ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Transformation Academy (Uptown Kidz) Student Accomplishments
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Members of Uptown Dance Company (UDC)
*Quiana Haynes, founding member and creator of Uptown Kidz (UK), started at age 7. She is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, Harlem Cares Gospel 2003, McDonald’s Gospelfest 2009, Ms. New York 2006, 3rd Runner-up International Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens, was accepted to Professional Performing Arts High School (PPAS), performed with Brazilian Dance Company, is currently modeling in Bryant Park, and with Al Sharpton, performs in the role of The Snow Queen. Currently a teaching artist at Harlem Children’s Zone.
*Talia Pelle joined UK at the age of 9, is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, McDonald’s Gospelfest 2009, 2006 3rd Runner-up International Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens and was named MS Creativity, attended Montclair State University and performs in the role of the Spanish variation. She was accepted to PPAS, accepted in to Alvin Ailey Junior Division Summer Program, performed with Brazilian Dance Company, taught Master Classes at Pace University, performed with RAW as opening dance group for Elephant Man. Back up dancer for R&B singer Sunshine and Beyonce. Performed the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in our 20th and 21st Annual Black Nutcracker
*Dejia Ferguson joined UK at the age of 8, is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, performed as Clarice from 2001–2005, performed as The Baby Doll Fairy, and was accepted to PPAS. Participated in a hip hop instructional video at age 9. In 2011 was featured in Tyana Taylor’s latest video. Appeared in the Netflix TV series The Get Down. A print model for the store Bandier. Recently she received at contract for ___________
*Joshua Santiago joined UK at age 14, UDA Recital Studio Pre-School Specialist, Bachelor of Fine Arts Lehman College.
*Jasmine Shand joined UK at the age of 9, is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, and performs the role of Queen Rat. She is a UDA Recital Studio teaching artist and at Eastside House.
*Kashawn Shand joined UK at the age of 9, is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, and performs the role of The Snow King. Has also won several boxing competitions
*Wayne Bryant joined UK on full scholarship by recommendation at age 12. Currently teaching Hip Hop annually at Camp Ramapo. CASA teaching artist, Creator of the UDA Personal Training Package
*Ashley Boyd started UDA at age 5 accepted on full scholarship at Dance Theater of Harlem, accepted into PPAS. Currently and apprentice at Forces of Nature Dance Company
*Rufus Davis joined UK at the age of 8, and performs in the role of Nutcracker Prince from 2006 – present. He was accepted into Conservatory Performing Arts High School
Sonja Chung joined UK at age 8, attended Dillard Center for the Arts in Florida, currently attending Rutgers University on scholarship, and is associated with Mason Gross School of the Arts. Sonja is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001. Although in Florida for 6 years, she still attended class with UK in the summer and performs during Black Nutcracker season in the role of Head Angel which was created for her at age 9. She also performed The Table with Bill T. Jones, won the 1st prize in Barbizon Model and Talent Agency International Competition, and modeled in Fashion Week 2010. Currently company member at Jennifer Muller Dance Company.
*Gabrielle Hamilton has danced at UDA since age 3, joined UK at age 7. Played Clarice in 2006, has performed as Rat Queen and Snow Queen, has modeled for Capezio and was pictured in The NY Times in 2002. Selected to attend Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia Summer 2011, she was a finalist to study in Russia. She attended Talented Unlimited High School and has been selected for a partnership with Martha Graham school and a special performance with Lar Lubowitz. Granted a scholarship to Point Park College
*Jade Nair joined UK at the age of 7, is a winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest 2009, and has performed as Clarice from 2007 to present. Received scholarship to American Ballet Theatre (ABT) 2010 by recommendation of Misty Copeland. Selected to perform in the ABT 2011 Nutcracker Season at BAM. Attended PPAS.
*Ashley Nazaire joined UK at the age of 12, is a winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest 2009, is a UDA teaching artist at Annie G. Newsome Headstart and a UDA Recital Studio teacher of the 3-4 year olds. Dance Minor at Hunter College. Winner of the McDonald’s Gospelfest in 2009 and 2014.
*James Williams joined UK at the age of 19, is a UDA dance consultant at Sisulu Academy and Featherbed Lane, and is a UDA Recital Studio teacher of hip-hop and CASA teaching consultant. Was accepted into the Long Island Ballet. Current member UDC.
