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FOUNDER, NOEL PIPKIN

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Our founder, Noel Pipkin was introduced to dance at the Abington Arts Center and Cheltenham Center for the Arts in Pennsylvania. As her interest in the art grew, she began studying the Vaganova technique under Mary Geiger at Geiger Ballet Studio (MI). While training at Geiger Ballet she became a member of the Michigan Classic Ballet Company and performed in noted works such as Coppelia, The Nutcracker and Giselle. During that time, she auditioned and performed in the American Ballet Theatre’s Le Corsaire at the Detroit Opera House (MI). Noel later studied the Cecchetti technique at The Mt. Zion School of Dance (MI) under Carmen D. Wade. Noel was a featured soloist and performed several roles in the Nutcracker including both Clara and Snow Queen. Shortly after, Noel was awarded a scholarship at Eisenhower Dance Detroit.  

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Her additional training came from pre-professional summer intensives at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Atlanta Ballet. She has competed in the Youth American Grand Prix, a juried competition for young dancers receiving high honors and an invitation to attend master classes in New York.

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Noel received a minor in Dance from Bowling Green State University (OH) and was a guest ballet instructor at The Beat dance studio during her time at school. She most recently taught at the Premier Foundation’s Movement and Motivation, a program to educate students on self-esteem and mental health awareness through the arts. 

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YOGA INSTRUCTOR, ALICIA TETTEH

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Alicia Tetteh, MSW, LCSW is a mental health Therapist residing in Charlotte, NC. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University for her undergraduate degree and Howard University for her Master’s degree—both in Social Work. She is currently enrolled at Simmons University studying for her Doctorate in Social Work. Alicia runs her own private practice, Building Endurance PLLC where she provides outpatient therapy to children and adults; clinical supervision for provisionally licensed therapists and educational trainings for the community. In 2018, Alicia created the ATTUNE app in hopes of connecting more individuals to mental health services. In 2019 she published, Not Healed As F***, a journal created for those in the helping profession to practice reflection and self-care.

 

She teaches in the Master’s of Social Work program out of Simmons University and Howard University. Some of her focuses include working with therapists, advocating for anti-racist leadership practices and healthy communication. Alicia is EMDR certified, certified in Brainspotting, and TF-CBT.

 

Alicia walks firmly in her faith and believes sincerely in the power of change. She enjoys a good laugh with friends, anything outdoors, reading and family time with her daughter and twins. Alicia is a Registered Yoga Teacher and passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness to historically underserved communities. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and sits on the therapist advisory board for Foster Village Charlotte. 

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INTERN, AARYANNA HENRY 

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Aaryanna Henry is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, double majoring in Psychology and Applied Dance. She is from Durham, North Carolina where she began dancing at eight years old at Nina's School of Dance and also attended and danced at her arts high school. She was trained in all styles, with a focus on contemporary, which remains her favorite style of dance. She plans on joining an international dance company post-graduation that practices Christian ministry, before returning to school to become either a biblical counselor or a neuropsychologist. And wants to continue to teach and choreograph in her free time. 

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INTERN, ALABI ORISADELE

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A native of Raleigh, NC, Alabi is a performer, producer and candidate for a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Dance with a concentration in Modern Dance forms from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His artistic interests are in modern, contemporary and African diaspora techniques. Alabi's research focuses on the benefits of kinesiological movement of the body and its uses for therapy and rehabilitation across various populations including athletes and performing artists. Along his journey, he hopes to connect with those around and build a sense of community and appreciation for the arts across all cultures.

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INTERN, RILEY MCGOWAN

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Riley McGowan is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She majors in Dance with a concentration in Performance, Choreography, and Theory. She also minors in English. Riley is from China Grove, North Carolina. She has been dancing since the
age of 3 beginning at Center Stage Dance Company where she spent 15 years there doing competitive dance. She has trained in all styles of dance and continues to train in a variety of styles at her university. Riley hopes to pursue a career dancing professionally after college while
also teaching and choreographing.

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INTERN, SYDNEY LIN 

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Sydney Lin is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She majors in supply chain and operations management with a minor in dance. She is from Cary, NC, where she trained at Cary Dance Productions for 10 years and focused on all styles of dance. At UNC Charlotte, Sydney is a member of Range of Motion Dance Ensemble. The group focuses on commercial styles of dance such as jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and provides many performance and educational opportunities throughout the year.

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INTERN, AMAREE RATLIFF

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Amaree Ratliff is a sophomore at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is pursuing a degree in Dance, with a concentration in Performance, Choreography, and Theory. Amaree also plans to pursue further education in Veterinary Science. She has been dancing at The Academy Of Dance Arts in Winston Salem, NC since she was 14 years old. She also attended an arts high school where she was exposed to dance and music. Amaree has trained in many genres of dance but Modern continues to be her favorite. However, she has a very strong love for ballet. Amaree hopes to join a dance company after her education. She wants to open her own dance studio that is available to aspiring dancers who may not otherwise have dance available. 

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INTERN, REBECCA STINES

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Rebecca Stines grew up in Apex, NC and trained competitively in all styles of dance at the Academy for the Performing Arts for 12 years. Rebecca has been a dance instructor for 8 years. She began teaching in early childhood education 4 years ago. Rebecca is currently a Social Work major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Rebecca has a passion for helping others and giving back to the community. She aspires to become a therapist after graduation.

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