A Note From The Artistic Director

Dance is a living art form. It is lineage and innovation, discipline and freedom, structure and risk. My work as Artistic Director of AKD is rooted in honoring both where dance has come from and where it is capable of going.

I believe deeply in foundations. The techniques developed by pioneers—Graham, Horton, Taylor, and the great ballet traditions—were built through rigor, research, and artistic courage. Our students deserve to understand that history. They deserve to train with clarity, strength, and respect for the artists who shaped the field.

But dance cannot stand still. It must move forward, just as art always does. My role is to cultivate dancers who are not only technically strong, but curious, thoughtful, and creatively brave. I want our students to become movers, makers, collaborators, and forces in whatever spaces they enter.

At AKD, we build more than strong dancers—we build artistic citizens. Through master classes, visiting artists, school performances, and community collaborations, I strive to create a network where professional artistry and local access meet. I believe that world-class artistic dialogue should not be limited by geography.

Mentorship is central to my work. Whether guiding a student toward summer training, conservatory programs, higher education, or simply deeper self-understanding through movement, I view my role not only as a teacher, but as a steward of their artistic path.

And for those who may never step onto a professional stage, the work is no less meaningful. Discipline, beauty, musicality, and embodiment shape how we move through the world. A dancer’s heart is something that stays with you.

My hope is that AKD remains a space where rigor and joy coexist, where history is honored, where wellness supports longevity, and where the next generation feels both rooted and free.

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