Destiny Dance Amazing Team for the 2023-2024 School Year!
April Lawyer/Founder/CEO of Destiny Dance
April's journey into the world of dance began during her formative years, ignited by her participation in a local theater program and a church-affiliated dance troupe. This initial spark ignited a lifelong passion that guided her toward a career in dance. Her formal dance education took shape at Towson University, where she underwent rigorous training under the mentorship of distinguished figures including Linda-Denise Fisher, Stephanie Powell, and acclaimed choreographers Jayne Bernasconi and Vincent Thomas.
April has carved her expertise in modern dance techniques, showcasing a diverse skill set encompassing ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and jazz dance forms. Her professional trajectory includes a notable stint as a member of the highly-regarded Full Circle Dance Company, under the visionary direction of Donna Jacobs, spanning over a decade. The depth of her experience in modern dance fueled her aspiration to introduce a modern dance performance company to the DMV area.
With an illustrious teaching career spanning over 20 years, April stands as a seasoned educator, imparting her wealth of dance knowledge to students of all ages. Her teaching contributions have extended to esteemed institutions in the region, including Ballet Petite, The Washington School of Ballet, The James School of Dance, Community College of Baltimore County, Local Motion Studio, and Dance Dynamix. Additionally, April was actively involved with Ballet Petite’s Performance Company, taking on the role of Artistic Director for the 2016 Nutcracker and 2017 Swan Lake Productions.
Furthermore, April has extended her dance influence through her participation in the Local Motion Project dance company a in Alexandria, VA. She also enriched her journey as a member of the Lions Den Dance Company, also based in Alexandria.
April's lifelong dream has been to lead a dance studio that nurtures and guides emerging dancers of all ages within an inspiring environment. Her mission is to introduce individuals to the joy of creative arts through dance. Through Destiny Dance, she envisions dance serving as a lifelong enrichment for students of varies ages.
Adminstrative Assistant/Dance Instructor
Introducing Maya D. Gordon
Maya D. Gordon is a dynamic arts professional whose career journey spans teaching and performing arts, nurturing diverse artistic expressions, and fostering engaging learning experiences. With a keen ability to tackle challenges creatively and a natural flair for effective communication, Maya embodies adaptability and solution-oriented thinking.
Maya's educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business Entrepreneurship from Columbia College, Chicago, IL, and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH.
Maya's impactful career highlights include her role as Assistant Operations Manager for Food & Beverage - Outlets at Hyatt Hotels in Columbus, OH during 2022. In this capacity, she skillfully managed a team of 25 employees, coordinated payroll, and oversaw operations across multiple areas, from Coffee Shop to In-room Dining. Her adeptness in task delegation, streamlined procedures, and fiscal responsibility contributed to the overall efficiency and success of the department.
As a Diversity Apprentice with Experience Columbus from 2021 to 2022, Maya embarked on a journey of immersive hospitality managerial training. She gained comprehensive insights into various hotel departments, including Front Desk, Banquets, Outlets, Events/Sales, Housekeeping, and Culinary. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion was evident as she completed mandatory DEI training and contributed to community service projects, supporting marginalized communities through organizations such as Dress for Success - Columbus and Church For All People. Her engagement as a panelist conducting interviews for the next cohort of Diversity Apprentices showcased her dedication to nurturing talent.
Maya D. Gordon seamlessly combines her passion for the arts with her management acumen, demonstrating a commitment to creating inclusive environments and driving impactful projects. Her ability to foster learning opportunities while embracing diversity underscores her value as an arts professional and a proactive member of her community.
Destiny Dance Instructor
Meet Joie Mouran, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, who embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of four. She ventured into competitive dancing at Maureen’s School of Dance and completed her studies at The Governor’s School of the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia in 2018. Here, she had the privilege of training with and performing under a diverse faculty hailing from the Hampton Roads area. Currently, she is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography alongside a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies.
Within the vibrant VCU Dance community, Joie has embraced numerous opportunities. She has showcased her talent in various student works and had the honor of performing in pieces by esteemed faculty member Scott Putman, as well as the renowned Urban Bush Women. Joie also took her creative expression to the forefront by presenting her debut work titled "BLK IS...". This piece delves into the multifaceted dimensions of Blackness while also shining a light on the essence of Black womanhood. "BLK IS..." is a celebration that resonates with themes of pride, comfort, and community, while also emphasizing the rich diversity encapsulated in Black identity and the significance of Black hair. Joie believes these ideals play a crucial role in nurturing the growth of young Black women.
As she progresses on her dance journey, Joie envisions a future where she continues to dance professionally. She eagerly anticipates delving even deeper into her creative identity, exploring her roles as an artist, teacher, and choreographer.
