DTH Student Spotlight
Nia Lyons
DTH Student
Collage Dance Collective Company Member
DTH students are able to reach incredible heights that continually make us proud. Congratulations to DTH Student Nia Lyons for becoming a new company member with our friends, Collage Dance Collective. We are proud to have watched Nia grow into an amazing dancer over the years and can’t wait to see what is in store for her. Read our interview below to learn more about Nia and her dance journey :
How long have you studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem?
I started studying at Dance Theatre of Harlem during my first summer intensive in 2014, at the age of 16, while still living in Chicago. I returned the summer of 2016 for my second summer intensive program after graduating from the Chicago High School of the Arts. I auditioned and was accepted into Dance Theatre of Harlem year-round program in 2016. I stayed [in New York] and trained rigorously until March of 2020. In total, I studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem over the past 6 years.
How has your training and experiences at Dance Theatre of Harlem shaped your readiness to become a full-time dancer?
My training at Dance Theatre of Harlem prepared me to become a full-time dancer by providing advanced training, structure and amazing guidance/advice to prepare me for a future career in the world of dance. I’ve made it a habit to record all of the corrections and critiques offered by my instructors which has helped me to prepare myself for the intense audition season.
How has dance made you into the person you are today?
I started in ballet at the age of 3, but was not initially interested enough to put in the work necessary to progress in the art form, so by the age of 6 I decided to pursue other hobbies and sports. After many experiences, I was drawn back to dance and decided that I really wanted to become a professional ballet dancer and was ready to put in the work, time, and dedication necessary to accomplish my goal. Within the years of training I have become disciplined, independent, focused, strong and humble as I learned these were necessary traits to become a great dancer and honestly a good human being.
What was your overall audition experience like, and what did you learn from it?
Overall my audition experience was amazing, yet mentally and physically demanding. For my first few auditions, I was very nervous because of my lack of experience for “company” auditions. I soon learned that by proper preparation, thanks to DTH, confidence within myself and in my technique that the auditions became more enjoyable. I learned that before auditioning for any company, you must research the company you are interested in, plan which auditions you want to do, and fully prepare the night before so that there are no surprises for which you are not prepared.
What are you looking forward to the most as a new company member with Collage Dance Collective?
I am looking forward to working with the company members, who have already welcomed me with open arms, as well as performing regularly and touring around the world. My favorite part about being a dancer is the rehearsal process and the final result of an amazing performance on stage. I am excited and eager to get started, get into the studio, and learn more about Collage Dance Collective!
Congratulations again Nia!
Photo credit: Nia Lyons | Photo by Victor Powell