FUSION Performing Dance Academy is a dream that I am making a reality. I grew up watching re-runs of the TV show FAME. Running around my living room and leaping off of the furniture. Coming from a low income up-ringing my family could not afford to send me to dance classes. I didn’t start dancing until I was a senior in High School. After graduation I enrolled in the Theatre Dance Program at Northern Illinois University where I was able to realize a dream of becoming a dancer. After three semesters I was scouted by a professional dance company and my dance career began. After moving to Los Angeles, I stopped training due to my finances. I wanted to continue training but couldn’t due to lack of funds. Classes are expensive and it keeps a lot of kids, adults and professionals from getting formal training. I want to give to the community by building a program for inner-city kids with dreams of taking their first dance class. I want to provide affordable classes for professionals to continue to excel in their art. Offering classes for adults to learn movement, social dances and enjoy a fitness workout. I want to create a home for dance enthusiast, beginners and professionals.

I want to create a community that is comprised of a broad-based ethnic and social mix of individuals who share a love of dance and theatre working together toward common goals. There is so much talent out there that goes wasted. I want to educate and promote the art of dance. I want to nurture future dancers. FPDA will promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of usefulness, belonging and positive influence. It will give kids a place to go to after school and a place to meet new friends.

The instructors will have knowledge and experience as dancers and/or choreographers. I will invite only the best to teach in the school. Each class geared to the appropriate level and age group. With my dance company in residency at the school, I will have positive role models for the kids. A goal to become a company member is something that can be an incentive to push the students to strive harder for excellence. I know that when I was in the company scholarship program at a dance school, I felt that extra push and energy each time I watched the company rehearse. I wanted to be one of them and I wanted to achieve their status. I just want to help make someone’s dream of becoming a dancer, a reality.