by Corey Bliss
In the summer of 2005, NJDTE alumnus Darwin Black (2006) attended his first NJDTE Summer Intensive on full scholarship at the age of 15. Artistic Director Nancy Turano saw untapped potential in Darwin: he had great physical facility and a strong presence, but limited exposure to ballet and modern techniques. After just two years of training at NJDTE, Darwin matured into a virtuosic dancer and a confident, engaging performer. He went on to study on fellowship at The Ailey School before embarking upon a prolific and successful career dancing with renowned companies, including Sacramento Ballet, Miami Contemporary Dance Company, RIOULT and more. Now entering his third season with TU Dance in St. Paul, MN, Darwin is inspiring the next generation of aspiring dancers by teaching Horton-based modern technique to inner city youth at the company's school. Darwin speaks candidly about his childhood and growing up in Newark, NJ, and how NJDTE changed the course of his life:
 Darwin in Jean Emile's "Talk to Her" at NJDTE. Photo by Juliana Thomas. | "NJDTE gave me an outlet and a healthy, safe place to go on the weekends. Getting up early on Sundays was a thrill and the best part of my week. I saw possibilities and new opportunities for myself. It was a doorway to a different world than the one I grew up in." |
For Darwin, who "loves being a role model and a big brother," giving back to communities like his native Newark through teaching is even more inspiring than performing, his admitted "first love."
"Being able to relate to my students and their experiences helps me to stay focused and motivates me to keep learning and growing as a performer." |  Photo by Kieshalia Stephens, courtesy of PinkAfterGlow |
Darwin teaching a modern class at TU Dance. Photo by Jeffrey Thompson, courtesy MPR News.
Darwin credits NJDTE with empowering him to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He hopes to return to Newark some day to start his own program for inner city youth, because "NJDTE was inspiring, and I want to inspire back." He shares this advice for young dancers as they strive to overcome their own obstacles and meet new challenges:
"Stay open, always listen and be able to receive. Make yourself available for anything your body and mind can do, and have confidence in that."
Read more about Darwin's work with TU Dance and their dance education initiatives, and mark your calendar for TU Dance at the Joyce Theater in NYC in January 2016!
