Cinderella (2014). After auditioning for Utah Opera, she was selected as a soloist for La Traviata (2014) under the direction of Jose Maria Condemi and also performed in Turandot (2014) under the direction of Renaud Doucet. After moving to Texas, Nicole joined the Texas Ballet Theater School Faculty in Dallas where she teaches Ballet and Tap.
Darrell Cleveland is a professional dancer, choreographer and instructor with twenty years of experience in teaching, ballet, jazz and modern dance forms. He has danced with Top 10 recording artists Toni Braxton and EnVogue before spending eight seasons dancing with Dallas Black Dance Theater. Darrell Cleveland has choreographed and starred in statewide Texas Lottery Commercials as well as community outreach collaborations with local churches and school districts. For the past four years, he has had the pleasure of working with Booker T. Washington High School of Visual and Performing Arts’ Summer Dance Intensive as a lead instructor. In the spring of 2015, Darrell Cleveland graduated from Texas Woman’s University with his Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. His signature style is associated with the fusion of Horton based modern movements, classic/contemporary ballet and jazz with element of urban hip-hop grooves.
imPULSE dance project, founded in 2012 by Anastasia Waters, has a vision to open the mind, eyes, and hearts of the general public to the beauty of Modern Dance. The company’s mission is to create an audience that will desire to see more, and enhance their lives with the Art, that is Modern Dance. By integrating their dance works into untraditional dance environments and spaces imPULSE dance project aims to capture the attention of new dance audiences. imPULSE dance project has had the honor of performing in many Texas dance and art festivals including the 2013 Barefoot Brigade Dance Festival, 2013 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, COLLAGE 2013: Denton Dance Festival, 2014 CDFW Modern Dance Festival at the Modern, and the 2014 Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival. imPULSE dance project also co-hosted the Arts in the Park Dance and Music Festival in Carrollton in the Spring of 2014. imPULSE dance project has produced their own shows including “INSTINCTS” in the Summer of 2014, “Snow” premiered in the Winter of 2014, and “The Four Seasons: RECOMPOSED + more imPULSE dance project works” in the Summer of 2015. You can learn more about the company at www.impulsedanceproject.org.
The Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet (DNCB), a 501c3 non-profit organization, was founded in August 2011, under the direction of Emilie Skinner and Victoria Tran, to collaborate with DFW-based visual artists and musicians in order to create a link between the art communities. DNCB also creates opportunities for experienced professional dancers looking to utilize their classical ballet training and bring exceptional dance to the DFW community.
DNCB seeks to collaborate with DFW-based dancers, artists and musicians in order to bring innovative, well-rounded performances to the community and institute a sound future for classical dance in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas Mr. Hightower has dedicated 25+ years studying and perfecting his crafts as a professional choreographer, dancer and teacher. He attended W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy studying Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Choreography & Classical Voice. He received the Sammy Davis Jr. Award, and the Stevie Ray Vaughn Award.
Mr. Hightower later attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts studying dance and voice. During his 4 years there he worked one on one with Gregory Hines, Vanessa Williams, Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen, Donald McKayle, Louis Montero, Seth Riggs, Reginald Yates, Frank Katoola, and many more respected artists who helped mold him. His choreography & ability to grasp and perform West African dance was recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. He became one of two choreographers chosen in the United States to be named Presidential Scholar in the Arts. His modern work was performed in the prestigious John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC. He was also presented with a Gold Medallion from former President Bill Clinton while shaking his hand.
He then attended California Institute of the Arts studying dance/choreography. While there he began traveling all over the US as a solo artist. Mr. Hightower later choreographed on or danced with such companies as New York Baroque, Dallas Black Dance Theater 1st Company, Beckles Dance Company, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Images Contemporary Dance Company, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. His television credits include American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and various commercials. He also performed in such musicals as The Festival of the Lion King, Applause, Hair, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe.
In 2010 Mr. Hightower was commissioned to set a piece for the premiere of the Georgia O’Keefe Art Exhibit in Washington, DC. He was then recognized as a Nationally Acclaimed Choreographer by the “Phillips Collection” of DC.
