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We caught up with Level 3 student Heaven Robinson as she arrived for class and played 20 Questions with her. Find out why she dances and what drives her to excellence.

The current physical location of 2900 Bedford Avenue has been present in the Hill District community since 1907 when it was established as St. Richard’s Catholic church serving Black Catholics in the Hill. Down through the ages, the corner of Bedford and Wandless has housed St. Richard School on the second floor to the conversion of the entire building to what became St. Benedict the Moor School until 2010. At that time the complex that formerly was the housing for the parish rectory, convent, and school became St. Benedict the Moor Community Centre. The multi-use of the buildings from 2010 through 2021 included services to Pittsburgh's new residents from African, Caribbean, and European countries that were served by Acculturation for Justice, Access & Peace Outreach (AJAPO), Hill Dance Academy Theatre(HDAT), and others. Throughout the years the names on the buildings changed but the rich history of community, education and service to the Hill community remained a part of the legacy started in 1907. In July 2021, Hill Dance Academy Theatre(HDAT) purchased the Community Centre. Today, 2900 Bedford Avenue is a rejuvenated educational facility serving Black and Brown children and preparing them for careers in dance. HDAT’s ownership of the 29,000 square foot facility is the forever Home for Black Dance and home to four local entrepreneurs who occupy lease space (Edo Scribes, CREW Productions LLC, Folk Quilts LLC, and Breezy Element). The presence of the buildings constructed in 1907 to serve the spiritual and educational needs of the Black community in the Hill continues today. The cultural and historical legacy of over 116 years of service to the Hill continues with HDAT’s expanded services through the arts, economic opportunities to artists for space and place to create and produce their art works, and an event center to that is open to the community for special occasion parties, home going ceremonies, and community event needs. HDAT is committed to continuing to be a Beacon of Light in the Hill community through service, sharing of resources and expanding opportunities that build on the rich cultural, historical, and educational foundations established by so many throughout the years that served the community at 2900 Bedford Avenue.

Dance is such a niche art form; it requires theatrics, mental dexterity, technical prowess, and athleticism. With all of these qualities, we must remember to nurture each one. Today we will focus on how to nurture our athleticism. The athletic capabilities of dance are no joke; moving and forming in ways the body does not naturally do, so it is important to take care of the body being that we only get one. Proper rest and stretching can help with recovery and energy, but what you eat is just as important. Below are some tips and information to help you make the best choices for yourself: Food is Fuel: Without proper amounts of fuel, you will not have enough energy to perform at your best. Make sure you are eating before class and rehearsals so that you can present your best work. Eat until you are Satisfied: Listen to your body when you eat, don’t force yourself to eat more or less. Our bodies are so amazing in the fact that they send signals to our stomachs to let us know when we are hungry and full. If you know you will be hungry right before class, make sure to pack something to snack on in the car or the lobby before class. Eat after class to regain strength and recover from exercise. Drink Water: Our body is made of about 60% water, so it’s important to replenish and hydrate yourself! Younger dancers who might dance as much should drink around ½ an ounce of water per pound of body weight, while older dancers who dance multiple times throughout the week should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight or more. Remember your body won’t tell you it’s thirsty until you’re dehydrated, so make sure you drink water during breaks, before and after class. There are 3 main macronutrients to know about: Carbs, Protein, and Fat. Carbs are your best source of energy. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, and nuts should be a large percentage of your consumption. Protein helps build muscle and can be found in animal and plant-based foods. Eating protein after a class, rehearsal or show will help with recovery. Fat is essential in our diet and should not be left out. Fat offers us satisfaction and keeps us full throughout the day. Balance your Diet: Don’t limit or restrict yourself so much when it comes to food, it’s meant to be enjoyed! Placing so many restrictions on yourself can create an unhealthy relationship with food; if you find yourself having trouble, find a local Dietitian Nutritionist to help you optimize your meal plans. I hope this information was helpful to you! Remember Health is Wealth, share this with a dancer or a friend!

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Dr. Sherlyn Harrison Dr. Sherlyn E. Harrison is an early childhood administrator with the Pittsburgh Public School district and a champion for young children. Currently, she oversees a high-quality early learning program for children ages birth to three. Preparing their youngest learners for school success while supporting families is the work that Dr. Harrison and her staff are dedicated to daily. ​ Dr. Harrison's work experiences happily marry education and psychology with an emphasis on the healthy functioning of the African American family. She is a mother, mentor, advocate, and educator. Centering race while elevating issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are primary to the work that she has been passionate about for over 25 years. ​ In the spring of 2021, Dr. Harrison earned the degree of Doctor of Education in Leadership & Administration from Point Park University. Her research focuses on promoting positive racial identity in young African American children, specifically exploring how parents' effective racial socialization practices can be integrated into early childhood. ​ Dr. Harrison aspires to contribute to the early childhood community by developing and supporting programs different from what she experienced as a young child, that is programs that authentically value the diversity of children and families and actively disrupt systemic racism and discrimination. Guiding parents and educators in their effort to instill positive racial identity in young African American children is pivotal to achieving this end.

Barbara Johnson Some of Barbara’s favorite joys are sewing, selfies with her two grown sons, chocolate, endless laughter on road trips with her husband, animated time with her four brothers, writing and the grace of her parents living their best lives over age 90. She works for the Education Department at Carlow University with a grant funded project to increase the diversity of certified teachers. She is quite proud of her past roles as a racial justice educator in the nonprofit world and a diversity and inclusion professional in the higher education community. Her creative spirit led her to a BA in Performing Arts/Dance, a full tuition benefit led her to an MEd in Educational Leadership and a desire to write keeps her on the path toward completing the final manuscript of essays on race/racism for her MFA in Non-Fiction Creative Writing. She is passionate about serving as a board member to two local non profits, Hill Dance Academy Theater (HDAT) and the Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education (ARYSE).

Get involved in your child’s dance education by signing up for a Parent Teacher Conference at Hill Dance Academy Theatre. Learn about your dancer's progress and development during the 2023-2024 spring semester. Choose a convenient day and time from the available selections and stay informed about your child's growth as a dancer.