Artist Development That Impacts The World
Image: DDT Artist Daniel Artis, worked as a PT UPS driver after high school. Now through DDT Daniel is a professional dancer. In this image, he is at the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference 2020 Philadelphia after performing at the Kimmel PAC – performing on the same stage with companies such as Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and others.
Many programs (community and arts alike) provide programs for youth 17 and under. Our research demonstrates that many young adult dancers, don’t feel ready to confidently go after their arts dreams – especially after the setback of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young adults matter, and Ngoma Center for Dance (Ngoma) is making an impact. For more than 10 years Ngoma, through The Ngoma School and Dissonance Dance Theatre, has made the professional dreams of dancers possible. Mentorship, housing and moving transition assistance, and dance medicine best practices Ngoma Center is leading the charge of supporting our communities and fulfilling our vision of a more inclusive dance world. See more on our impact here.
Performing Across The World
Ngoma Center for Dance has developed dancers, that have performed with:
Philadanco, Complexions, DV8 (UK), Phoenix Dance Theatre (UK), Deeply Rooted, Adeium, Virginia Ballet Theatre, Illstyle & Peace, UniverSoul Circus, Garth Fagan, Carolyn Dorfmandance, national and international tours.
Alumni Spotlight
Olivia Crosby
Professional Actress (Netflix’s Kobra Kai, and BET+’s All The Queen’s Men), and former DDT Dancer Olivia Crosby speaks about how DDT allowed her to grow as a Black female dancer artist in the DMV area.
This excerpt is from the feature documentary Company D (2023)
Sean Burns
Dolly National Tour (2019) “Barnaby”, and former DDT Dancer Sean Burns speaks to how DDT aided his dream of becoming a professional musical theatre artist.
This excerpt is from the feature documentary Company D (2023)
Kevin McEwen
Former KanKouran Dancer (10+ years) and now Kafago Founding Director Kevin McEwen (in NYC) speaks about how DDT’s Founding Director Shawn Short aided his vision of having a dance company speaking to Black stories.
This excerpt is from the feature documentary Company D (2023)
Caitlin Granville
Professional Ballerina (Virginia Ballet Theatre (10+ years), and former DDT Soloist Caitlin Granville, speaks to how she developed sound artistic skills under DDT’s Founding Director/Principal Choreographer Shawn Short.
This excerpt is from the feature documentary Company D (2023)