Dance BEAT Welcomes Carrie Riley to our Creative Team!

Carrie Riley

Carrie received a degree in dance from Marygrove College as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University as an Honors Psychology Major.  Carrie has over 25 years of dance teaching in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and modern dance (Horton & Dunham techniques).  She has performed at the Fox Theatre in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Nutcracker and as a company member of Dance Detroit.  Her award winning choreography has been showcased in Los Angeles, Walt Disney World, Detroit area fashion shows, Chicago and Detroit area competitions, Eastern Michigan University performances, Oakland University's Dance Team, Churchill High School's CAPA Spring concerts, Youth America Grand Prix competitions, and at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival held at Western Michigan University.

DJ Smart!

Dance BEAT Welcomes DJ Smart!

At the age of 12, Mr. Smart began his formal dance training at Detroit Dance Center with Carole Morisseau and later transitioned to Fem Fatale Dance Studio under the direction of Rita Mosley where he received the majority of his training. In addition, he has also studied at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen Arts Camp, Dance Theatre of Harlem in NY and has been offered scholarships to train at the Edge Performing Arts Center, The Ailey School, Alonzo King Lines Ballet and Tucson Ballet. As he excelled quickly in multiple styles, he continued his studies at Cass Technical High School and after transitioned to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where he graduated in 2011 with a B.F.A. in Ballet Performance. As a graduate with honors, Mr. Smart was awarded both the prestigious "Stella Moore Prize" and "Outstanding in All Styles Award." He is proficient in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, African, contemporary, West Indian, Latin ballroom and modern dance.

Dance BEAT NYC Trip!

Some of our dance families traveled to NYC this July to take part in "The Dance Awards" National dance convention where they studied with top dancers and choreographers from around the country.  They also had the opportunity to take class at Broadway Dance Center and see the Broadway show Newsies!  This is another example of our summer Arts trips that our dancers are invited to experience.  Offering new and exciting opportunities to learn and be inspired!