Mr. Hightower is currently Assistant Director at Power House of Dance choreographing, teaching and lecturing in and around USA. He continues his journey in the arts because of his love, dedication, and respect for the arts as a professional. And also the joy he feels when teaching and choreographing on those who love performing and understand the joy the stage brings.
“Be a dancer who’s remembered and loved, not just seen and liked.”
quote by Lonnie J. Hightower III
Ashley Rocke is a native of Dallas, Texas and a graduate of the University of North Texas with a major in dance and a minor in anthropology. While there she was the founding President of Chi Tau Epsilon Honor Society for dance. She specializes in dance and drill training for high school and college teams and has directed large performance teams for studios in the Dallas area. Her experiences include being the Appearance Director for the NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancers, overseeing their performance activities outside of the basketball games. Rocke is currently a choreographer for TIGI Haircare, Toni & Guy Hairdressing and EsaLive Event Management. She is a judge for Crowd Pleasers, Inc. and is the founder and Head Coach for the Lion Dance Team at Texas A & M University-Commerce.
Native of Northern California, Melissa Sanderson, is a performer, choreographer, educator, and dance filmmaker. She has performed in a variety a national and international festivals in the U.S.A., Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands, and has had her choreography performed in California and Texas. Her teaching experience also extends to California, Texas, Switzerland, and Bolivia. Melissa was awarded the Excellence in Choreography Scholarship Award: Videodance from Texas Woman’s University for her work that has been presented at international dance film festivals in the U.S.A., Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, and France. Currently, Melissa is Adjunct Professor at Eastfield College and Tarrant County College, company member of Contemporary Ballet Dallas, and co-chair of the Creation and Presentation Network of the World Dance Alliance – Americas. Melissa holds a B.F.A. in Dance from San Diego State University, from which she received the 2014 Alumni to Watch Award, and a M.F.A. in Dance from Texas Woman’s University where she worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Katelyn Harris is a native of Texas and has been studying dance, movement, and choreography for the past 25 years as well as performing and teaching professionally around the world for the past 15 years! She has studied many styles of movement including rhythm tap, classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, swing dance and hatha yoga. Katelyn trained and received her Yoga Teacher Certification through Namah Shivaya International School of Yoga in 2011 and a Massage Therapy License from Parker University in 2012. In addition to her dance education in Dallas she has also trained with Michelle Latimer in Denver, NYC’s Broadway Dance Center and STEPS, as well as Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles.
Katelyn was a principal dancer with Tapestry Dance Company in Austin, TX from 2006-2010. She has toured internationally with Tapestry’s production of “The Souls of Our Feet”, performing tribute dances in the roles of Eleanor Powell and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson . She has been nominated for best dancer by the Austin Critics Table awards for her roles in “The Souls of Our Feet” (2008) and “Ears Wide Open” (2010). Through her work as a student, performer, and teacher, she has been very fortunate to learn from and share the stage with such great masters as Acia Gray, Jeni LeGon, Harold Cromer, Buster Cooper, Brenda Buffalino, Sarah Petronio, Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, Barbara Phillips, Max Pollak, Lisa La Touche, Jay Fagan, Derick Grant, Jason Janas, Matt Shields, and many many more. Katelyn has also worked with Tasha Lawson’s Tri-Tone Productions, a company that fuses body percussion, tap dance, and contemporary movement into unique works of art, debuting pieces at Soul to Sole Tap Festival (2009), Chicago Human Rhythm Project (2011), and the International Body Music Festival (2013) alongside Keith Terry and Bryan Dyer.
Katelyn has been on faculty for ‘Third Coast Rhythm Project’, ‘Rhythm, Body, & Soul Festival’ in Calgary, Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center, and has written on tap dance for The Langdon Review. She has won numerous awards and honors for her innovative contemporary tap choreography on the local and national level. Katelyn was co-founder, artistic and executive director for The Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble from 2008-2014 and is now laying the foundations for a new Dallas-based professional Tap Dance Company and non-profit organization, Rhythmic Souls!
