I began ballet as a child at Rowe Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Introduced through musical movement at school, I was invited to train formally around age seven. Growing up in a post-colonial country, much felt theoretical—ballet included. But movement was everywhere: ska, reggae, Afro-Caribbean dance. I trained in both ballet and folk, shaped by a rich, hybrid culture and the rise of Jamaica’s national dance identity.
Trained in Jamaica and England, I apprenticed with Northern Ballet and danced with London Festival Ballet before immigrating to the U.S. I performed with Oakland Ballet and later joined Paul Taylor Dance Company, dancing for 15 years. After retiring, I staged Taylor’s works internationally, earned an MFA, completed Fulbrights in New Zealand and India, and now direct the licensing division of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation.
I performed for 30 years and have been retired since 2008. Every five years, I had to retrain as my body and mindset changed. Dance careers aren't static—neither is the body or passion. I used to focus so much on improving that I didn’t fully enjoy pivotal moments or mentors. My advice: remove the mile markers, embrace change, and truly enjoy where you are now—it won’t stay the same.
Dancer/Educator/Coach/Arts Manager