Ensemble

From Washington, DC, Ms. Blake began her formal training at BalletNova Center for Dance in Arlington, VA. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the tutelage of Charles Augins, Sandra Fortune-Greene, & Katherine Smith. Ms. Blake has also studied with various company institutions such as Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem at the Strathmore, and Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive. Blake graduated from Southern Methodist University, with a BFA in Dance Performance and BS in Education & Human Development. While being a full-time student at SMU, she joined B.Moore Dance. She has performed in choreographic works by Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Robert Battle, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Silas Farley, Nicole Clarke-Springer, and many more. Ms. Blake joined the Ensemble in 2022. Now entering her third season, Ms. Blake has performed at Jacob’s Pillow & Vail Dance Festival with the CPRD Ensemble.

Born in Chicago, IL and growing up in Hammond IN, Mr. Boatner trained in multiple dance techniques at the Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts. An alum of Indiana University, he performed there in notable works including Kyle Abrahams Radio Show,Jose Limon’s Psalm, Andrea Millers Spill, Jerome Robbins Fanfare, and the original restaging of Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe and Rennie Harris’ Home. He has also toured professionally with Elizabeth Shea Dance in Philadelphia and New York, performed overseas with Norwegian Creative Studios and toured with Anita Baker during her Songstress tour. After one season as an apprentice, Mr. Boatner is now in his fifth season as a Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble member.

A native of Denver, CO, Mr. Dominguez graduated from Anderson University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and has since made significant strides in his dance career. Most recently, he performed with Dance Kaleidoscope under the direction of Joshua Blake Carter, and previously under the guidance of David Hochoy. He has also had the privilege of dancing with Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, where he further developed his artistry. He has had the pleasure of performing works by renowned choreographers including David Hochoy, Joshua Blake Carter, Earl Mosley, Nicole Springer, Eddy Ocampo, Sidra Bell, Christal Brown, Alexander Diaz, Vincent Hardy, and Matthew Rushing. Additionally, he spent his summers training at Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, enhancing his skills and artistic expression. Having been a guest artist with Cleo II, he is now in his first season as an Apprentice to the Ensemble.

Originally from Houston, TX, Ms. Francisco began her training at the Fine Arts Magnet School and graduated from The High School of Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major under the directions of Luanne Carter and Janie Carothers in 2012. She continued her education and received her Bachelors of Fine Arts 2016 from Point Park University while having an esteemed repertoire from Jessica Lang, Terrance Marling, Troy Powell, Bennyroyce Royon, Garfield Lemonius and MADBOOTS. In her sophomore year of 2010, her student choreography project Tales of Courage was chosen to be featured at ACDA for the University. Six months after graduating from Point Park, she joined the Lula Washington Dance Theater in Los Angeles, CA for two seasons performing works by Kyle Abraham, Donald Bryd, Rennie Harris, Christopher Huggins and David Roussève. Ms.Francisco moved to Denver, CO to begin her journey with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. She is now in her seventh season as an Ensemble member as well as the Company’s Assistant, serving also as the Children’s Director for the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy.

A native of Atlanta, GA., Devrae “DJ” Jefferson began his training in the Magnet Program for Visual and Performing arts at Tri-Cities HS where he focused on all genres of dance. With a special affinity for ballet, he attended summer programs including Metropolitan Ballet Theater and Lines Contemporary Ballet. Having furthered his training, he subsequently received a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem NC. Mr. Jefferson has performed with BallethnicDance Company and Dallas Black Dance Theater Encore. With extensive experience in coaching gymnastics and teaching a variety of dance techniques, he first joined Cleo Parker Robinson Dance as a guest artist for the holiday production Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum before becoming an Apprentice to the Ensemble.  He is now in his first season as an Ensemble member.

