Summer Teaching Guest 

Karen Brown spent 22 years traveling around the world as a principal ballerina, featured artist, master teacher and lecturer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) under the direction of legendary founder, Arthur Mitchell. From the inception of DTH’s Kennedy Center Community Outreach Residency in Washington, D.C., she was a master teacher and adjudicator for the groundbreaking and innovative community-focused program. Ms. Brown’s immediate transition from active performer with DTH was to the Director of Education at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education (ABCDE). Her background as a master teacher includes teaching classes and workshops at colleges, universities and dance schools throughout Eastern and Western Europe, North and Central America, the Pacific Rim, Egypt, and South Africa. Ms. Brown has been certified as an ABT® Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 7. She is certified in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of the Vaganova Syllabus with John White in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She is also certified in Reinforced Motor Function for Ballet Application (RMF) founded by Sean McLeod and has recently founded the En Pointe Plus Dance Mastery Institute (EPP), a division of Karenina, Inc. (founded in 1997) offering coaching sessions for dancers utilizing new computerized motion analysis technology and accelerated learning techniques. Prior to joining the University of the Arts (UARTS) in Philadelphia as Assistant Professor of Dance (2007 – 2013), Brown served for six years as Artistic Director of Oakland Ballet Company in California (2000 – 2006). Throughout her career, Ms. Brown has received numerous awards, including the 2018 New York Institute of Dance and Education Harriet Tubman Award. In 2010, she earned the New York Dance and Performance Award; “The Bessie” Award for Sustained Achievement in Performance” as a company member with Paradigm, Dance Legends in Concert (NYC). She has been an Executive Director for Garth Fagan Dance in Rochester, New York and a Guest Artistic Director of Ballet Wichita in Wichita, Kansas where she and black choreographer Sean McLeod set a new Nutcracker Ballet on the company. In celebration of Juneteenth 2020, Ms. Brown opened the Karen Brown Coaching Studio dedicated to renowned ballet dancer, close friend, former dance colleague and benefactor, the late Mel A. Tomlinson and the studio also honors the legacy of the late DTH founder Arthur Mitchell. In fall 2020, she was hired as a new Assistant Professor of Ballet at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory.

Mrs. Gilreath is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She began her career by moving to Atlanta and joining the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre. She later joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem, touring nationally and internationally. In 1988, Ms. Gilreath returned to Atlanta to dance with the Atlanta Ballet. Finally, on January 15, 1990, along with husband and choreographer Waverly T. Lucas, II they created Ballethnic Dance Company. She has implemented numerous outreach programs including the BUDDY Project through the Atlanta Project, which served as a model for the existing Danseur Development Project. Ms. Gilreath currently serves as co-founder and co-artistic director of Ballethnic Dance Company and Ballethnic Academy of Dance. She continues her original role as a dance artist and mentor for many young dancers as well as assisting Mr. Lucas in creating Ballethnic’s unique style. Ms. Gilreath was creative Loafing’s 2000 Best of Atlanta Critics Pick-Best Dancer; she received Atlanta Business League’s Success Against the Odds Award in 2001. She, along with Mr. Lucas, received the 2002 Global Diversity Business Exchange Atlanta Entrepreneur Award. In addition, Ms. Gilreath is a recipient of the 2003 Pinnacle Leadership Award. Nena and Waverly were recently selected as the December 2006 Lexus Leaders of the Artsby Georgia Public Broadcasting. Nena was also recognized in Atlanta Magazine’s December 2006 issue as one of the “Top Twenty Women in Business”. She is also the recipient of the 2007 Charles Loridans Award. She also received the 2008 Atlanta NAACP President’s Award for their positive influence on today’s youth.

Detroit native Gary Beauford trained in the Washington, D.C. area, where he was a company dancer, choreographer & captain for the award-winning Culture Shock D.C. dance troupe for 5 1⁄2 years (04-09). His extensive industry background includes Sharaya J/ Missy Elliott, 6lack, The Weekend, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, Musiq SoulChild, Xscape, Joey Badass & Keith Sweat. He has trained/work with Draico, CiCi Kelley, Bubba Carr, Kiki Ely, Sakinah LeStage, Tricia Miranda, Sean Bankhead, Nick Demoura, Tanisha Scott, Fatima Robinson, Charm LaDonna, Hollywood, Rich & Tone along with many other accomplished choreographers & instructors. Gary has been featured in several music video’s such as Rihanna’s “Whats My Name”(2010), Austin Mahone’s "What About Love”(2013), Missy Elliott’s artist Sharaya J “Taking It No More/ Shut It Down” (2014), & Keith Sweat’s “Good Love” (2016). 2 Chainz "Can't Go For That (2021). In 2011 & 2012, Gary toured as a dancer with the nationally known UniverSoul Circus, while touring with the Universoul Circus he also hosted the nationally known tour as "The Ring Master". Gary has been featured in films such "Coming To America 2", “Bolden”, Alvin & The Chipmunks 4 “Road Trip”, & "How High 2", He also assisted with choreography along side Kiki Ely for the film “The Founder.” Gary has choreographed Keith Sweats Las Vegas Residency at the Flamingo Hotel (2017 & 2018). Gary has also been blessed to apart of the musical “Holler If ya Hear Me” written by Todd Kreidler, directed by Kenny Leon & choreographer by Jared Grimes. Gary recently was an assistant choreographer for 90's R&B group Xscape & SWV for the Queens of R&B tour under the creative direction of Anthony Burrell (2024), he continues to teach & train dancers in his smooth style of choreography. You can find Gary in Atlanta training, dancing, teaching/choreographing with ATL's hottest dancers, teachers, & Choreographers.

