Student of the Month

Kelsey is our

Student of the Month for January 2024!

 

She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond.

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What is your favorite style of Dance?

Tap

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Why do you love to Dance?

I like dance because I like the moves that my teacher's tell me to do.

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Who is someone that you look up to in Dance?

Ms. Michia (HDAT Faculty Member)

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Kelsey is such a joy to have in class! She has such an exuberant personality, and has excellent balance between focus and fun. In the past year, she has blossomed from being a shy beginner to a confident leader in her class. I am so excited for her to be celebrated for her progress, and to watch her continued growth here at HDAT!

 

~Indira Cunningham~

Mackenzie is our

Student of the Month for November/December!

 

She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond.

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What is your favorite style of Dance?

Tap

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Why do you love to Dance?

It allows me to express myself.

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Who is your favorite dancer?

Heaven Robinson (Level 3 student at HDAT)

Heaven Robinson is our

Student of the Month for October!

 

She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond.

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What motivates you as a dancer?

Knowing that I can express myself through dance.

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What style of dance are your favorite?

The Lester Horton Technique

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How do you show leadership through dance?

Arriving to class on on time to prepare and asking questions to better understand the technique and choreography.

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Congratulations Heaven, May this accomplishment continue to raise your spirit, carrying your dream of dance forward! We are so proud of your dedication and determination and commitment! Dance on!

 

~Leslie Anderson-Braswell, Ballet Master~

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Heaven has grown so much over the years. She always brings a smile into the space, takes on leadership roles, and shows great dedication to everything she does. Heaven is a great addition to the HDAT family and the company Ju.B.Lation Spirit Filled Feet

 

~Eric A. Smith, Creative Discipline~

Anajah Gavins is our Student of the Month for September!

 

She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond.

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Why do you dance?

I dance because it helps me express my emotions and helps me feels more free to express like whatever I’m feeling at that moment.

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What styles of dance are your favorite?

Hip-hop and contemporary

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What do you think it means to be the Student of the Month?

I think it means to be a leader, come on time or 15 minutes early stretch, and be observant of what’s going on. Do what the teacher tells you to do and be in the dress code. You should show up like a dancer and ask questions if you don’t understand and go over dances; go for parts that you don’t know and don’t understand.

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Anajah Gavins enrolled in HDAT, while a student at Miller African-Centered Academy. Anajah was one of 15 students who received a full scholarship, funded by McAuley Ministries, to study dance. I remember that she asked a lot of questions. Anajah enjoys dancing and she is committed to working hard in the studio. I have watched her grow and work hard as a member of HDAT’s pre-professional company, Ju.B.Lation Spirit Filled Feet. Anajah is always asking to help to do things. At the recent Sista Hood Event, I saw how willing she was to help Creative Movement students. I admire her genuine spirit of service. When others are asked to do something and they do not do what is asked, Anajah will quietly move in and do what others don’t do. She is a quiet leader who provides support and care for others in ways that are often not noticed. I love the way she looks out for Aniyah when she is in the studios. When we say it is bigger than dance, I see Anajah demonstrating that in her commitment to the art of dance and service within HDAT.

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~Dr. Veronica Morgan-Lee~

Dru Green is our Student of the Month for Feburary! She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond. Dru’s favorite dance style is hip-hop, she loves to twirl during freestyle dance, and when Dru dances, it makes her very happy.

 

Here’s what our community has to say about Dru:

 

“Dru is such a joy to have in class! She displays great focus and retention and is a great leader for her peers. She was quiet at first, but over the course of this year, she has really come out of her shell. She is a bright talent!!”-

Ms. Indira Cunningham

HDAT Teaching Artist
 

“Dru has such an amazing dance spirit in her, and I’m so happy to be able to witness it grow through each class! She has come out of her shell and shown her peers and teachers just how creative and talented she is, I cannot wait to see what dance has in store for her in the future.”

Michia Carmack

HDAT Associate Artistic Director

Nadia Platt is our Student of the Month for January! She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond. Nadia’s favorite dance styles are Contemporary, Jazz and Ballet, she attends Hill Dance Academy Theatre because “my older sister used to dance with HDAT -when I was a little girl I used to dance all around mimicking her dance-When I was old enough to join HDAT, it was an instant connection”. Nadia likes HDAT because “the teachers are always there to help you. When you are frustrated with a new dance routine they give you a chance to sit and think about how you can do better.” In the future Nadia wants “ to continue to grow in dance by being an upper lever dancer at HDAT and attending CAPA.” Nadia also wants to teach dance when she is older. Here’s what our community has to say:

 

“Congratualtions Nadia! Nadia deserves this because she always is the leader of our warmups and gets us to stop acting silly” -Jocelyn Stevens, Level 2 Dancer

 

“Her technique has improved immensely within the last year-she always takes every opportunity to improve and try again.” -Darren Woodard, Level 4 Dancer

 

 Congratulations Nadia!! Keep being an inspiration to us all!!!

Nai’Ree Hunter is our Student of the Month for October! She has upheld HDAT’s mission and values, and HDAT wants to celebrate students who go above and beyond. Nai’ree’s favorite dance style is ballet, she likes Hill Dance Academy Theatre because “you don’t need to fake being someone you’re not, everyone (here) is caring and inviting” and her biggest dance goal is “-to become an inspiration and make other feel joyful whenthey see me dance”. Here is what our community has to say about Nai’Ree:

 

“Nai’Ree is an awesome young lady. During our car rides home she is always very pleasant. She and Nadia(level 2 dancer) often talk about the dance classes they had during the evening. She willingly shares tips/advice on being an upper level dancer with Nadia. She is alo pretty funny. You can see her dedication and passion for dance based on our car conversations. She is definitely an asses, in the studio and out, to the HDAT dance Family!”-Alesha Platt, HDAT level 2 dance parent

 

“Nairee Hunter is the kind of student every teacher desires in class. She takes full accountability for her own growth as a dancer and has a heart to share. She comes into every class with a passion to contribute her fullest potential; inspiring everyone around her. Nairee has a bright future ahead of her.” -Kaylin Horgan, CAPA Faculty

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Congrats Nai’Ree! Keep being an inspiration to us all!!