MYA D. SPECIALIST
Mentoring Movement Inspiration
ABOUT ME
Movement Mentoring Inspiration
I aim to teach strong foundational movement practices while nurturing and encouraging both creativity and individuality
For more than twenty years, dance has served as my medium for sharing and healing. Inspired and supported by my instructors in Sankofa Dance Theater, I began assisting and instructing class at age 13. I believe knowledge is best when shared and to date I have instructed throughout the United States, for all levels of dancers and in various types of programming. As a performer, I shared the stage with artists such as Roberta Flack, Fertile Ground, M.I.A, and Spank Rock. My movement research includes time with: Sankofa Dance Theater, NaZu &Co, the National Ballets of Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire, as well as numerous instructors that specialize in movement of the African diaspora. I hold a B.A. in Dance with a K-12 teaching certificate from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a M.F.A in Dance from Hollins University in collaboration with the American Dance Festival (ADF) and the Forsythe Company.
During my tenure with Sankofa Dance Theater, I served as dance captain for the adult company and director of Sankofa Dance Theater’s Youth Ensemble, but I believe teaching is my super power. Working in autism research and development with the Kennedy Krieger Institute taught me a wealth of knowledge in alternative teaching practices supporting my successful careers with Maarifa Shule, ConneXions Leadership Academy, Baltimore County Public Schools, The Bryn Mawr School for Girls and Coppin State University. I love to blend my dance mind with teaching mind and served as curriculum writer for Baltimore County Public Schools as well the Open Society Fellow Meshelle Sheilds’ Goal Diggers: The Sankofa Project. I currently hold the position of Assistant Professor of Global Dance for Ball State University.
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Jennifer Davies
"I just wanted to thank you so much for a master class that was not only informative and interesting but so much fun! The students absolutely loved it! I know zoom is hard but your class felt warm and personable. You spanned the virtual distance with ease. I’d love to host you again (and in-person) as soon as we’re able!"
Tyler Smith
"Just reading through the subtitiles you added for class 1 and wanted to say these are fantastic. "The body as an archive of experiences", Embodied History as Performance Text - I want to take your class"
Rachel Miller
"Mya has the ability to connect with each and every one of her students no matter what their ability, experience, or identity may be. She is very encouraging, gives insightful feedback to each individual student and to the class as a whole, has the ability to pass on her vast knowledge and insight about tradition while still maintaining cohesion and flow, and her energy is infectious."