JANINE N. BECKLES
A native of New York City, Janine received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.A. in Sociology from Southern Methodist University. She has training from LaGuardia high School of the Performing Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School and was a National Foundation of the Arts award recipient in Dance for 2000. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Alpha Xi Omega) Graduate Chapter.
CHIVAS MERCHANT-BUCKMAN
A Washington, D.C. native, Chivas received his B.F.A. in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College. His previous dance company experience includes performing with Cleo Parker Robinson and Eisenhowser Dance Ensemble. He received training from The Ailey School.
MARIA RACHEL DAY
From Manila, Philippines, Maria received her B.A. in Dance and minor in Marketing from Texas Women's University. She has training from Dallas Black Dance Theatre II and North Harris Performing Arts. Maria is a former member of LaWanda Hunter's In Flight Dance Theatre, Dallas Dance Company and Dallas Black Dance Theater II.
KATRICIA EAGLIN
A Dallas native, Katricia received her B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Business Foundations from the University of North Texas. She received additional dance training from the Dallas Black Dance Academy, the official school of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Ballet Center and the International Conference for Blacks in Dance. Katricia was the Founder and Director of Freedom Dance Ensemble and was a founding member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. She is currently a student at Dallas Theological Seminary and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
RICHARD A. FREEMAN, JR.
Coming to the Dallas Black Dance Theatre from Washington, D.C., Richard began his training with D.C.Y.E. under the director of Carol Foster and the Washington Ballet. He received additional training from Duke Ellington School of the Arts as well as Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. Freeman also works with the Dallas Black Dance Academy Performing Ensemble - Bloom.
DANIELLE DUBOIS GLOVER
A New York native, Danielle joins the Dallas Black Dance Theatre after receiving her B.F.A. in Dance from Howard University. She has worked with Louis Johnson, Dianne McIntyre, Kevin Iega, and Jeff and Ronald K. Brown while under the mentorship of Dr. Sherrill Berryman. Ms. Glover is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
ZACH LAW INGRAM
Mr. Ingram is a native of Miami, Florida. He received his early dance training from the Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, The Alvin Ailey School, American Ballet Theater and School of United Dance of Miami. Mr. Ingram comes to the Dallas Black Dance Theatre from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
KEVIN JACKSON
At age 17, Mr. Jackson began his dance training at the B.O.C.E.S. Cultural Arts Center of Syosset, New York. Since then, he has trained at the Fordham/Ailey B.F.A. program, Martha Graham School and the Koresh Dance Center. His professional career consists of the Martha Graham Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II apprentice and Oakland Ballet; and he has worked with Judith Jamison, Carman De Lavallade, Aubrey Lynch, Troy Powell, Christopher Huggins, Milton Myers, Alonzo King, Elisa Monte and Donald McKayle.
CHRISTOPHER MCKENZIE, JR.
A native of Miami, Florida, Christopher received his B.A. of Dance from New World School of Miami. He received additional dance training from The Ailey School and Martha Graham School. His early dance experience was with the United Dance Company in Miami, Florida. In 2008, Mr. McKenzie received "Dancer of the Year" award through the Miami Elite.
NYCOLE RAY
A Detroit native, graduated from The California Institute of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She received additional dance training at the California State Summer School of the Arts, Wayne State University, and as an exchange student at the London Contemporary Dance School. Ms. Ray has performed with the Lula Washington Dance Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II and the Zadonu African Dance Company. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
BRAVITA A. THREATT
Ms. Threatt joins the Dallas Black Dance Theatre after receiving her B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. Her previous dance experience includes serving as an instructor and principle at Lula Washington Dance Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Her professional career includes performing for military troops in Kosovo. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
MICHELLE ZADA
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Michelle received her B.F.A. in Dance Education and a minor in Physical Education from The Ohio State University. She received additional dance training from The Ailey School and Black College Dance Exchange. Her previous dance experience includes dancing with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Lula Washington Dance Theater and Philadanco's second dance company.