Abrielle Harris
Owner/CEO
Nya Harris is a dancer and actress and is beginning her Sophomore year in the AMDA dance theatre program in New York. She has performed at the Kennedy Center and on National television along side Debbie Allen at The Special Olympics in the opening ceremony. Nya has enjoyed many stage appearances since the young age of five. Some of her debut performances include "The Wiz", and Debbie Allen's "Dancing in the Wings". She has performed for actress Vivica Foxx, and beside our very own First Lady Michelle Obama, Stevie Wonder, Debbie Allen, and Cathie Nicholas. Her greatest achievements include performing for the opening ceremony for "The Special Olympics" with Debbie Allen and performing alongside Ballet West's professional Ballet Company at The Kennedy Center in "The Nutcracker". Most recently she trained with Teddy Forance, and Jason Williams. She is so excited to take on this new opportunity to be a business owner and help other performers on their journeys!
Khalia Harris
Director
Kay Harris started her professional dance career at the age of nineteen. She has had the opportunity to meet and dance for such famous acts at Vivica Foxx and more. At twenty four, she stopped her professional career to become a choreographer and instructor. Her works include, choreographing for Debbie Allen's, "Dancing in the Wings", "Amazing Grace", "The Wiz" and more. She has since added director to her list of accomplishments. Kay Harris has danced with Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Duke Ellington School of the Arts dancers. Most recently her choreography received five stars In Debbie' Allen's "Dancing in the Wings" and the Broadway Musical "The Wiz". She has been dancing as a principle and ensemble dancer all over the Unites States for over fifteen years. Some of her students have gone on to perform for professional dance companies such as Dance Theatre of Harlem. All of these accomplishments pale in comparison to what she feels is her greatest accomplishment, becoming a mom. Her passion for teaching starts in her heart, takes flight in her classroom and flows into each of her students, which motivates her to continue to inspire others.
Ivy Dozier
Program Director
Ivy Dozier became a member of our UCPA faculty in January of 2018. It was clear that she was born with a natural passion for dance, teaching and the performing arts. In early years of childhood, Ivy trained heavily in gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading, building her athleticism and quality of performance. Her dance career began in 2006 at Mt. Hope Baptist Church where she studied liturgical dance for several years. In 2011, she studied Ballet at Ari's House of Dance in Fredericksburg, VA, was cast as part of the ensemble for Colonial Forge High School's rendition of the musical Hairspray! and earned a spot on CFHS dance team, where the focus was pom, jazz and hip-hop. Ivy's dance career accelerated when she began attending Virginia State University where she joined Sankofa Dance Theatre and "P.A.N.I.C. 2000" (a performing arts organization that originated in Brooklyn, NY) where she was deeply immersed in training various styles of dance (African, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip-Hop). In 2016, Ivy began studying Hip-Hop intensely when she joined P.A.N.I.C. 2000. She has also had the pleasure of training with and choreographing for Richmond Urban Dance Company in Richmond, VA. Through compassion, expression and proper technique, Ivy believes that all students have the ability to excel in the arts!
Demetia Hopkins
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Demetia Hopkins began her dance training at the Orange School of Performing Arts under the direction of her uncle, Ricardo Porter. Ms. Hopkins graduated with honors from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in 2009 while a member of Ailey II. In 2010 she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. During her six year tenure in the company she was honored to perform ballets by prestigious choreographers such as Bill T. Jones, Kyle Abraham, Jiri Kylian, Robert Battle, Wayne McGregor, Ulysses Dove, Matthew Rushing, Ronald K. Brown, Ohad Naharin, Judith Jamison, and a multitude of roles from Alvin Ailey’s repertory including his signature solo Cry. Ms. Hopkins was most recently seen in the Tony Award winning musical "Oklahoma!" on Broadway where she served as principal understudy for Dream Laury, Associate Choreographer, and Dance Captain. In 2018, she choreographed a production of Leonard Bernstein’s "Mass" presented at the historic Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, VA. She has performed with the Francesca Harper Project, Project-Inc, Mimi Garrard, and with performing arts pioneer Dianne McIntyre. Ms. Hopkins was cited on the Huffpost list of “26 Black Female Choreographers and Dancers You Should Know,” named one of Dance Magazines “Top 25 To Watch” in 2014, and was a recipient of a Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts in 2011. Ms. Hopkins is currently a freelance artist and dance educator based in New York and Central Virginia. She is proud to be Co-Artistic Director of the Orange School of Performing Arts.
Aaliyah Kerr
Aaliyah is a former dancer and DI collegiate gymnast of William and Mary. She began training in both sports at the age of 4 and continued to compete and perform in a variety of dance recitals, Junior Olympic and Collegiate gymnastics competitions. Her greatest achievement includes garnering all-league distinction at the championship meet three times within her collegiate gymnastics career on the floor exercise. Aaliyah was also selected to attend a showcase under the instruction of M&S Studio of the Performing Arts and Sabine’s pre-professional program where she was offered representation opportunities from numerous talent agencies for acting and dance. Aaliyah also has a background coaching gymnastics and dance for the Naval Academy, in addition to numerous local community gymnastics centers. Her passion for coaching comes from the fulfillment of helping others to build their confidence, learn new skills, and to achieve personal growth both inside and outside of the dance studio.
Xavier Clark
Xavier has had the honor to dance background for Jason Cerda and Jodeci Milhouse in the DMVarea. He has also taught hip hop competition dance teams (Ari’s House of Dance, Heart N Soul) and has competed as well as performed as a dancer. Xavier's training includes Brooke Point High School's Competition Team, as well as at Florida International University (Tokyo Love Bots/Unit 305). He is well versed in popping but has learned foundation in all styles. He has recently danced in a brief number at the Millenium Tour 2019 (B2K) during intermission. Xavier teaches locally in the DMV area, (Lakeridge Dance, Cerdafied Studios, MNS studios) and he is looking forward to dancing with you!
Victoria Edwards
Victoria Edwards started her dance training at Lorenzo’s Dance Studio at the age of 3 and continued to Fredericksburg Ballet Centre at the age of 5. She trained in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theater. Along with 13 years of Nutcracker, some of her favorite roles have been in “The Nutcracker” as Mirliton, “Cinderella” as the Summer Fairy, and “Sleeping Beauty” as Candide the Crystal Fountain. Hanging up her tutu after graduation to be able to share her passion of dance through teaching has been such a joy the over the past 10 years.
Hannah Wagner
