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Abrielle Harris
Owner/CEO
Aubrey Kennedy is the proud owner and CEO of Umbiance Center for the Performing Arts. Aubrey attends American Musical Dramatic Academy in New York. Prior to pursuing a career in acting and dancing, she trained with the likes of Debbie Allen, Catherine Nicholas, Savior Glover, and Allison Stroming. At the age of 10 she was recognized by Gilda Squires, agent of Misty Copeland as an upcoming ballet talent in the Northern Virginia area. Her professional career began at the ripe age of five when she was cast in her first stage play under the Direction of Chaz Pando. She went on to perform in Debbie Allen's “Dancing in the Wings”, "The Wiz", “Amazing Grace”, “Alice in Wonderland” and many more. While in LA training with Debbie Allen she auditioned and was chosen to perform in the opening ceremony for The Special Olympics World Games, along side Stevie Wonder and First Lady Michelle Obama. Later Aubrey went on to perform at The Kennedy Center in Ballet West's “Nutcracker” and at The VBHM Gala.
Besides developing at UCPA, she is always training to ensure the students have a solid foundation with cutting edge resources. Most recently she trained with Teddy Forance, and Jason Williams. Her dance education also includes training at Steps on Broadway and The Broadway Dance Center. Aubrey has trained in multiple styles including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Acro. When she isn't performing or training, Aubrey's focus is on speaking out against racial and human injustices. During 2020, the NAACP requested that she speak at marches across the Northern Virginia area.
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Additionally Aubrey is proud to see UCPA students receive opportunities to become working professionals. UCPA students have gone on to be cast in commercials, music videos, off Broadway productions and more. Most recently one student was awarded entry to Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She is delighted when her students express that through the arts they were able to enrich their lives by having the self-confidence, poise and discipline that it takes for any career and a successful life.
Khalia Harris
Founding 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.
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.
Kyla Haley-Risper, III
Kyla is 16 years old and has been an instructor at UCPA for the past 4 years. She began her dance studies at the age of 2 1/2 and her genres include ballet, jazz, hip hop, African, contemporary, and pointe. When Kyla was 8 years old, she was accepted and trained with the Dance Theater of Harlem during their summer intensive. In her free time, you may just find Kyla practicing at the studio before and after hours, due to her dedication and love for dance. As a high school student, she is a hard worker and maintains good grades even with her rigorous schedule. Kyla has graced the stage in several productions including, "The Nutcracker," "Alice in Wonderland," Jingle Jangle," and "Willy Wonka", just to name a few, and she currently teaches jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet and adult fusion at UCPA. In the future, Kyla plans to attend a performing arts school when it is time for her college education.
Carah McCollum
Carah Faith McCollum is a 16 year old honor student that has been dancing since she was six at the Umbiance Center of Performing Arts in Stafford, VA and currently teaches 'Stretching and conditioning' and 'Hip Hop 7-11 year olds'. Carah fell in love with dance at a young age while watching one of her favorite shows on TV, "So You Think You Can Dance!” Carah has learned and advanced in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, modern, African and Liturgical dance styles. At 10 years old Carah was encouraged to try out for the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s summer dance intensive program. She ended up being accepted into the summer program earning an award in the process. Carah has also had the opportunity to dance with several professional and famous choreographers and dancers. When she is not dancing, she loves art, sweets, drawing, fashion and sleeping!
Kayla Quarles
Kayla Quarles joined the UCPA staff in 2023 as their tap instructor. Kayla’s passion for dance sprouted at the age of 3 in her hometown Orange, Virginia. The entirety of her training was through The Orange School of Performing Arts under the direction of her uncle, Ricardo Porter. At a young age Kayla recognized her love for performing and being on stage and took every opportunity to learn and grow in all realms of dance. Kayla is trained in many forms of dance including jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, hip hop and her personal favorite tap! Kayla began to find her love for choreography in 2017, since then she’s been awarded numerous choreography awards throughout the circuit. She began teaching at her family-owned studio, OSPA in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since. She has grown as a teacher and choreographer and is thankful for the many opportunities to teach at several other studios. Kayla finds great joy in sharing her love of dance and teaching with today’s youth. She has vowed to never stop sharing the rhythm in her heart through Tap Dance and is grateful to do so at Umbiance.
Kyla Lardie
Originally from Fredericksburg, VA, Kyla Lardie is an international Entertainer and Choreographer, as well as a Stretch Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA), and Master International Makeup Professional (QC Makeup Academy). Kyla began her training in dance at the age of two with a local studio, and has since traveled the world studying many different styles - from contemporary and ballet to hip hop and breaking. She danced competitively for sixteen years, trained with NYC-based contemporary company “pushing progress”, trained on scholarship with Broadway Dance Center's Professional Semester in NYC, completed Millennium Dance Complex's Certificate Program in Los Angeles, and assisted SYTYCD alumni on tour for five years with Excel In Motion Dance Convention. Nowadays, after 10+ years of professional work, her biggest accomplishments include performing at Madison Square Garden with Latin artist J. Balvin, dancing at Super Bowl LVI, traveling the world with Virgin Voyages, working on multiple projects with You Got Served choreographers Dave Scott and Shane Sparks, cheering in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Universal Cheer Association (UCA), and featuring as a backup dancer and Assistant Choreographer on the Drop the Mic tour. In addition to her dance training, Kyla has developed other skill sets such as stilt walking, Taekwondo, weapons/stunts, and other various performance mediums to continue growing as an entertainer. Kyla continues to perform and train as a dancer, stilt walker, character entertainer, host, and stunt performer for various shows/events worldwide, and is thrilled to be back in a studio as a choreographer and teacher for the upcoming seasons!
Hannah Wagner
Hannah Wagner is a piano instructor from King George. She started taking piano lessons in kindergarten and taught students in her junior and senior years of high school before she graduated. She continued her training at Mount Vernon Nazarene University where she learned many skills useful in piano pedagogy and graduated with a music degree in 2022. Hannah has a great passion for instilling the love of music into the hearts of students of all ages.
Jackie Jerndal
Jackie was born and raised in South Africa where she began dancing at age 5. She came to America in 1988 where she studied theater and dance with expertise in European and American acting techniques, Scene study, mask work, physical theatre, including acting with the whole body, movement, choreography, creative strategy and direction, team building and leadership. Jackie is a graduate of Dell’ Arte International school of physical theatre and studied extensively at HB Studios in New York City. Some of her career accomplishments include 8 years as a professional actor with Pax Amicus Repertory Theatre in New Jersey; Founder of La Commedia Theatre Company, New York City, NY; produced and directed Moliere's "Forced Marriage" at the Fringe Festival in New York City NY; taught workshops for the 3-year MFA Program at The New School for Drama in New York City, NY and much more! She also has 15 years of experience teaching and managing classrooms of kids, teens, and adults. Jackie is delighted to be part of Umbiance and loves to teach and empower students in an atmosphere of fun and creativity.
Iyana Adams
Iyana Adams is a recent George Mason University graduate, where she studied Psychology and Musical Theatre. She began her performance career at a young age, taking dance classes in all styles, including acting. In middle school she began playing the Cello and eventually auditioned and landed a spot in the Rappahannock Youth Symphony Orchestra. She honed her ear for music and love for performing in all artistic fronts, performing in multiple musicals and plays at her school and in her community. With her degree in Psychology and minor is Musical Theatre, Iyana’s passion is to become a Drama Therapist, in order to provide for her community in an unconventional way. This passion has led her here to Umbiance, where she is excited to build upon her passions and share her love of the arts with young people.
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