Ensemble

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 and performed overseas with Norwegian Creative Studios. After one season as an apprentice, Mr. Boatner is now in his first season as an Ensemble member.

Originally from Houston, Ms. Francisco graduated in 2012 from the High School of Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major. She subsequently received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in 2016 from Point Park University with repertoire from Jessica Lang, Terrance Marling, Troy Powell, Bennyroyce Royon, Garfield Lemonius and MADBOOTS. In 2010, her sophomore year, her student choreography project “Tales of Courage“, was featured at the American College Dance Association Conference. After graduating from Point Park, she joined the Lula Washington Dance Theater in Los Angeles for two seasons, performing works by Kyle Abraham, Donald Bryd, Rennie Harris, Christopher Huggins and David Roussève. In 2018, Ms. Francisco moved to Denver to join the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble where she is now in her fourth season.

Born in Detroit, Ms. Goshea trained at the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts and Oakland University, receiving her BFA. She has performed with the Brown Dance Project, Patterson Rhythm and Pace, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, SMAGDance Company and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC). After being a member of Cleo II and an apprentice to the Ensemble, she is now in her tenth season with the Ensemble.

A Florida native, Ms. Lynnice began her training at the Academy of Ballet Arts and Artz 4 Life Academy, Inc. in Tampa Bay. A graduate of New World School of the Arts, she received her Bachelor in Fine Arts from The Hartt School in Hartford, CT. Touring nationally as a principle dancer with DunDu Dole West African Ballet, she performed in the Chocolate Nutcracker as ‘Claire’ and ‘The Dream Princess”. She has performed works by master choreographers including Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Doug Varone, and Darrell Grand Moultrie, and attended summer workshops with Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, RIOULT, and White Mountain Dance Festival. This is Ms. Lynnice’s fourth season with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble.

Originally from Fremont California, Ms. Maduro began training in dance under the direction of Yoko Young and later joined Nor Cal Dance Arts under the direction of Tawnya Kuzia. She has studied at the Ailey School, the Martha Graham School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and the University of California, Irvine where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance. While at UCI, she was honored in 2017 to perform as part of the distinguished Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble. She has performed works by Donald McKayle, Martha Graham, Darshan Singh Bhuller, and Tong Wang. Upon graduation, Ms. Maduro joined Cleo II, and after one season as apprentice, is now in her first season as an Ensemble member.

A California native and University of California, Irvine graduate, Ms. Sandoval received her BFA in Dance Performance. While at UC Irvine, she danced in the iconic Donald McKayle’s final Etude Ensemble, and in 2019 received the Donald McKayle Endowment for Modern Dance. A soloist in Lar Lubovitch’s “North Star”, she worked directly with Dante Puleio, Artistic Director of the Limon Dance Company. In Israel, she worked with several Israeli modern dance companies including Batsheva Dance Company, Vertigo Dance Company, and Kolben Dance Company. Having studied with the Alvin Ailey Professional Division Program and the Abraham in Motion Summer Intensive in New York City, she now joins as an apprentice with the Ensemble after two seasons with Cleo II.

A Colorado native, Ms. Slaughter began dancing at a local competitive studio before moving to St. Louis to attend Washington University where she expanded her training to include Modern and West African and received a Minor in Dance. Ms. Slaughter performed for three years with the Washington University Dance Collective (a modern dance company) and worked with multiple MFA candidates on their thesis projects. While at Washington University, she performed works by Ting-Ting Chang, Diadie Bathily, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Dana Tai Soon Burgess. Following graduation, she returned to Colorado and is now is now an apprentice with the Ensemble after one season with Cleo II.

A native of Atlanta, GA., Devrae “DJ” Jefferson is now in his first season as an Apprentice to the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. He 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 Ballethnic Dance 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.

Originally from Washington, D. C., Mr. Gaines began his dance training at Divine Dance Institute and trained under scholarship at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Pneuma Dance Project, and in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2020, he received his BFA in Dance and Business Management at Goucher College. Mr.Gaines has performed as a company member with Dance Iquail!, Sound Xpressed, and Contemporary West Dance Theatre. Additionally, he performed in productions of Mary Poppins, Wonderland, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Tuacahn Amphitheater and performed in the original cast for the very first musical in Saudi Arabia, presented by the Royal family. He now joins Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble for his first season.

Mr. Rogers is a performer and choreographer hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.