PROGRAMS & CLASSES

Lower & Upper School African

This high-energy class introduces students to traditional West African dance forms. Dancers develop rhythm, musicality, stamina, cultural appreciation, and expressive movement through percussion-based movement traditions.

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YOUR TEACHERS

Diedre Dawkins

• African


6 Years with MSDC

Diedre Nyota Dawkins is a 2003 N.Y.C. Bessie Award winner for outstanding dance performance and a 2016 recipient of the President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for National and Community Service. She is also the 2020 Evidence Award recipient for Artistic Expression with the theme “Sistas Prepared, Positioned and Pivotal for Such a Time as This”. She is the founder and director of “Dance is Healing” a mentorship program for middle school girls and was voted 2016 Teacher of the Year at ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School. Diedre graduated from The N.Y.C. High School of the Performing Arts and received her B.F.A. in dance from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her M.F.A. in choreography and performance from The University of Maryland College Park.

Diedre Dawkins

• African


Years with MS

Diedre Nyota Dawkins is a 2003 N.Y.C. Bessie Award winner for outstanding dance performance and a 2016 recipient of the President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for National and Community Service. She is also the 2020 Evidence Award recipient for Artistic Expression with the theme “Sistas Prepared, Positioned and Pivotal for Such a Time as This”. She is the founder and director of “Dance is Healing” a mentorship program for middle school girls and was voted 2016 Teacher of the Year at ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School. Diedre graduated from The N.Y.C. High School of the Performing Arts and received her B.F.A. in dance from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her M.F.A. in choreography and performance from The University of Maryland College Park.

Diedre Dawkins

• African


6 Years with MSDC

Diedre Nyota Dawkins is a 2003 N.Y.C. Bessie Award winner for outstanding dance performance and a 2016 recipient of the President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award for National and Community Service. She is also the 2020 Evidence Award recipient for Artistic Expression with the theme “Sistas Prepared, Positioned and Pivotal for Such a Time as This”. She is the founder and director of “Dance is Healing” a mentorship program for middle school girls and was voted 2016 Teacher of the Year at ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School. Diedre graduated from The N.Y.C. High School of the Performing Arts and received her B.F.A. in dance from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her M.F.A. in choreography and performance from The University of Maryland College Park.

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African

Introduction

Recommended Classses

Programs & Classes

Teachers

This high-energy class introduces students to traditional West African dance forms. Dancers develop rhythm, musicality, stamina, cultural appreciation, and expressive movement through percussion-based movement traditions.

The below information provides an outline for our program structure and class offerings. Once you've selected your classes, we will review and approve your registration.

Levels 1 & Above: Placement is based on ability, experience, and technical development rather than age alone. New students may schedule a placement evaluation with the Director before registering.

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  • 2026/2027 SeaSon

  • Begins Sept. 12

  • LimiteD Availability

  • Register Now!

  • 2026/2027 Season

African

African

Introduction

Recommended Classses

Programs & Classes

Teachers

This high-energy class introduces students to traditional West African dance forms. Dancers develop rhythm, musicality, stamina, cultural appreciation, and expressive movement through percussion-based movement traditions.

The below information provides an outline for our program structure and class offerings. Once you've selected your classes, we will review and approve your registration.

Levels 1 & Above: Placement is based on ability, experience, and technical development rather than age alone. New students may schedule a placement evaluation with the Director before registering.
This high-energy class introduces students to traditional West African dance forms. Dancers develop rhythm, musicality, stamina, cultural appreciation, and expressive movement through percussion-based movement traditions.

The below information provides an outline for our program structure and class offerings. Once you've selected your classes, we will review and approve your registration.

Levels 1 & Above: Placement is based on ability, experience, and technical development rather than age alone. New students may schedule a placement evaluation with the Director before registering.

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