Cortney Taylor Key

CORTNEY TAYLOR KEY is a dynamic dance artist, educator, and creative originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. She began training in both competitive dance and classical ballet at Northwest School of the Arts and BB Dance Productions—where, in 2004, she first stepped into the role of teacher to help pay for her own dance classes. That early experience sparked a passion for teaching that continues to this day. 

 

Miss Key earned her BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, after beginning her undergraduate studies at North Carolina A&T State University. In 2024, she completed her Master’s in Dance Education with a concentration in Cultural Congruency in Ballet—reflecting her deep commitment to reshaping how ballet is taught, honored, and passed on. 

 

Professionally, Miss Key trained in the Professional Training Program at Dance Theatre of Harlem under Robert Garland, then went on to apprentice with renowned companies such as the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Francesca Harper Project, and Brooklyn Ballet. She has appeared as a guest artist with South Carolina Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and Collage Dance Collective. In 2017, she had the distinct honor of working with the late Arthur Mitchell during his historic exhibition at Columbia University. 

 

Miss Key continues to perform professionally while also teaching ballet and pointe at both The Ailey School and Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she currently leads Level 6. She also offers private coaching to serious ballet students and emerging artists. Known for her warm but disciplined approach, Miss Key brings her students a wealth of knowledge, a deep respect for tradition, and a belief in the transformative power of culturally rooted dance education. 

 

She is thrilled to be working with the bright students of this year’s Summer Intensive and looks forward to pouring into each dancer with love, rigor, and legacy.