It’s no wonder tap dance is rising in popularity, with new, innovative dance companies like Rhythmic Souls on the scene. This emerging Dallas gem started with two of the city’s top tap dancers struttin´ their stuff on local stages; dancing to everything from Vivaldi to Mile Davis, M.C. Luscious and the Beatles. Now this small company of wicked fierce rhythm tappers is captivating local audiences with their unique blend of style, charisma, innovative choreography, and rapid-fire pace footwork! Whether it’s the classic elegance of Fred Astaire, the athleticism of Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Junior’s pizazz, the magnetism of Gregory Hines, or the heavy hitting beats of Savion Glover, this company strives to bring the spirit of tap dance back to the stage and continue the legacy of an American art form. Rhythmic Souls is on the cutting-edge of dance choreography with cross-genre repertoire that infuses rhythm tap dance with body percussion, sand dancing, contemporary movement, flamenco, swing dance, and anything else that might lend itself to their rhythmic persuasion! Striving to provide the best in high quality entertainment and to touch the minds and hearts of people everywhere, Rhythmic Souls encourages you to embark upon your own creative journey and “Let your soul create its own rhythm.”
Dark Circles Contemporary Dance (DCCD) was founded by Joshua L. Peugh and Cho Hyun Sang and had its first performance in the spring of 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. Since then, the internationally acclaimed company has performed all over Asia, Europe, and North America. Commended for innovative combinations of classical technique and modern movement styles, DCCD explores the depths of human connections within a multicultural framework, taking a cross-cultural approach to the moving body.
The Company’s newest branch – based in North Texas and lead by internationally award-winning choreographer Joshua L. Peugh – bridges the gap between East and West. Hailed as “a rising star in the Dallas dance arena” (DIYdancer.com), DCCD made its American debut in 2013 and was soon after recognized in the top ten of TheaterJones’ “2013 Review: The Year in Dance.” It has been praised as “frequently stunning, and always fascinating” (DFW.com).
Joshua L. Peugh is the Founder and Artistic Director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance. After graduating cum laude from Southern Methodist University, Joshua moved to South Korea to join Universal Ballet Company where he performed soloist and featured roles in the works of Ohad Naharin, Christopher Wheeldon and others. After two-and-a-half years with the company, Joshua left UBC and co-founded his own company, Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, in Seoul. Since then, he has created work for festivals all over Asia, Europe, and North America winning awards for his choreography in Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA. Joshua has been commissioned to create new dance works for BODYTRAFFIC, BalletX, Company E, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Southern Methodist University, and Booker T. Washington HSPVA. He has been chosen as one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2015, and was recently named an “important discovery” by New York Times dance critic Alastair Macaulay for Slump. He has also served as a juror for the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, as Associate Choreographer for Bruce Wood Dance Project, and as a member of the adjudication panel for the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition.
A proud Canadian, Sean trained in Vancouver, most notably under Rachael Poirier of Danzmode Productions and additionally with Goh Ballet Academy, Ballet British Columbia and The Ailey School under the direction of Denise Jefferson. Sean has performed as a guest artist with Bruce Wood Dance Project and currently with Rhythmic Souls Tap Company under Katelyn Harris. Mr. Smith has choreographed unique and comedic works for DBDT and DBDT: Encore!. Sean strives to continue to develop and share his artistry on stage as both a performer and choreographer.
From Belize, Central America, Mr. Thompson is a graduate of Belhaven University (Jackson, Mississippi) where he received his B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. He received additional training from Belize National Dance Company and Dramatic Forces School of Dance. Throughout his youth, he dedicated his time volunteering with different organizations that were purposed for the betterment of the arts and youths of Belize. His previous dance experience includes serving as dancer, choreographer and teacher for Belize National Dance Company and dancing with Talk Dance Company of Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Thompson is an alumnus of the internationally acclaimed Dallas Black Dance Theatre (Aug 2010- May 2014). Before his professional dance experience, he has directed and choreographed four productions for the Rotary Club of Belize, benefiting The Gift of Life Program (2006-2009). His special community interests include working with organizations that work for the development of youth. Mr. Thompson is passionate about education and artistic excellence. Recently, Jamie served as the Executive/ Artistic Director for the International Conservatory of Performing Arts in North Texas. His goal is to continue to establish a potent international organization that serves as a laboratory for the advancement of the arts: education, artistic excellence and commerce.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Founder/Artistic Director, Ann Williams, began Dallas Black Dance Theatre II in September 2000 to feature the best and most promising students of the Dallas Black Dance Academy. Over time, the company has grown in breadth, attracting artists who aspire to professional careers in dance.
