ALUMNI
Class of 2020
KAYLA KEMP
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at Marymount Manhattan in New York City.
Class of 2020
KELSI FEARS
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Class of 2020
TYCOREY HOOKER
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance from University of the Arts in Philidedplhia, PA.
Class of 2020
PILI MALAWA
Currently pursuing a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University in New York City.
Class of 2019
CHARIZMA LAWRENCE
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at the University of Southern California. Attended DMA for 7 years.
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Class of 2019
CAMILLE PHELPS
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at the State University fo New York (Purchase College of Dance). Attended DMA for 9 years.
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@coolcatmil
Class of 2019
SYDNEY WORTHY
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at the Marymount Manhattan College. Attended DMA for 5 years.
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@goldengirlsyd
Class of 2018
IMANI SPANN
Currently pursuing a career as a professional dancer. Attended DMA for 12 years.
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@itsmanibabie
Class of 2017
SHAQUELLE CHARLES
Currently pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance at Marymount University. Attended DMA for 1 year.
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@shinizye
Class of 2016
ZENIA MASON
Currently working as a professional dancer around the United States.​
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@zannyban
Class of 2016
FAITH ROCKWARD
Graduate of BFA in Dance at Point Park University. Attended DMA for 8 years.
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@rockward1
Class of 2015
NIEYA AMEZQUITA
Graduate of BFA in Dance & BS in Psychology at the University of Georgia. Attended DMA for 5 years.
@ni_amez
Class of 2015
JAZMINE FREEMAN
Graduate of BFA in Dance from Spelman College. Attended DMA for 3 years.
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@jazminerachel
Class of 2015
ZOE HOLLINSHEAD
Graduate with a BFA in Dance from The Julliard School. Currently Attended DMA for 8 years.
@heyzo_
Class of 2015
TAKIA HOPSON
Graduate of BFA in Dance and BA in Journalism from Southern Methodist University. Attended DMA for 14 years.
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@tikihops
Class of 2015
BRIANNE SELLARS
Graduate of BFA in Dance from Point Park University. Attended DMA for 14 years.
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@briannesellars
Class of 2015
DANIELLE SWATZIE
Graduate of BFA in Dance at University of the Arts. Attended DMA for 8 years.
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@daniswatziee
Class of 2014
CHANEL HOWARD
Chanel Howard is originally from Georgia where she began her dance training under the direction of Lynise and Denise Heard at Dance Makers of Atlanta. In 2014 she participated in National High School Dance Festival and received the exemplary young choreographer award. Shortly after, she moved to Pennsylvania to study dance at The University of The Arts as a Suzan B. Glazer full scholarship recipient. In May 2018, Chanel graduated from UArts with a BFA in Dance. During her time at UArts, she participated as a dance ambassador at the Montpellier Danse Festival and performed at the National College Dance Festival in 2015, placing 1st runner up. She has worked with various choreographers including Mark Haim, Helen Simoneau, Mark Caserta, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Wayne St. David, Netta Yerushalmy and Bobbi Jene Smith. Chanel has performed works by Robert Battle, Troy Powell, and Benoit Swan Pouffer. In Fall 2017 Chanel made her independent artist debut at The Center for Performance Research in Brooklyn and in Winter 2018 she participated in Ballet Preljocaj Professional Training Program in Aix En Provence, France. Chanel is now moving into her professional dance career and has recently become a company member with Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company.
@chanel_hn
Class of 2014
JAITLYN SHERROD
Jaitlyn Trinai sherrod is a native of Atlanta, Georgia raised in Fairburn, Georgia. At the Age of four she began training at Dazz with Jazz dance studio later on ending up at Dancemakers of Atlanta under the direction of Denise and Lynise Heard. After graduating high school Ms. Sherrod was accepted into the BFA dance program at the Alabama State University, where she became a huge asset being the soloist of “First steps inaugural” in her freshman year of 2014. While at ASU Jaitlyn became a member of Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity Incorporated as well as Beta Phi Alpha Dance Honor Society. Jaitlyn graduated with a bachelors in fine arts for dance on May 12th, 2018. Soon after graduation Ms. Sherrod up and routed her life to New York City, where she now serves as Community Ambassador for Elisa Monte Dance Company under the direction of Mrs. Tiffany Rea-Fisher.
