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Aug. 10, 2020 Update Fordham Forward, the plan to resume in-person teaching and learning on Aug. 26, is available below, along with extensive resources for students, parents, faculty, and staff. Full Details

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.

Scholars

Naya Hutchinson

Naya Hutchinson, FCLC '21

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Naya Hutchinson is currently a junior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA in dance program.

Ashley SimpsonAshley Simpson, FCLC '20

Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida

As a senior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance, Ashley Simpson is a company member of Collage Dance Collective in Memphis, Tennessee. She looks forward to graduating in May 2020.

Mikaela Brandon

Mikaela Brandon, FCLC '19

Hometown: Warren, New Jersey

Following graduation, Mikaela Brandon was invited to attend Springboard Danse Montréal in Montréal, QC, Canada where she worked with numerous world-renowned dance artists/companies. Currently, Mikaela is dancing in Hubbard Street’s Professional Program (HSPro) in Chicago, Illinois under the direction of Alexandra Wells.

Joslin Vezeau

Joslin Vezeau, FCLC '18

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

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

Lyric Anderson

Lyric Danae, FCLC '17

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

Lyric Danae made her Broadway debut with The Lion King (Rafiki Tour) in December 2019. Her other favorite credits include The Bodyguard, Oscar at The Crown, and the NBA Boston Celtics.

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. Courtney is a 2020 graduate of Harvard Business School's Crossover Into Business program.

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.