Gena Byrd

 

Gena Byrd is a Raleigh, NC native. She met Erika in 2010 dancing in their home church and they have been "sisters" ever since. Gena began her formal dance training at the very young age of 3, and hasn't stopped moving since. At the age of 11 she founded and began choreography for the nationally-known First Baptist Church Praise Dance Ministry, where her innovations in Liturgical dance style can still be seen today. Her Liturgical and Praise Dance history has put her in such positions to perform with the likes of Richard Smallwood, Shirley Caesar, and other gospel legends. In high school, her award-winning choreography was performed countless times not only at her school and extracurricular dance studios, but across the state of North Carolina. After a special one-time performance with African dance superstar Chuck Davis, Gena joined his African American Dance Ensemble. She decided to further her dance career and formal training during the summers at Fordham University, dancing with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Ensemble, and taking tap lessons with Tim Duncan, renowned Broadway tap choreographer and performer. Gena has formal dance training and teaching experience in such styles as Ballet, Modern, Tap, Liturgical, Jazz, Hip Hop, and African, with certifications in Modern Dance Instruction, Dance Fitness, and Zumba. "Dance is more than movement. Where words fail to express, dance always speaks." "As Artistic Director, and Erika's "right hand", I hope to help lead the studio in the direction of collective and collaborative visual and performing arts. There is something here for EVERYONE!"