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@jaitlyntrinai
Class of 2012
VINSON FRALEY
Vinson Fraley is a multidisciplinary artist who hails from Atlanta, Georgia. He attended DeKalb School of the Arts with a focus in vocal music and drama, and began his formal dance training at 14. He received his BFA in dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2015. He has performed in works by Merce Cunningham, Cora Bos-Kroese, Carrie Mae Weems, Stephen Galloway, Kate Skarpetowska, Sean Curran, Cindy Salgado, and Roderick George. He previously danced with Kyle Abraham’s A.I.M. Vinson joined Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in 2017.
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@heyvinson
Class of 2011
WENDELL GRAY II
Wendell Gray II is a dance artist and choreographer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. He has performed for and collaborated with artists such as Jonah Bokaer, Christal Brown, Christopher Roman, Esther Baker- Tarpaga, J Bouey, Janeill Cooper, and Phoebe Berglund. He is currently working with Pavel Zustiak | Palissimo Company. He is the recipient of the 2015 Pennsylvania Ballet Choreography Award. He has shown his own work at Movement Research at Judson Church, Center for Performance Research, La Mama Galleria, Capezio ACE Awards, and Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. He has also set work on Pennsylvania Ballet II, Philadanco II, and Periapsis Music and Dance. Wendell is a BFA graduate of the University of the Arts (15’) under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Raised in Atlanta, GA, he received his early training at DanceMakers of Atlanta under Lynise Heard and Denise Latimer.
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@thatguywen
Class of 2011
UMAARA ELLIOT
Currently working as a professional dancer in Los Angeles, CA.​
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@umaaraiynaas
Class of 2011
MORGAN GRAYNED
Morgan Marie is a Dance Makers of Atlanta class of 2011 alumna, originally from Stone Mountain, GA. She attended DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts and matriculated to DeKalb School of the Arts for high school. There she was a member of the Drama Ensemble while majoring in dance. Upon graduating from Chamblee Charter High School, she moved to Hampton, VA to attend Hampton University where she completed Business School. While at HU, Morgan became a member of the Terpsichorean Dance Company and the Captain of Ebony Fire Marching Band Dance Team. Morgan graduated from Hampton University in 2015 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She was offered a full-time position at Nielsen Market Research Company in New York City. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY and works as Research Analyst for BET Networks. In 2018, Morgan decided to pursue her professional dance career again and was signed to Bloc Talent Agency in May 2018. She is excited for the numerous upcoming opportunities in the entertainment world. Morgan will reside in Los Angeles, California where she hopes to fully pursue professional acting and commercial dance. She is forever grateful for the training Dance Makers of Atlanta provided and her exposure to the professional dance industry.
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@morgangmarie
Class of 2011
GEORGE LAWRENCE III
George Lawrence II was born in San Diego, CA and raised in Atlanta, GA. George acquired his love for dance at age 11 and was adamant about perfecting his attraction to the art. The same year he enrolled in Price Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in College Park, GA where he studied lyrical, tap, jazz, modern, ballet, hip-hop and acrobatics. In 2010, George decided to further his technique at Dance Makers of Atlanta in Decatur, GA and in the summer of 2010 he was selected to attend the coveted Juilliard School. In 2011-12 George studied Dance at the State University New York Conservatory of Dance. After the completion of his freshman year, George auditioned for the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance” and went on to be a Top 10 finalist and traveled on their 30-city tour. Once the tour ended, George, at the young age of 19, moved to Los Angeles to make a living for himself by doing what he loves to do. He gives back to dance every weekend by traveling as an assistant with the New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) and travels the country as a sought-after choreographer, performer and instructor.
