DANCER BIO

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Simmons began her dance training at the New Castle Dance Academy in Delaware. She went on to train at Christina Cultural Arts Center, The Academy of Dance, Live Love & Dance, The Ailey School, and Dance4life where she studied ballet, modern, and jazz. She continued her studies under the direction of Maria Theresa Emmons at the Dance Conservatory in Dover, Delaware. She enjoyed dancing in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Coppélia, and Swan Lake for the Ballet Theater of Dover Pre-Professional Company. Her dance training was completed in Delaware at Mrs. Barbara’s School of Dance where she also taught modern and jazz. In 2013, she moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts majoring in Dance Performance. She has danced in works by Sidra Bell, Wayne St. David, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Nora Gibson, Curt Haworth, Katie-Swords-Thurman, and Jesse Zaritt. Graduating with Honors in 2017, she received her BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Soon after earning her degree she became a Teaching Artist for the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, where she is able to share her passion for dance with the community. She is grateful for this opportunity to give back and feels blessed to be able to make a difference in a child’s life. She is actively presenting her choreography and performing in Philadelphia. Ms. Simmons is thankful for dance and how through it she has been able to express herself in every season of her life.

About: About

RESUME

Education: The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Fine Arts - Dance Performance (2017)

Training: Ballet –

Heidi Cruz-Austin, Laura Goldstein, Denis Gronostayskiy, Maria Theresa Emmons, Barbara McDonald, Meredith Rainey, Michael Sheridan, Suzanne Slenn, Anne White,

Jazz –

Jessica Daley, Wayne St. David, Tommie Waheed-Evans,

Modern –

Kim Bears-Bailey, Curt Haworth, Katie Swords-Thurman,

Improvisation and other –

Kyle Clark (Hip Hop), Margaret Foley, Curt Haworth, Megan Mazarick, Olivier Tarbaga (West African)

Performances:

Jenna Silva and Exertion (2018)

Nia Simmons

Wayne St. David Welcome to the Beehive (2017) Curt Haworth Structural Decay (2017)

Nora Gibson A Mind of Winter (2016)

Wayne St. David 5678 (2016)

Tommie Waheed-Evans Bodies as Site of Faith and Protest (2016) Tommie Waheed-Evans ANTHEM (2015)

Sidra Bell SPCP (2015) Katie Swords-Thurman

and Jesse Zarrit The Chase (2014)

Choreography: Reboot (2018) -- Mascher Space Co-op

Winslow (2016) – Gershman Y GYM

In Better Hands (2015) – Victory Christian Fellowship

Teaching

Experience: Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership (2017-2018)

Mrs. Barbara’s School of Dance (2014-2015) Mrs. Heather’s School of Dance (2011-2012)

Victory Christian Fellowship Teen Praise Dance (2013-2015)

About: Quote