This semi-professional company consists of 10 aspiring artists from around the nation. Since its inception, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II has grown in popularity and thrilled audiences with its fresh allure. Dallas Black Dance Theatre II provides an opportunity for young artists to develop their dance skills while serving the Dallas/Ft. Worth community and touring across the nation with dance performances of the highest artistic quality.
In its 13th season performing works by recognized and emerging artists, the dance company performs a diversified repertoire of modern, jazz, African, lyrical and spiritual works. The second company has performed works by emerging and internationally recognized choreographers including Christopher Huggins, Chantel Marrow Adams, Edmond Giles, Nycole Ray, Richard A. Freeman Jr., Tyrone C. Walker, Bruce Woods and others.
Kali attended Kilgore College where she was a Kilgore College Rangerette and Swingster for two years. As a Rangerette, she performed in Washington D.C. for the inaugural celebration for President George W. Bush and for Carnival Cruise Lines. After graduation from Kilgore College, Kali earned her dance degree from Texas Woman’s University, and performed locally with CholoRock Dance Company.
For the past nine years, Kali has traveled across the United States teaching summer dance/drill team camps and judging regional and national competitions with MA Dance and StageOne National Dance Competitions. She travels annually to New York to rehearse and direct dancers for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade produced by Spirit of America.
Kali was the Head Choreographer for the half-time performance for the Capital One Bowl games in Orlando, Florida, working with Grammy nominated country singers Dierks Bentley and Hunter Hayes. She is currently the Head Choreographer for the AT&T Cotton Bowl pre-game performances. The National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars, the Frisco Texas Legends, and the American Hockey League have all benefited from her talents as a choreographer for their dance teams.
Jill S. Rucci is the founder and Artistic Director of 8&1 Dance Company. She is proud to call Texas her new home! Relocated here from NYC, she was a principal dancer and guest choreographer for Vissi Dance Theater for over 10 years. Jill has trained, taught, performed and presented her choreography in many cities including Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York. Ms. Rucci enjoys producing and directing shows, and continues to concentrate on her works in progress, her new endeavor the dance drama, “Exchange Street”.
Jill received her dance degree from Dean College in Franklin, MA, where she studied all forms of dance, musical theater, dance education, and voice. While in NY, Jill also performed with the New Jersey Squires, Bare Bones Dance Co., and was a principal West African-stylized dancer with Magna BA Drum and Dance Co. Jill studied at Alvin Ailey and, while attending two of their intensive dance programs, earned certifications in modern and contemporary. Ms. Rucci danced with Contemporary Ballet Dallas for their 2010 and 2011 seasons and also guest choreographed for CBD’s “Wild and Free” and “Sidewalk Stories” concerts. Ms. Rucci is a busy guest artist and choreographer throughout the DFW area. She is very excited about a third season of new opportunities for her rapidly growing dance company 8&1.
Tyler Patterson has a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of North Texas. His main fields of study are in Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary with experience also in Jazz, Tap, and some forms of Cultural Folk. Tyler has worked with The Fort Worth Opera as a featured dancer in their world premier of Before Night Falls and with the Dallas Opera as a featured dancer in Don Giovanni. He has also worked for Five Star Entertainment Company, Texas Dance Theatre, and The Turtle Creek Men’s Chorale. Presently, Tyler is working on a collection of solos featuring live musician’s modern renditions of classic country songs. He is looking forward to his fast approaching move to NYC in June where he hopes to further his choreographic work as well as join on with a professional dance company.