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@dance9george
Class of 2010
TERESA JADE WILSON
Teresa Jade Wilson is a graduate from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a BFA in Dance Education (Modern). Throughout her journey at The University of the Arts, she was invited to perform with Philadelphia’s West African Dance Company, Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble, by Emmy Award nominated choreographer Jeffrey Page, and has performed works created by Pearl Primus (restaged by Kim Bears-Bailey). In the years, Teresa has assisted with the production of ‪‪Jazmine Sullivan‬‬’s London Performance, performed in Debbie Allen’s Brothers of the Knight, Sir Rosevelt, Step Up:High Water, HBO’s series Brooklyn, and the Triumph Awards. Teresa recently finished touring internationally with recording artist Keith Sweat as the dance captain. She is currently performing on Norwegian Cruise Line as a dancer and singer in the Broadway show After Midnight.
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@teresajade1
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Class of 2007
AMBER JACKSON
Amber Jackson, a native of Atlanta GA, found her love for the arts at an early age and began her training for the professional world at Ballethnic Academy of Dance, DeKalb School of Arts, and the award-winning Dancemakers of Atlanta. She furthered her training at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet in San Francisco, Ca. During her senior year, she booked her first professional tv job on “So You Think You Can Dance” - the start of her professional career. Amber's TV credits include “Nashville”, “The Talk”, “The Late Late Show with James Corden”, and the “Video Music Awards”. Her Broadway career began at “Wicked on Broadway” and later she joined the company of “Hamilton: An American Musical” which she is currently performing with in Chicago, IL.
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@ambertiara
Class of 2007
TERRANCE MARTIN
Terrance Martin was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He started dancing at the age of 15 years old and got his dance training from DeKalb Schoold of the Arts and DanceMakers of Atlanta. After graduating from high school in 2007, Terrance went on to receive a B.F.A in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Since leaving school, Terrance has continued to perform and also hold the position of Rehearsal Director at DanceMakers of Atlanta. Some of his credits include ZORRO the International China Tour; Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID (Sebastian), MY FAIR LADY (Harry), MAMA MIA (Eddie), FOOTLOOSE (Travis), WONDERFUL LIFE (Bob Hepner), WEST SIDE STORY (Pepe) Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST(Baker), IN THE HEIGHTS, and many more. Terrance has as performed ballets choreographed by: Ronald K. Borwn, Camille Brown, Earl Mosley, Louise Johnson, Ronen Koresh, Cindy Saigado, Zane Booker, Brian Sanders, Wayne St.David, Donald Lunsford, Pamela Jones- Malave & Molly Misgalla. Terrance is also a proud Actors Equity Association Member (AEA).
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terrancemartin1.com
@terrance_martin
Class of 2007
JAMAL WHITE
Jamal White (Birmingham, AL) was raised in Atlanta, GA and began his training at Dance Makers of Atlanta under the direction of Denise and Lynise Heard. He studied as a scholarship student at Virginia School of the Arts and trained in intensive programs at Kirov Academy of Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and London Contemporary Dance School. In 2011, Mr. White received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University, since he has performed works by Nicolo Fonte, George Balanchine, Dwight Rhoden, Alvin Ailey, Stijn Celis, Richard Siegal, and Hofesh Shechter. He has also performed in Rasta Thomas' Rock the Ballet, Missouri Ballet Theater, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Alvin Ailey II and BODYTRAFFIC. Jamal has also taught and created for many arts exchange and outreach programs in the United States and abroad such as Southern Methodist University, London Contemporary Dance School, BODYTRAFFIC, The Ailey School and more. Moreover, Jamal has had the pleasure of creating a new work for Company D; A Memphis based contemporary dance company for adults with down syndrome.
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@jamalk_white
Class of 2007
SHONICA GOODEN
Shonica Gooden was a part of the first graduating class of DanceMakers of Atlanta. She is also an alumni of Dekalb School of the Arts (Class of 2007). She trained on a collegiate level at Point Park University where she earned a BFA degree in dance. Memphis (Felicia; Cape Fear Regional Theatre), Sister Act (Deloris; Musical Theatre Wichita), CATS (Broadway Revival; Rumpleteazer), Hamilton: An American Musical (Broadway), American Dance Machine (Sweet Georgia Brown), National Tour of Matilda The Musical, Piece of My Heart, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway), Bring It On: The Musical (Broadway and National Tour). TV: Manifest (CBS) and “Fossé Verdon (FX). Film: Ted 2 and The First Purge. Jeremiah 29:11
shonicagooden.com
@shonica