*Romero L. Patterson joined UK in 2009, began his formal training at the Ailey School when he was 18 training in ballet, Horton, Graham, tap and West African, and graduated the Ailey School certificate program before attending a program at Joffrey Ballet. Hired for dancing role at Walt Disney World
Khalia Campbell joined UK at the age of 8. She is a winner of Harlem Cares Gospel 2003, McDonald’s Gospelfest 2009, winner of best talent Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens 2007, created Egyptian piece danced to Duke Ellington music that appears in The Black Nutcracker, and graduated from LaGuardia High School. toured Currently China with Broadway play Aida. Currently she is a member of Alvin Ailey 2 and has appeared in the Ailey School Promotional material
Matthew Shand joined UK at the age of 8, is a winner of the Nike Competition 2001, and performed the role of Nutcracker Prince from 2001 – 2005 and performed in the Spanish duet.
Stevonia Rogers joined UK at age 8, is a recipient of a scholarship from PS 129 After-school Consultancy and was featured in The Daily News in 2008. Selected for Dance Theatre of Harlem Pre-professional Program.
Airielle Hamilton started UDA at age 3 joined UK at age 8. Modeled for Capezio at age 5. Huge picture in store on 51st street.
Tatiana Green joined UK at age 9. Attended Talent Unlimited High School, Performed in high school partnership with Ballet Hispanico and was accepted into Adelphi University, Teacher at Alvin Ailey Camp, Cut her own CD. Selected for the touring cast of Memphis.
Remo Green studied tap at UDA, played the role of Cymba in the Lion King.
Kristina Sanchez Attended Nets Jr. Half Time Dancer. Movie with Enrique Muino, several after school commercials, played young Chita Rivera in Pilot Broadway Show.
Synchana Elkerson joined UK at age 10. Won 1st place at Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen Competition NY State 2000. Accepted into PPAS and Harbor Conservatory Dance Company.
Reina Pelle Played Ti Moon in Amas Musical Theatre Production, performed the Table with Bill T Jones.
Azaria Izenery joined UK at age 14 Accepted in to Alvin Ailey Junior Division Summer Program.
Le Baron McClary joined UK at age 11 Accepted to La Guardia High School and Julliard College.
Taylor Perez joined UK at age 8. Accepted to Alvin Ailey Jr. Division.
Mica Hawkins started in the UDA Recital Studio at age 3. Joined UK at age 8. Accepted to Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Nyema Stuart started at UDA at age 8. Accepted into PPAS. Full scholarship at Dance Theater of Harlem
Illyana Lamb joined UK at age 7. Accepted to Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballet Academy East.
Nateia Brown started in the UDA Recital Studio at age 4. Joined UK at age 7. Accepted to Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Shanika Clarke started UDA Recital Studio at age 3 joined UK at age 7. Accepted to Alvin Ailey Jr. Division.
China Hughes joined UDA at age 12. Selected for PPAS and Dance Theater of Harlem.
Zaymira Gaspard started at UDA at age 3. Joined UK at age 7, Attended Boy’s Choir of Harlem.
Jeliah Young started UDA at age 8, accepted into Ballet Tech. Accepted on full Scholarship to the American Ballet Theater JKO school
Paige Nair started UDA at age 4, accepted into Ballet Tech Accepted on full Scholarship to the American Ballet Theater JKO school
Elle Nair started UDA t age 4, student teacher since age 6, Accepted on full Scholarship to the American Ballet Theater JKO school
Mya Robeson started at UDA Recital Studio at age 3, accepted into Dance Theater of Harlem
Kristen Douglas started at UDA at age 10, Accepted into PPAS
Chrisani Valdez, started UDA at age 9, accepted into Martha Graham School
Sasha Vannoy started UDA at age 8, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballet Academy East
Dannilyn King, started UDA at age 7 , accepted into American Ballet Theater Project Plie, selected to perform at the Met by Lar Lubovitch with American Ballet Theater Company
Laila Scott started UDA Recital Studio at age 4, accepted into American Ballet Theater Project Plie, , Accepted on full Scholarship to the American Ballet Theater JKO school
Lorraine Lankford started UDA at age 7, accepted into American Ballet Theater Project Plie
Imani Patterson started UDA at age 14, accepted into Laguardia High School
Joi Pastrana started UDA Recital Studio at age 3, accepted into Laguardia High School
Davalois Fearon attended UDA at age 15, currently performing with Stephen Petronio, formed her own dance company Davalois Fearon Dance
Makaila Cooke started UDA at age 10, accepted into American Ballet Theater JKO Summer Program
