As an organization, MYB is determined to work towards a universal platform of diversity and inclusion throughout the student body, faculty, administration, and Board; ensuring that all dancers feel seen and supported regardless of the color of their skin, gender, orientation, or background. It is in this spirit that each February, we present our MYB Black History Month Dance Celebration.

Join us this February for a month of virtual and in-person events.  BHM25 details coming soon!

Friday Night Dance Series

Join MYB for a FREE class every Friday in February from 7:30-9 pm. Ages 10+

FEB 2 – Umfundalai with Miriah Auth: Contemporary African dance technique that includes movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the Diaspora presented in a way which makes it accessible for anyone to perform traditional African dances.

FEB 9 – Dunham with Shawna Williams: The Dunham Technique involves the merging of polyrhythmic dance styles in continual motion. Katherine Dunham was the first to combine the individualistic dance movements of Caribbean and African cultures with European-style ballet.

FEB 16 – Afrobeat with Heinz Adjakwah: A fun and diverse style of dance originating predominantly from Sub-Saharan Africa. It is an evolution from traditional African dance styles following the creation of Afrobeats music. Afrobeats music is anchored in West African music styles, particularly Nigerian Afrobeat and Ghanaian highlife, with American jazz, funk, reggae and dancehall added to the mix, creating a hybrid sound from across continents.

FEB 23 – West African with Jalia Inman: West African Dance is an exploration of the African diaspora through song, dance and live drumming.

FREE  RSVP

BHM24 Screening & Panel Discussion

FEB 10 – 2:30 pm (Watch On Demand HERE)

Film: Black Ballerina
Discussion: A Seat at the Table, a Place on the Stage

Moderated by Larry Miller
Panel: Truly A. Austin, Sandra C. Atkinson, Chandini Darby, Kahina Haynes, Alvin Mayes, Amanda Standard, Vincent E. Thomas
Panelist Bios

For the fifth anniversary of MYB’s Black History Month celebration, we are taking it back to the beginning with a screening of the documentary, Black Ballerina, which tells the story of several black women who fell in love with ballet, some of whom were pioneers who were instrumental in paving the way for those who grace the stages of the world today. Afterwards, join us for a discussion about the film as well as the topic of “A Seat at the Table and a Place on the Stage” regarding whether or not the recent shift by many companies to have discussions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has translated into the real action of more dancers of color being accepted into professional schools and companies which will ultimately (hopefully) lead to them showing up on stage.

FREE  RSVP

BHM24 Concert

FEB 17 – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, & 7:30 pm (Watch On Demand HERE)
DIGITAL PROGRAM LINK

This year’s concert brings together schools, organizations and dance companies from throughout the DMV. 

3:00 pm– Divine Dance Institute, Morton Street Dance, MOVE|NYC|, Maryland Youth Ballet, Princess Mhoon Dance Institute, The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet @THEARC

5:00 pm– Bowie State, Divine Dance Institute, Full Circle Dance Company, Morton Street Dance, ktm eXtreme dance project, MOVE|NYC|, MYB, Princess Mhoon Dance Institute, University of Maryland (College Park), The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet

7:30 pm– Bowie State, Full Circle Dance Company, ktm eXtreme dance project, MOVE|NYC|, Maryland Youth Ballet, University of Maryland (College Park), The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet Adult Program

Tickets
3 & 7:30 pm Shows: $20 Adult; $15 Children & Seniors
5 pm Show: $25 Adult; $20 Children & Seniors
5 pm Show Livestream: $10/household

GET TICKETS

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.

Sunday Morning Stretch

FEB 4, 11, 18, & 25 – 9:15-10:30 am

Special VIRTUAL Stretch class every Sunday in February with MYB Alum Allegra Kirksey 9:15-10:30 am.

$10  SIGN UP

Our hope is to be able to provide most of the events and performances of our Black History Month Celebrations at minimal or no cost. But in order to do this, we are seeking donations from our MYB community, area businesses, and organizations to raise the funds to cover BHM expenses.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our BHM coordinator, Pascha Barnwell, at: pbarnwell@marylandyouthballet.org. Donations may be mailed to MYB to the attention of Black History Month or made online below. 

BHM21 Panel Discussion: Nurturing the Black Dancer in a White World
Join our invited guests from schools and organizations throughout the DMV as they discuss the topic, Nurturing the Black Dancer in a White World. BHM Panelist Bios

MYB Alum Video – In Their Words
Insightful film from BHM21 featuring the discussions of MYB Alum Larry Miller (c/o 2006, WUSA9 News), Jazz Bynum (c/o 2014, Ballet West), Gabrielle Cramer (c/o 2019, MYB’s 1st Black Sugar Plum) and more.

MYB Student Video – Dreams & Aspirations
Five stories from MYB students in 2021 as they share their dreams for today and aspirations for the future.

Artist Talk Back with Lauren Anderson
Log in for an intimate glimpse into the life and success of Lauren Anderson, the first black principal ballerina of an American ballet company, Houston Ballet.

BHM22 Panel Discussion
Join us for an insightful discussion moderated by WUSA9 Anchor and MYB alum, Larry Miller. The 2022 panel focused on Perceiving Division in Diversity: Why celebrating the representation of black bodies matters for ballet. Panelist Bios

BHM23 Panel Discussion: Evolution of Dance in the 21st Century – Race, Social Media and Beyond
Listen as panelists discuss whether or not the proliferation of dance on social media affects the credibility of the professional dance world–especially professional dance training. Moderated by MYB Alum Larry Miller. Panelist Bios

Backstage Interview Series
Series of interviews with an amazing array of dance artists. Hear their journey into the world of dance from student to professional and beyond. They discuss race, acceptance, self discovery and offer advice to the up-and-coming young dancers who are in the studio today. (Episodes 1-8)

“A day in my life”
MYB Alum Aaliyahmarie Key shares a typical day in her life as a student in the San Francisco Ballet school.

MYB’s directory of dancers, choreographers, innovators, and companies that have excelled in the world of dance. 

“How Ballerinas Of Color Are Changing The Palette Of Dance. Black and brown dancers are using their minds, bodies and convictions to change the world of ballet, inside and out.” By Rohina Katoch Sehra
Huff Post

“Debra Austin – Breaking Barriers in Ballet Shoes”
Elysian