A native of Washington D.C. Dominique Angel began her ballet training with Ballet Russe premiere danseur Oleg Tupine and his wife Tania Rousseau, after receiving a full scholarship at age fourteen Ms. Angel moved to New York City where she continued her studies at the Joffrey Ballet School ultimately joining the Joffrey II Dancers under the direction of Sally Brayley Bliss and The Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Robert Joffrey. While with The Joffrey Ballet Ms. Angel danced in works choreographed by Paul Taylor, Frederick Ashton, Agnes DeMille, Mark Morris, Jiri Kylian, John Cranko, Pilobolus, and resident choreographer Gerald Arpino. In 1987 Edward Villella invited Ms. Angel to join his newly founded Miami City Ballet, during this time Ms. Angel’s repertoire included roles in George Balanchine’s “Apollo,” “Serenade,” “Square Dance,” “Scotch Symphony,” “Jewels,” and “Divertimento #15.” Following her career on the stage Ms. Angel became a faculty member of The Miami Conservatory and The New World School of the Arts in Miami, Fla., The Virginia School of the Arts and Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., and has been a faculty member of The Department of Theatre and Dance at Troy University in Troy, Al. from 2014 until the present. In 2020 Ms. Angel received Troy University’s Ingalls Award, in recognition of Excellence in Classroom Teaching. Ms. Angel is grateful to have had the good fortune to work with and study under many creative and inspiring artists and finds great joy in relating this experience to her students in hopes that they too will continue this tradition.

Brittany Fleet is a Native of Baltimore, MD, and a passion-driven Artist who believes that Dance expands your vision and eliminates boundaries. She began her training at a young age which led her to focus on Dance at Carver Center For Arts And Technology, followed by a BFA in Dance at SUNY Purchase. Her additional training includes The Rock School, Orlando Ballet, And Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She has performed works by George Balanchine, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Stephanie Tooman, and Francesca Harper. Professionally, Brittany has been seen in many live performances, Commercials, and Music Videos with Disney, The Kids Choice Awards, Google, Shark Ninja, and several music artists. Brittany is a Teacher, Choreographer, and Mentor who believes that training the body is just as important as focusing on the dancer's mentality. Her passion for dance and dance education led her to launch FLEET Dance Coaching LLC in March 2022. She promises to offer excellence and experiences far beyond individualized training. Striving to grow as her students grow in return, Brittany recently received a teacher certification from the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre! Fleet has gained recognition by Brown Girls do ballet, June Ambrose × PUMA "Neighboor-HOOD Hall of Famer," and 2022 Best of Atlanta award in Career Guidance. Brittany has assisted several students with applying to some of the top college dance programs in the US and is excited to guide and mentor this promising group of seniors. Brittany believes in a holistic approach to coaching. “Strong mind set strong dancer”

Eryn Cade is a first year MFA dance candidate and graduate of the University of Alabama receiving a Bachelors of Arts, majoring in Dance and minoring in Blount Scholars Program. Cade has danced professionally with the Atlanta Dance Connection, the JellyBean Dance Collective, and Komanse’ Dance Theater. Cade has had the opportunity to travel to Toulouse, France as a performer and dance scholar discussing the challenges of Zelda Fitzgerald in June of 2019. Cade has trained The American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Alvin Ailey, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Elisa Monte Dance, Radio City Rockettes, and The Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Derreck Williams is a dance practitioner and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Alabama. As an instructor, Derreck teaches and continues to offer masterclasses in jazz and contemporary dance throughout the United States. His research interests focus on the intersection of gender and Black dance studies. Derreck has choreographed over thirty original works for university dance programs, as well as for public and private sector dance institutions. His choreographic aesthetic blends various genres, including jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. His work has been commissioned and presented at numerous national and international venues, most notably at the Black Lives Rising Film Festival in New York City and the Ten Tiny Dances concert in Birmingham, Alabama.