| Dancer Bios

A graduate of University of South Florida with a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Dance, Ms. Anthony is in her first year with Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. Born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, she received dance training from Dillard Center for the Arts, D.A.N.C.E., Inc. and Broward Ballet Theatre. She has performed with Dance Now!, VYB, and Jubilee Dance Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

A Miami native, Debra graduated from University of Florida with a B.F.A. in Dance. She received her dance training from New World School of the Arts.

Ms. Benson comes to Dallas Black Dance Theatre from Atlanta, Georgia. She received her B.F.A. in Dance from Florida State University. Her early dance training began at Total Dance Dancical Productions, Inc. and continued with ProDanza Italia in Castiglioncello, Italy and Bates Dance Festival. She has been a member of the Mahogany Dance Theatre in Tallahassee, Florida and Total Dance Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Benson became interested in dance at the age of 13 and plans to start her own training institution after fulfilling her own performance career in dance.

From Petersburg, VA, Mr. Brown graduated from University of North Texas with a B.A. in General Studies with an emphasis in Dance, Music, and Business. He also received training from San Antonio School for the Performing Arts, Judson High School Varsity Dance Team, Alamo City Dance Company and the Galaxies, where he was the first male dancer in the history of the school.

Born on the Yokota Air Force Base in Tachikawa, Japan, Ms. Cobb comes to Dallas Black Dance Theatre II with a B.F.A. in Dance from the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University Program. She has training from Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, FL and from Deeply Rooted Dance Theater II in Chicago, IL.

Ms. Lockett joins Dallas Black Dance Theatre II from Anniston, AL. She received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Brenau University. She received her training from Price Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Her additional training is from Mt. Zion High School. Her previous dance experience includes dancing with the Brenau Dance Ensemble.

Mr. Derrick Smith is a graduate of Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, where he received his B.F.A. in Dance. He has received dance training through Florida School of the Arts, DeKalb School of the Arts, Orlando Ballet School and McClendon School of Dance. Her served as a company member with Gainesville Ballet Company and Brooks and Company. He received the Best Male Dancer of the Year Award from Nu Delta Alpha dance honor society. Mr. Smith says he enjoys the sensational feeling of dance when he performs. He loves the way it makes him feel.

From Little Rock, AR, Patrick received his B.A. in Music from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He has received dance training from Little Rock Centre for the Dansarts under the direction of C. Michael Tidwell. His initial music training comes from Horace Mann Arts and Science Magnet. His previous professional dance experience includes performing as a guest artist with HappyNia Dance Theatre, Beckels Dancing Company and the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Patrick was also a featured soloist for the Civil Rights Movement Concert held in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the Rehearsal Assistant for Dallas Black Dance Theatre II.

A second year member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Mr. Todd has received his dance training from Ko-Thi Dance Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Art In Motion School of Dance. Coming to Dallas Black Dance Theatre II from Milwaukee, Zachary hopes to one day start a non-profit organization to support and encourage more visual and performing arts programs inside Milwaukee’s public school system.

Ms. Vaughn is a graduate of Grambling State University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a minor in dance and her Master of Science in Sports Administration. While at Grambling State University, Kimberly danced with Orchesis Dance Company. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is in her second season with Dallas Black Dance Theatre II.