Giovanni Allen is originally from New York City where he received his early training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theater. He did his undergraduate work at California Institute for the Arts in LA. In 2008, he was invited to choreograph at the Barcelona International Course of Dance in Spain as well as the Greece Dance Festival. He has worked with artists such as; Rodolfo Castellanos, Jean Emile, Juan Borona and Roger Jeffrey. After Spain, he was chosen to represent Cal Arts at the American College Dance festival in 2009. That same year he was cast in the Broadway holiday show ‘Radio City Christmas spectacular’. In the summer of 2010, he made Texas home where he has been teaching modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and ballet and choreographing for numerous studios in the metroplex.
Simple Sparrow is a modern based dance company that provides dancers in the Denton/DFW area an opportunity to perform and present new works.
Simple Sparrow seeks to make modern dance accessible for all audiences by merging the performance intent of postmodernism with the athleticism and solid technique of its classically trained dancers. Demonstrating the versatility of modern dance from organic, introspective movements to soaring leaps while constantly projecting the sheer joy of dance, we hope to create shows that will provide something for every audience member to enjoy.
Dancer is Lea Essmyer and the photographer is Ken Smith
Founded in 2000 by SMU dance alumni, is a local professional dance company performing a diverse repertoire of modern, ballet, and jazz influenced works to inspire the North Texas community.
Our progressive, diverse style combines ballet with modern movement and music to bring dance to audiences like they’ve never seen it before. CBD is distinct from other dance companies in this respect – specifically combining jazz, ballet, modern & tap to create a contemporary style. Utilizing professional dancers and recent college graduates with dance majors, concerts are billed for the everyday man as well as dance enthusiasts interested in a full spectrum of dance styles. High-energy performances promise a great variety of all types of music, including music by current popular groups. CBD has received favorable reviews from dance critics throughout the area and is steadily becoming recognized throughout the local dance scene.
Since founding, CBD has consistently produced full concert seasons, premiered over 50 original works, afforded opportunities to over 25 local, emerging choreographers to set works (providing dancers, rehearsal space, costumes, lights and a concert to premiere their works at no cost to them); commissioned 8 new works from respected and renowned choreographers; and participated in a number of area art and dance festivals.
Artistic Director: L. Brooke Schlecte
Artistic Vision:
Out On a Limb Dance Company queries and challenges conceptual and technical ideas about dance-making. To this end, the dance company is a model of collaborating artists who work together to develop original, emerging dance languages that explore ideas about the nature of human experience.
The Richland College Dance Department welcomes the Big Rig Dance Collective.
The Big Rig Dance Collective was created to connect dance communities and promote dance as an art form in Texas. To make these connections possible, the company provides an online social network for artists to share their ideas, opportunities, and resources. BRDC’s long-term vision is to create a space in DFW where dance can happen. This includes: accessible performances, community classes, and collaborative events.
The company has performed throughout Texas for such events as Dance Carousel, Dancing to Restore the Gulf Benefit Concert, Barefoot Brigade, Big Range Dance Festival, 10 Minutes Max Dance Showcase, and Venturing Out: Far and Wi(l)de. Currently, they host a monthly performance series and dance discussion series in Denton, TX and are teaching, choreographing, and performing for residencies across Texas. The company is directed by Whitney Boomer, Crysta Caulkins-Clouse, Amanda Jackson, and Lily Sloan.
The Richland College Dance Department welcomes Sung-Hun Lim.
Sung-Hun Lim earned her B.A. in Dance from Sung Kyung Kwan University in South Korea, B. D from Fontys Dance Academy in the Netherlands and she finished the M.F.A. degree in Dance at Texas Woman’s University. She has created and performed more than 40 works for the stage in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Before coming to the United States, she was a member of R.A.Z Dance Company from 2004-2005 in Netherlands, Teck Voon Ng Dance Company from 2003-2004 in the Netherlands, and Mind the Gap Dance Company in 2004 in Germany. Sung has also danced in various works by choreographers such as Keren Levi, Paul Estrabrook, Uri Ivgi, Jean King, Thierry Smits, Anne-Marie Porras, Fabrizio Monteverde, and Carmen Orta.