Samiyah Lynnice is a Florida native. She began her training at Academy of Ballet Arts and DunDu Dole Urban African Ballet in the Tampa Bay Area, Fl. Miss Lynnice is a graduate of New World School of the Arts and has a BFA in dance from The Hartt School in Hartford, CT. She has performed works by Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Doug Varone, Norbert DeLaCruz, Donald McKayle, Manuel Vignoulle, Brian Arias, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernandez, and Katherine Dunham. Her sophomore year of college, she performed at the Joyce Theater during the Jose Limon International Dance Festival. She has performed with Anita Baker for The Songstress tour, at the American Dance Festival premiering the commissioned work Resist by Micaela Taylor in 2019, and the Vail International Dance Festival where she premiered Standing on the Shoulders by Cleo Parker Robinson in 2021. Miss Lynnice was nominated for a Princess Grace award and performed the prestigious role of Firebird last year. Samiyah is elated to start her seventh season with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, based out of Colorado.

Originally from Fremont CA, Ms. Maduro began her dance training at Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy and Nor Cal Dance Arts. She has attended Summer Intensives with the Ailey School, the Martha Graham School, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance. While at UCI, she was honored to perform as part of the distinguished Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble. She has performed works by Donald McKayle, Martha Graham, Darshan Singh Bhuller among others. Upon graduation, Ms. Maduro joined Cleo II. After one season with the second company, she joined the Ensemble, where she is now in her fifth season.

Mr. Rogers is a performer and choreographer hailing from Philadelphia, PA. Having graduated from The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, he later earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. During his college career, he toured and performed with Eleone Dance Theatre under the direction and mentorship of Shawn-Lamere Williams. He has trained at various institutions throughout the Philadelphia area as a scholarship student attending Koresh School of Dance, DCNS Summer Dance Intensive and the Rock School for Dance Education. Following graduation, he joined the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!) as a full-time company artist. He has performed works by Sidra Bell, Kyle & Dinita Clark, Merce Cunningham, Ulysses Dove, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Helen Simoneau, Rennie Harris and other acclaimed choreographers. He now joins Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for his second season with the Ensemble.

Lauren Slaughter, a Colorado native, began her dance training at Miller’s Dance Studio where her love for dance grew through ballets, showcases, and competitions. Lauren is a 2020 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she earned a B.A. in Biology and a Minor in Dance. At the University, she danced with the Washington University Dance Collective and performed works by choreographers such as Ting-Ting Chang, Diadie Bathily, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Dana Tai Soon Burgess. Following graduation, Lauren returned to Colorado where she began her professional dance career with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. With the company, she has performed works by Donald McKayle, Christopher Huggins, Milton Myers, and Gary Abbott among several others, as well as toured at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Lauren first joined the company as a Cleo II member, and after a season as an Apprentice, is now in her first season as an Ensemble member.

William Davis, a native of Fresno, California, always loved to dance but didn’t get serious with formal training until his sophomore year of high school. It ignited an intense passion that has blossomed in the last four years. Mr. Davis trained at Roosevelt High School of the Arts in Fresno, California along with Severance Ballet Conservatory (California Arts Academy Fresno).  After graduating, he trained at Fresno City College for a year before being picked up by Bay Pointe Ballet. While at Bay Pointe Ballet, he had the opportunity to study with the Chocolate Heads at Stanford University. After moving back to Fresno, Mr. Davis opened Revive Dance Company with two other founders in 2015. In 2019, Davis created a branch of Revive called Haux of Bougieé that works with local LGBTQ artists to put on shows and events.

From Upper Marlboro, MD, Ms. Massey is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she received a dual degree in Dance (B.A.) and Information Systems (B.S.) with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. She began her formal training under the tutelage of Vicki Wooten Tchanque. Simultaneously, she trained at The Washington School of Ballet. During her college career, she has performed with the Baltimore Dance Project, and at venues such as the REACH/Kennedy Center and the Baltimore Lights Festival. Additionally, her choreographic work, Between You & Me (2021), was selected to be in the American College Dance Association’s gala concert. Upon graduation, Ms. Massey received two Departmental Honors from the UMBC Dance Department. She has performed works by Shaness Kemp, Brandon Perry Russel, Ann Sofie Clemmenson, Doug Hamby, Nicole Clarke-Springer, and Tracey Franklin. She has also had the opportunity to attend intensives with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance. This is Ms. Massey’s first season with Cleo II.

