Dance Crush: Kendra Portier

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kendra Portier has trained and performed with BalletMet and later received her BFA in Dance form Ohio State University. She has performed with Vanessa Justice Dance, Alexandra Beller Dances, mvworks, and David Dorfman Dance to name a few. Chances are if you take contemporary or modern dance classes in NYC, you have already heard of Kendra Portier.

Kendra teaches improvisational techniques and contemporary dance that mixes NYC downtown style with her own special twist. Her classes are always fun because everyone there feels safe enough to explore and step out of their comfort zone. She has this amazing way with imagery that allows you to explore every muscle, nerve, and cell in your body and that's just her warm up. Kendra is one those special beings who is able to inspire others by teaching dancers how to discover their unique style. Her class allows us to investigate our own practices and how we can use that information to inform how we dance and approach movement. It's more than just plies and tendus, which are a part of class; it's information that is unique to each participant. I highly recommend her class for the investigation and for the joy of dance that she gives each and every one of us during those delicious two hours.

She has her own company BAND|portier, a NY based dance arts company who's goal is to create momentous dance works that siphon the imagination, challenge physicalities, and embed performers via an enthralling and prolific body of work. 
She currently dances for David Dorfman Dance and they are having their season right now at BAM in Brooklyn.
Check out her website, for class times and locations!
See you in class!
R

Dance Crush: Michaela DePrince

Talk about an inspiration. Michaela DePrince is the true embodiment of hard work and perseverance. Those of you who watched First Position (it's on Netflix, so there's no excuse) will remember Michaela and her incredible story and beautiful athleticism. Adopted from Sierra Leone after her parents were killed during the civil war, she then watched her favorite teacher get killed in front of her and suffered from discrimination because she suffers form the skin condition vitiligo. As fate would have it, one day a magazine picture of a ballerina flew in into the orphanage by a gust of wind and Michaela was mesmerized by the image. 

After being adopted by a loving American family she began to take ballet lessons. She has just graduated from the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in New York and has joined The Dance Theatre of Harlem. If you haven't seen the movie, please do so. It's a small window into the personal sacrifices the featured dancers and their families go through for the opportunity to win the Youth American Grand Prix. It's more than a competition; it's the beginning of the rest of their professional lives. Major Companies watch this competition and invite young dancers to train with them and also offer a position in their company.

As a Black woman I could relate to Michaela's struggles with Ballet. The technique itself is just HARD! Being one of the few women of color in her class, having to re-construct costumes because what is considered nude DOES NOT constitute and nude for brown girls. Dealing with injuries and working though them despite the pain. I mean the list goes on. Listen, you can't have one shade of "Mocha" and think that that ONE shade can work for all of us. Side eye at you Capezio. Just sayin…

Michaela's story is one to be commended. Having gone through such turmoil at a young age she could have just given up. It just goes to show you that even if you aren't dealt the best hand you can still win the top prize.

 #werk

#blackballerina

Go here to see her recent spread with Teen Vogue.