Meet Desmin | Best Jazz Choreography Nominee

Meet Desmin

Best jazz choreography nominee

rva dance awards

If you asked me 10 years ago what I would be doing with my life, I would have answered sitting behind a computer desk with an I.T. job at some organization. Never in a million years did I think I would be dancing, let alone have a career doing it.

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In 2013, I was a web developer 2 years out of college simply trying to make it. I knew I always loved dance but never pursued it because of fear of judgement from my family. One day at a new job, Kendall New invited me out to my very first dance workshop with Kodachrome and the rest is history. From that moment on, I KNEW I had to take class. I was literally everywhere in the Richmond area taking whatever class I could get into. Later on, I joined RVA Dance Collective (now in my 6th season). I also danced with dance groups like Blank Canvas and Pace Setters. These lead to performance opportunities in places like New Jersey, West Virginia, and even Atlanta. Later down the road, I found myself leaving the I.T. field to go on to teach at studios. Though I mainly taught hip hop, I was often asked to sub modern, contemporary and jazz classes. I had a knack for creating choreography on the spot when it comes to any genre I’m familiar with. Eventually, my life quickly adapted to life as a dancer and nothing else.

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Present day, I’m teaching more than ever while also hosting RVA Dance Life Series which gives dancers in RVA a chance to teach in a diverse lineup of teachers to new audiences. So far in this 6 year journey, I’ve learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of. However, I’ve only scratched at the surface. There are so many more incredible things in store for me, and I cannot wait to explore them. Also, my family is now one of my biggest supporters.

I am beyond thrilled and honored to be a nominee for best jazz choreography because I’ve been extra passionate about it in my classes in the past year. It’s such a fun style that I cannot get enough of sometimes.