Jesús David Muñoz is a Latin dance artist and percussionist within Mexican, Cuban, Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary dance techniques. Muñoz is a recent MFA in Dance Graduate at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Department of Theatre & Dance and he holds a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma, Department of Dance. Alongside his contemporary dance work, Muñoz continues his involvement in the Latin dance community as a freelance dance artist, educator, performer, and choreographer.

Melvin Sutton (Raleigh NC) holds a B.S in Rehabilitation Studies & Human services from Winston-Salem State University and a 2022 MFA (DANCE) graduate from the University of The Arts. He began his dance training under the direction of Susan Hill and Lisa Wilder. He has trained in a wide range of dance styles and performed and toured with Theatre of Movement arts organization directed by Duane Cyrus, North Carolina Black Repertory Company’s Black Nativity directed by Mable Robinson and more. He has had the pleasure to study dance with numerous luminaries such as Shani Collins, Baba Chuck Davis, Karen Mcdonald, Debbie Allen, Milton Myers and many more. Mr. Sutton performed at the Special Olympic World Games in 2015 with artists Stevie Wonder, Becky G and J Balvin and has worked with international recording Gospel artists Walt Wittman in 2012. Mr. Sutton made history in 2021 as one of the first male cheerleaders for the Carolina Panthers 2021-2022 season! Mr. Sutton continues to share his passion for the arts with the next generation extending his choreographic service through Mellow movement, where he creates a blend of all styles from contemporary, hip-hop, and jazz dance forms. This is Melvin’s 3rd season in Cleo II and first season as assistant rehearsal director.

Jasmine Valencia is a Colorado Native who grew up in Aurora, Colorado. Jasmine is a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While at MSU Denver, Jasmine attended the American College Dance Association twice, performing in the informal and formal concerts. Through MSU Denver’s partnership with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Jasmine received most of her training under current and past CPRD ensemble members in Ballet, Graham, Horton, Jazz and more. Jasmine has participated in the International Summer Dance Institute at CPRD for the past three summers as well as recently participated at the Summer Dance Intensive at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Jasmine has previously received acceptance and scholarships to the summer programs at Ruth Page Dance Center, American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, and Alabama State University. Jasmine was invited to be an apprentice to Cleo II in August of 2023, and is now in her second season apprenticing with Cleo  II.

Nasira is a dance artist born and bred in Cleveland Ohio. She began her educational dance training at Cleveland School of the Arts where she trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles for 9 years. Following that, she went on to continue her dance training at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, with a focus in contemporary dance. She then went on to study at The Ailey School in New York City. Nasira has trained, studied and worked with many world renowned dance artists and choreographers such as Robert Battle, Christopher Huggins, Troy Powell, Darrell Moultrie, Ronald Alexander and Caridad Martinez, amongst many others.

Koura Wright was born in Ithaca, NY, to a mother from Mali, and a father from upstate New York. At 10 years old, Koura moved  to Knoxville, TN where she began her dance training with  Amy Morton Vaughan, and later attended Austin-East Magnet High School where she studied Graham, Horton, and Humphrey techniques, as well as West African dance. Koura attended the University of Vermont and performed on the dance team, then became a company member with the Ithaca Ballet. She attended the Ailey School, then became a guest artist, the soloist, with the Appalachian Ballet Company. In 2020, she graduated with a B.S. in Dance Performance and Choreography from Middle Tennessee State University. She moved to Las Vegas to dance with Contemporary West Dance Theater, under the direction of Bernard Gaddis, and became the director of the Youth Training Division for the school. Some of her favorite roles were in “Night Creature” by Alvin Ailey, “Vespers”by Ulysses Dove, and “Uninvited” by Jeneane Huggins. She went on to be the director of the youth program for Live Arts, with Avree Walker, and performed in a Tina Turner Tribute show. This is her first season as a member of Cleo II, and she is excited to be a part of this amazing group of artists. Koura also hula hoops and has a cat named Carebear.