Sydney Lauren Painter is a 20-year-old from Winchester, Virginia where she danced under the direction of Denna Smith at the Inwood Dance Company for 15 years. During those years she trained in ballet, tap/jazz, contemporary, modern, and Irish step dance. Sydney’s passion for choreography and contemporary dance led her to achieve two chosen pieces titled “Depersonalization” and “Who I Am” which were both performed at the Regional Dance America Southeast Festivals in 2021 and 2022. Sydney has attended numerous summer dance intensives including West Virginia University Summer Dance Academy, Southeast Alabama Dance Company’s Summer Intensive, Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, and The National Choreography Intensive. During her dance career, Sydney has danced the following: The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Deux, Arabian Princess Deux, and The Nutcracker), Coppelia (Prayer Solo), Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Don Quixote, Cinderella, and Le Corsaire. In 2018, Sydney was chosen by her instructors and peers to receive the Brandeis Wilson Memorial Scholarship for her dedication to dance. In 2019, she was selected for the Dorothy Ewing Memorial scholarship The recipient must possess the characteristics of leadership, dedication, love of dance, and the gift of friendship. Throughout the years, Sydney has attended multiple dance festivals including Dance Works, Dance West Virginia, and Regional Dance America Southeast Dance Festival. Sydney is also a member of the Royal Academy of Dance. After high school graduation, she furthered her dance career at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia and West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Dance Instructor
Introducing Kathryn Eurich
Kathryn Eurich, a dedicated figure in the dance community, brings a wealth of expertise to the world of movement arts. With a passion ignited at a young age, she has cultivated a career that blends artistic direction, teaching, and creative expression.
As a Dance Teacher at the Academy of Russian Ballet in Herndon, VA since September 2019, Kathryn guides students aged 3 to 18 through the intricacies of ballet and jazz. Her commitment to nurturing young talent is underscored by her role as the Artistic Director of CrossRoads Dance Theater in Reston, VA—a venture she founded in 2001. This institution has flourished under her guidance, specializing in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance, offering a platform for dancers to explore their potential.
Kathryn's impact reverberates further through her tenure as a Dance Teacher at Classical Ballet Theater in Herndon, VA from September 2017 to June 2019. Here, she imparted the nuances of classical ballet to students across various levels and ages.
In addition to her dedication to traditional dance forms, Kathryn's versatile expertise extends to the dynamic realm of Zumba. She served as a Zumba Instructor at Kids in Motion in Reston, VA from January 2017 to May 2017, where she led energetic Zumba sessions for after-school students at a local public elementary school.
Kathryn's academic foundation is rooted in her pursuit of a B.F.A. in Dance from George Mason University in the USA. Her educational journey, spanning from September 1998 to May 2000, further nurtured her passion and equipped her with a solid understanding of the art.
With a fervor for dance education and artistic expression, Kathryn Eurich continues to enrich the lives of students and dance enthusiasts, fostering a profound appreciation for movement, creativity, and discipline.
Dance Instructor
Meet Nikki Stone, a dance enthusiast who discovered the enchanting world of dance at the tender age of 6. Captivated by the boundless expressive potential of movement and music, Nikki's journey into the realm of dance began. Growing up within the dance competition circuit, she honed her skills while simultaneously undergoing training at ballet schools across Northern Virginia.
Nikki's dedication to her craft led her to prioritize her artistic development, resulting in her completion of high school studies online. This step allowed her to focus on nurturing her artistry at East Coast Movement, guided by the mentorship of Billy Larson. During her teenage years, Nikki experienced the thrill of performing works by renowned choreographers, including Billy Larson at the Painted Bride Theatre and Joyce Theatre. She also graced the stage under the direction of Marinda Davis in the New York premiere of "UnBreakable" at Salvatore Capezio Theatre.
As her dance journey continued, Nikki transitioned into teaching during her senior year of high school. This passion evolved into a pursuit of excellence, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from George Mason University. Her time at the university offered her the privilege of performing distinguished pieces by acclaimed choreographers such as Camille Brown, Robert Battle, and Luis Torres Ortiz, alongside exceptional student choreographers. Guided by the direction of Susan Shields, the School of Dance empowered Nikki to refine her voice as a choreographer, earning her recognition and awards in regional dance competitions.
Nikki's dance accomplishments extend to performances at prestigious venues, including the Harris Theatre, the Center for the Arts, the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, and the Capezio ACE awards.
With great enthusiasm, Nikki Stone looks forward to collaborating with her fellow dance educators at Destiny Dance. Her mission is to impart the intrinsic value of movement and creativity to the next generation of aspiring artists, igniting their passion for dance.
