FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Angelia Bendolph

Four Area Youth To Study At The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre In New York City This Summer

Left to Right Standing: Kelli Foster and Ryan Arnold  Front Row: Diedre Graham and Tyra Jackson

Four local Mobile County Public middle and high school students, Ryan Arnold, Kelli Foster, Diedre Graham and Tyra Jackson, auditioned and were accepted to participate in the acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Summer Dance Intensive in New York City from June 20—Aug.4, 2005. They will participate in the professional and junior divisions for their respective age groups.

There will be several opportunities to meet the talented artists and provide support:

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005

Car Wash

9 a.m.—4 p.m.

Walmart Store (Interstate Hwy 65 North, Beltline at Dauphin Street)

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2005

Recital and Reception

4 p.m.—7 p.m.

West Regional Public Library Meeting Room (Grelot Road @ University Blvd). 

The IMANI fundraiser is devoted to assisting these talented and motivated students who are making a difference in our community. --Cheryl Gavin, General Chairperson and Denise Posey, Co-Chairperson. To make a donation toward this effort, make your checks payable to:

IMANI    

c/o SouthTrust/Wachovia Bank

 Post Office Box 1508

Mobile, Alabama 36633-9981

 Attn:  Sandy AL 1444

Ryan Arnold is a sophomore at LeFlore Magnet and Performing Arts High School where he is a member of the Moving Images Dance Company, and is concentrating in Communications and the Arts. He began his studies at Old Shell Rd and Dunbar Magnet Schools for the Performing Arts. He has performed with the Melange and Lynn Robinson Dance Companies. While studying in the Junior Division at Alvin Ailey, he will compete in the 2005 Tremaine Regional Dance Competition. He is a member of the Delaware Street Baptist Church.

Kelli Foster  is a sophomore at the John L. LeFlore Magnet and Performing Arts High School, where she is a member of the Moving Images Dance Company and is a Junior Varsity cheerleader. Since 2003, she has been a member of the Mobile Ballet dance company. She has studied with Sheffield School of the Dance. Kelli is also a Vice President with the youth of Jack and Jill, Inc. During the summer, Kelli will study in Alvin Ailey’s Junior Division. She is a member of the Franklin Street Baptist Church.

Diedre Graham is an eighth grade student at the Phillips Preparatory School where she serves as Treasurer of the SGA, a 2004-05 cheerleader, and a member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). She has been a member of Mobile Ballet Company since 2004 and she is also a student at Sheffield School of the Dance. She is a member of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in the Performing Dance Ministry and an instructor in the inauguration of Mt. Hebron’s Christian Dance Studio. Diedre is also a Duke University Talent Identification Program participant, a member of the Delta Sigma Theta’s Delta Academy and Volunteer Mobile’s Impact Club. Deidre will study in Ailey’s Junior Division this summer.

Tyra Jackson is a rising junior at W. P. Davidson High School.  She is a member of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church’s Performing Dance Ministry, a Dance Instructor and a Choreographer. Summer of 2004, she served as an Instructor, Choreographer and Performer with other Mt. Hebron dancers in a recital for the inauguration of Mt. Hebron’s Dance Studio.  She has studied with Sheffield School of the Dance and Pensacola Junior College’s 2004 summer program. This coming summer, Tyra will study in the Professional Division with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.

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Published with permission by Angelia Bendolph

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