When people ask me why I serve on Dance Entropy's Board of Directors, the answer is simple: dance has shaped every chapter of my life.
My love of dance began when I was a little girl taking ballet, tap, and jazz classes at my neighborhood dance school. Those early lessons sparked a lifelong passion that has only grown over the years. As I got older, I found myself drawn to many different styles of dance—from belly dance and West African dance to samba and salsa. Every dance form introduced me to a new culture, a new rhythm, and a new way of seeing the world.
Having traveled to more than 25 countries, I have discovered that dance is truly a universal language. I have danced on floors around the world—from Bordeaux, France, and London, England, to Montréal, Canada, and Quepos, Costa Rica. Whether in a local club, a cultural celebration, or an unexpected moment of connection with strangers, dance has always brought people together across cultures, languages, and backgrounds.
That love of dance has also taken me around the world and allowed me to experience some of the art form's most extraordinary traditions. One of the most unforgettable moments of my travels was attending a performance of Giselle at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in Saint Petersburg. Sitting inside the historic theater felt as though I had stepped back in time. The building seemed untouched by the passing decades, preserving the elegance and grandeur of another era. You could almost feel the generations of dancers, musicians, and audiences who had filled those seats before you. Watching one of the world's most beloved classical ballets in such a historic setting was an experience I'll never forget.
Another deeply meaningful memory came much closer to home when I attended American Ballet Theatre's production of The Firebird at the Metropolitan Opera House and watched Misty Copeland perform. As an African American woman who has loved ballet my entire life, seeing Misty on one of the world's most prestigious stages was profoundly moving. For generations, Black women have faced enormous barriers to acceptance and opportunity in classical ballet. Misty's artistry, strength, and historic achievements represent not only extraordinary talent, but also perseverance and progress. Watching her dance was both inspiring and deeply personal—a reminder of how representation can transform the way we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.
For me, dance has never been just about movement. It's been about joy, freedom, creativity, connection, and self-expression. Through every stage of my life, dance has remained a constant—a place where I could celebrate life's happiest moments and find strength during its most difficult ones.
One story has become something of a metaphor for how I've approached life. When I was in college at American University in Washington DC, two of my favorite hip-hop groups, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, performed an outdoor concert on campus. My friends and I were standing right at the front of the stage, dancing and having the time of our lives. We looked at one another and, without saying much, knew exactly what we were all thinking—we wanted to be on that stage. There was only one thing standing between us and that dream: a line of fellow students volunteering as concert security, proudly wearing bright yellow "official" security vests. We exchanged a glance, counted to five, and went for it.
For about ten unforgettable seconds, we were dancing on stage before the student security team gently escorted us back into the crowd. To this day, it's one of my favorite memories—not because we bent the rules, but because we followed our instincts and embraced a moment of pure joy
Dance has taught me that life isn't meant to be lived from the sidelines. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts, take a thoughtful risk, and say "yes" before you know exactly where the music will lead. It encourages us to embrace spontaneity, celebrate our individuality, and recognize that some of life's greatest rewards come from having the courage to step outside our comfort zones.
That philosophy has shaped both my personal life and my career.
I've spent more than two decades working in nonprofit health communications, helping organizations educate, inspire, and improve people's lives. Throughout that journey, I realized something that has become one of my core beliefs: dance is a form of healthcare.
While serving as Assistant Director of Public and Patient Education at Hospital for Special Surgery, I had the privilege of developing and launching the hospital's first Dance for Fitness classes. It was one of the most meaningful projects of my career because it brought together my professional expertise and my lifelong passion for dance. The program reinforced what I had experienced personally since childhood: movement has the power to heal. Dance strengthens our bodies, improves balance and mobility, reduces stress, supports mental and emotional well-being, builds confidence, and creates meaningful social connections. It reminds us that caring for ourselves isn't only about medicine or medical appointments—it's also about finding joy in movement and nurturing the whole person.
That belief is one of the many reasons I was drawn to Dance Entropy.
Dance Entropy demonstrates every day that dance is more than performance. Through artistic innovation, education, and community engagement, the organization creates spaces where creativity flourishes, artists are empowered, and people from all backgrounds can experience the transformative power of movement.
Serving on the Board has deepened my appreciation for everything that happens behind the scenes to make that mission possible. Every performance, residency, educational program, and community partnership reflects extraordinary dedication, collaboration, and vision. I'm honored to contribute my experience in nonprofit communications and strategic storytelling to help advance an organization whose mission aligns so closely with my own values.
I believe healthy communities need thriving arts organizations. Dance helps us build empathy, resilience, creativity, and connection. It reminds us that healing can happen through movement, music, and shared experiences just as powerfully as it can through words.
As a lifelong New Yorker, I've experienced dance everywhere—from neighborhood studios and concert halls to cultural festivals and the city's vibrant music scene. Some of my most unforgettable dance experiences came in the late ’90s, when I returned to New York City to attend NYU and immersed myself in the legendary club scene. I spent countless hours on dance floors of iconic clubs like Nell’s, Tunnel, 2i’s, Speed, Limelight, Wetlands, Bentley’s, and Webster Hall. Those experiences reinforced my belief that dance belongs to everyone. It transcends age, language, and background. It brings us together in ways few other art forms can.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue supporting Dance Entropy as it nurtures artists, expands access to dance, and inspires future generations. It's a privilege to serve an organization that so beautifully demonstrates how art can strengthen both individuals and communities.
For me, dance has always been more than movement. It has been a lifelong teacher, a source of healing, a celebration of community, and one of the greatest joys of my life. Serving on Dance Entropy's Board is my way of giving back to an art form that has given me so much.