DTH Student Spotlight
Gabriella Alleyne
DTH Student
Class of 2020 Graduate
DTH School Student Gabriella Alleyne is a talented dancer and a 2020 high school graduate. Read our interview with her below as she discusses her dance journey, her advice for upcoming applicants on auditioning for college and more:
How long have you studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem?
I’ve studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem since I was 10 years old, so I’ve been at DTH for 8 years.
How has your training and experiences at Dance Theatre of Harlem shaped your readiness for college and college dance?
I think that the performance opportunities I have been given and the skills I have learned have made me into the dancer I am today. The performance opportunities I have been given over my eight years at DTH has helped me develop my artistry and the way I approach movement. I have been able to work with amazing teachers in classes and rehearsals. They have taught me and helped me develop my technique, the way I pick up choreography, dedication, and more. I believe that all of the skills I’ve learned will help me in college as a dance major.
How has dance made you the person you are today?
Dance has always been a big part of my life since I was little. And from a young age, dance has taught me about discipline and dedication. Through the long hours of classes and rehearsals, I have been able to learn what it means to truly be dedicated to something.
Now looking back at my life, the way I approached my school work and my other extracurriculars have been with the same skills I have learned from dance. I owe a lot of who I am to dance. I have been able to balance my rigorous academic work, along with my dance schedule.
As a Brown Girls Do Ballet ambassador, what tips would you give young dancers looking to gain partnerships or become ambassadors at such a young age?
If you want to gain partnerships or become an ambassador for different brands surrounding dance, I suggest developing your social media presence on a platform like Instagram or YouTube. To develop your social media presence you will have to post consistently and show your true self. When you’re posting it doesn’t always have to be photos from photoshoots, but it can be videos and pictures from after your classes, from performances, and from home (especially because we are in quarantine). When you are posting, be genuine because people want to follow someone because they want to get to know them, so show your personality and who you are through the videos and pictures you post.
To become an ambassador or get different partnerships usually there is a number of followers you have to have. But don’t be shy to reach out to brands to ask about their ambassador programs or ask to do a collaboration with them. Brands are always looking for different people to represent and get the word out about them. Also, my biggest tip would be to not be scared of hearing no. Reach out because that is the worst that they can say. By reaching out, you might get an opportunity that you didn’t know you would get originally. Take every no as a learning experience. Continue to build relationships with different brands that speak to who you are.
As an incoming freshman dance major, what advice would you give to seniors based on your college search experience of auditioning and choosing a school?
Start preparing early, earlier than you think you should! Since you are applying as a dance major, it is going to be twice as much work because you will have extra applications, video submissions, and auditions. You will have to stay very organized through this process because there are a lot of important dates that you don’t want to miss. It will be stressful, but also a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed the auditions I went to. The auditions will be different from typical summer intensive auditions because you will probably be asked to either audition in different styles (ballet, modern, contemporary, etc.), perform a solo or do both. But through the audition process, you will be able to get a feel for what that dance program and college is like. There will be opportunities to take classes with current students and speak to the teachers. You should also talk to current students about their experiences as well. Through the auditions I attended, I was able to get to know each school and it helped me when choosing which college I wanted to go to.
When choosing a school, don’t just choose it based on a specific program or the school name. Really think about whether or not you think you’ll be a good fit at that school. When looking for what school I wanted to go to, I researched the community, what the school valued, the size of the school, what they offered, the location, the sports presence, sororities, and the clubs. I suggest that you talk to current students at the school and ask them questions about their experiences and what they are involved in. Through researching about each school you’ll be able to get a better sense of what you want in a school and where you think you’ll fit best.
Congratulations again Gabriella!
Photo credit: Gabriella Alleyne | Photo by Tiana Kargbo