ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

NICOLE OXENDINE

Nicole Oxendine's passion for dance spans over 26 years, a passion that inspired her to dedicate her life to teaching and mentoring. Nicole has successfully taught dance at Hillside High School for ten years and is currently a part-time faculty member at North Carolina Central University, and authors the dance curriculum for the Durham Public School system. She was as a principal dancer for Bellan Contemporary Dance Theater as well. Now, Nicole is a full-time entrepreneur and owner of Empower Dance Studio.

Nicole graduated from Hollins University in 2003 with a B.A. in psychology and dance. She received her M.A. in dance/movement therapy from Columbia College Chicago in 2011 and her course of studies was focused on adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Nicole’s work in the non-profit sector is extensive, having been a program coordinator for A Long Walk Home in Chicago, a program that uses arts to advocate against sexual violence. She worked in various capacities at the prestigious American Dance Festival. Her charitable work includes founding her own non-profit organization, the Empower Dance Foundation, and she a patron of the local Boys & Girls Club. Nicole continues her philanthropic efforts, serving on the Board of Directors for The Carolina Theater of Durham and North Carolina

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JESSICA BURROUGHS

Jessica Burroughs has a passion and drive for dance that goes beyond twenty years. She has trained at Hillside High School under the direction of Lisa Wilder and Nicole Oxendine. Ms. Jessica studied Ballet at the American Dance Ensemble, Modern & Jazz with Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ballet at Orange School of Performance Arts (OSPA), and Ballet & African with Ballethnic Dance Theater.

Ms. Jessica has over 10 years of teaching experience at various studios in North Carolina and Virginia. Her office administration experience currently American Dance Festival Scripps Studio. She has been Studio Manager and Assistant Director for Ari’s House of Dance & Performance Arts Studio and Mayeisha’s Fine Arts Studios.

She has devoted her talent and love for this art in teaching, nurturing and motivating children, teenagers and young adults. She relentlessly gives back to her alma mater the Hillside High School. For the Performing Arts Department she is the Dance teaching assistant; Guest choreographer for Drama Productions; and Auxiliary Assistant for the Band. She also is the Auxiliary Assistant for Research Triangle Charter Academy; Assistant Choreographer at Lyon Park Recreation Center; and Performer and Choreographer for Durham’s Black Nativity. She is a dancer with Andrea E. Woods & Dancers SOULOWORKS and an improvisation dancer with Tony Johnson.