Ballet and Contemporary Intensive

Join Diversity in Dance's Artistic Director, Madelynn Moreno, and DiD instructor and Houston Contemporary Dance Company dancer, Dominic Askew, for a special three-day intensive in ballet and contemporary.

About Madelynn

Madelynn Moreno began her dance training at the age of four, but started training seriously and competing with Precision Dance Academy under the instruction of Alicia McGee and Cleopatra Williams. After high school, Madelynn moved to Huntsville, Texas, in order to pursue a BFA in Dance with Sam Houston State University. There she trained under Joshua Manculich, Andy Noble, Adele Nickel, Jennifer Pontius, and many more. Although Ms. Moreno’s homebase is Houston, Texas, she has had many opportunities to perform with the Sam Houston State dance department in works by Joshua Manculich and Tyler Orcutt. A former competitive dancer herself, Madelynn has guided her competitive dance students to win numerous awards. Madelynn specializes in choreography that embodies the personality, skills, and personal strengths of each dancer.

About Dominic

Dominic grew up in Buffalo, NY. He began dancing at the age of nine, studying various techniques at Spezio’s Dance Dynamics under the instruction of Michelle Spezio Ferm, Bill Thomas, Kelly Burwick and many others. Dominic has also worked with choreographers and mentors such as Duncan Cooper, James Washington, Andy Pellick, Clifton Brown, and more. During his time at Spezio’s Dance Dynamics, Dominic was an assistant teacher and choreographer at the studio. Dominic has participated in various performances, competitions, and dance intensives such as The Joffrey Ballet summer intensive, The School at Jacob’s Pillow summer intensive, The New York City Dance Alliance summer intensive, Boston Dance theaters winter immersion project, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet summer intensive.

After graduating high school, Dominic moved to New York City to pursue studying at The Ailey School through the independent study and scholarship program. He trained under teachers such as Milton Meyers, Guillermo Asca, Hollie Wright, Michael Leon Thomas, Juan Carlos Penuela, and Earl Mosley, to name a few. During his time at The Ailey school, Dominic had the opportunity to perform in the opening Gala for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s City Center Season and also performed in works choreographed by Sonia Dawkins, Brice Mousset, and more for school concerts.

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Dominic is thrilled to enter his second season as a guest artist with Houston Contemporary Dance Company. He is very excited to continue evolving by always being a student, being inspired, and helping other dancers achieve their goals through positive reinforcement.