My goal as an artist is to create meaningful and honest work, whether I am choreographing, directing, or collaborating. I am committed to telling stories that reveal the truths people often carry quietly within themselves. Art guides me toward what matters and allows me to invite others into spaces where they can see and feel more deeply.
Movement has always been my first language. As a child with a severe stutter, silence became both a shield and a source of isolation. Speaking in front of others filled me with fear, and I often wished to disappear in moments that required my voice. Everything changed when I discovered dance. Watching Leroy in the show Fame, portrayed by Gene Anthony Ray, I recognized a form of expression that did not rely on words. Through movement, I found a way to communicate with confidence, honesty, and emotional clarity. That discovery continues to shape my artistic vision today.
I am inspired by voices that have been overlooked or forgotten. My research on fashion designer Patrick Kelly is one example. His talent was extraordinary, his presence bold and joyful, yet over time his name slipped from mainstream memory. Learning about his life and work reminded me that artists carry stories that deserve to be remembered. My creative process begins with these stories, explored through research, interviews, scholarship, and lived experiences. Choreography is born not only from steps but from emotion, history, and connection.
One of my most meaningful projects, Incense Burning on a Saturday Night The Maestro, recently performed by Bodytraffic, reflects this approach. In collaboration with visual artist Yee Eun Nam, I brought the paintings of Ernie Barnes to life through dance and immersive projection. Centered on his muse known as the lady in yellow, the work honored Barnes’s ability to capture culture, rhythm, and the beauty of everyday life.
My vision is not only to create but to inspire. I hope my work celebrates the stories our bodies hold, the resilience found in silence, and the ways movement connects us to one another. Through dance, film, and storytelling, I strive to create a world where movement speaks with the same power as words.