2009-2010 Teachers

 

 

Joyelle Fobbs

Joyelle joined Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble in 2000 and later joined the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem Company under Arthur Mitchell's direction in 2002 at age 18. Originally from Lansing, MI, Ms. Fobbs began her training with Elzbieta Kutek and at age 16 became a soloist of the Greater Lansing Ballet. Ms. Fobbs has studied at American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Contemporaneo in Argentina, Universal Ballet Academy (formerly Kirov), Julliard and the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

 

Ms. Fobbs has been awarded numerous merit scholarships and awards including Dance Magazine's Craft of Choreography Award of excellence in composition. Ms. Fobbs has toured throughout the U.S., England, and Germany and performed roles in Balanchine’s Four Temperaments among other works performed by the DTH company. Upon leaving DTH, Joyelle attended the University of Michigan where she received her BFA with honor's in dance performance in 2007. While at the University of Michigan, she was a featured soloist in Alonzo King's Shostakovich #15, and danced in Martha Graham’s Primitive Mysteries in Ann Arbor.Ms. Fobbs is also a STOTT Pilates certified instructor.

 

In addition, Joyelle has choreographed numerous secular and liturgical works that have been performed throughout the state of Michigan and in Atlanta, recently, "Intertwined" was performed in Lansing to rave reviews; a photograph of the work was highly recognized and awarded. Joyelle has recently been seen dancing in Dayton, Ohio with the Dayton Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II. Joyelle is pleased to be with Vitoria Dance Company.

 

 

Chelsea Myrick

Chelsea Myrick has been dancing for eighteen years. She began her training at Dublin Dance Center and then continued her training at Balletmet in Columbus, Ohio. While at Balletmet Ms. Myrick danced in The Nutcracker and completed the pre-professional program. Upon completion of the pre-professional program Chelsea was accepted into Ad Deum II in Houston, Texas under the direction of Randall Flinn.

 

Ms. Myrick performed with the company throughout Texas and in New York. After dancing with Ad Deum II Ms. Myrick felt the Lord calling her back home to start Vitoria Dance School and Company. It has always been in her heart to start a dance school and company that would grow dancers not only to be technically strong but spiritually strong. In August 2007 Vitoria Dance School was established and in August 2008 Vitoria Dance Company will begin its premiere season.

 

Through the years Ms. Myrick has had the honor of training with Bridget Moore ( New York Choreographer), April Berry (Alvin Ailey) , Maria Glimcher (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company/ Balletmet Choreographer),Kathy Thibodeaux (Founder of Ballet Magnificat),Hope Boykin (Alvin Ailey) and Steve Rooks (Martha Graham). This summer Chelsea had the opportunity to dance with the Exaltation Dance Company as they ministered through dance in Columbus, Ohio.

 

Chelsea feels so blessed to be director of such an amazing dance school and company. 1 Timothy 4:9-15

 

 

Rachel White

Rachel has been dancing for 13 years and is looking forward to what the Lord has planned for her time at Vitoria. She began her instruction at Boss Dance Studio in New London, Ohio, studying ballet, pointe, and jazz under Miss Andi Boss. While there she danced such parts as the Apprentice in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Alice in “Alice in Wonderland.” She also danced in Ashland Regional Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker, and partnered in choreographing and performed in an independent production of Godspell performed at the Hayesville Opera House. Rachel has performed for numerous church events and weddings in the northeast and central Ohio areas.

 

Her studies also include attending Ad Deum’s Summer Dance Intensive in Houston, Texas learning ballet, modern, traditional and nontraditional partnering, and choreography.

 

Currently, Rachel works at Buckeye Gymnastics organizing all special events hosted by the gym. She is a member of the Vineyard Church of Columbus and the social justice group, Peacemakers.

 

 

Julie Watson-Ables

Julie has been playing acoustic guitar for around 5 years. She was taught by her guitar-playing family, and has also taken some private lessons. Julie has played and sang at nursing homes, for church programs, and for several talent shows. She plays worship and contemporary Christian music. She loves to teach beginning guitar!