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Ailey/Fordham Dance Scholars

Denise Jefferson Memorial Scholarship

In 1998 an entirely new form of higher education in dance was born with the opening of the Ailey/Fordham program, with equal emphasis on professional dance training and a rigorous liberal arts education. Denise Jefferson was director of the Ailey School as the program was conceived and inaugurated in 1998 until her death in 2010. In 2012 an artistic merit scholarship was named in Denise's honor and funded by the students' performance in this annual concert and awarded to a junior and senior student each year. It is a fitting memorial for Denise who gave so much to a program and its graduates who are dancing across the country and across the world.

Ashley SimpsonAshley Simpson, FCLC '20

Hometown: Lake Worth, Florida

Ashley Simpson is currently a junior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA in dance program.

Mikaela Brandon

Mikaela Brandon, FCLC '19

Hometown: Warren, New Jersey

Mikaela Brandon is currently a senior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA in dance program. She looks forward to graduating in May 2019.

Joslin Vezeau

Joslin Vezeau, FCLC '18

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Joslin Vezeau is currently a company member with Peridance Contemporary Dance.

Lyric Anderson

Lyric Anderson, FCLC '17

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

After graduation, Lyric Anderson signed a contract to dance with the NBA Boston Celtics for the 2017-2018 season. In 2018, Anderson moved back to New York City and was a featured dancer in the movie Shirley, produced by Josephine Decker. Currently, she is an original ensemble member in the off-Broadway musical Oscar @ The Crown.

Courtney Spears

Courtney Spears, FCLC '16

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland

In 2016 and 2017, Courtney Spears traveled the world dancing as a company member of Ailey II. Spears founded a dance and management company, ArtSea Dance. In 2018, Courtney Spears became a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Brittany Ballentine

Brittany Ballentine, FCLC '15

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Brittany Ballentine is currently in her third contract as dance captain of Broadway's Cotton Club musical After Midnight on Norwegian Cruise Lines. During the off season, Brittany sets productions at Six Flags America in Maryland.