Chauniece R. Thompson, is the Owner and Executive Artistic Director of the Ballet On Wheels Dance School & Company (BOW) in Memphis, Tennessee. She describes BOW as a fun, creative and busy studio. They all work hard learning the art of dance in many genres. From Instructors to their younger students, they all take ownership in why they are here and what each student wants to accomplish. They are also an ever changing dance environment to keep up with all that goes on in the dance industry.
Dance is a joyous celebration of life. Dance is mastery of the human body. Dance is a path of personal growth. These are some of the guiding principles of Ballet On Wheels Dance School – Memphis ’ only non-profit, pre-professional, community-based classical ballet school and dance company. Student learn the fundamentals of dance while developing qualities that make for a successful and happy life: self-discipline, perseverance, creativity, and more.
She believes that what sets her dance studio apart from other dance studios is the fact that their focus is their students and with that they have 3 pre-professional dance companies where students can flourish and develop from a true dance artist perspective. BOW is also has a very strong community engagement commitment to their local community.
Chauniece’s proudest choreography moment is creating a romantic pas de deux for one of their annual dance performances. She had two amazing dancers who had great energy and that led to a more profound piece in mind body and soul.
Professional teachers provide instruction to their diverse student body in the art form and theory of classical ballet, creative movement, pointe, modern, adult ballet, and hip hop dance genres. Classes run eleven months out of the year and more advanced students can participate in master class dance intensives and audition or be selected for their acclaimed, Ballet On Wheels Theatre of Dance, a pre-professional youth dance company.
In Chauniece opinion, it takes a while for dancers to both dance and be able to interpret choreography, sometimes leaving a lot to be desired. She calls it the “robot effect”– where it’s all technical and no passion. She starts with young dancers being really descriptive about choreography and what’s really going on in the piece. She believes this helps with breaking down the barrier of just dancing and performing dance steps versus dancing within your inner soul.
Chauniece has four specific goals for the studio. First, she wants a new website design. Also, she looks forward to presenting their first ever winter dance performance. In addition, she is planning on increasing summer enrollment. And, lastly, she wants to create more community collaborations and partnerships.
BOW sponsors annual innovative dance projects and community service dance events throughout the city. They also take their name literally, teaching classes in numerous Memphis City Schools and local youth organizations. Community service also figures prominently in the school’s curriculum. They believe in developing all sides of students’ lives, and helping the less fortunate is one way to instill gratitude and appreciation for the blessings they have.
Most important, though, they make learning ballet fun, and celebrate the art of dance in its many forms.
Governed by a professional board, BOW is a member of the National Dance Association, Tennessee Association of Dance and is an affiliate member of Arts Memphis.
Perhaps their mission statement best sums up their goal: to develop and define art education and appreciation of classical ballet and other dance genres for youth of diverse backgrounds through structured classes, discipline, use of performance exposure opportunities creative expression.
Chauniece’s students think that she is very funny in the studio. She believes that laugher sometimes gives way to a huge learning result. Over time, it is her goal for each dancer to gain accountability not just for themselves, but the school in general. BOW starts early by building a strong entrepreneurial spirit for all students who have the desire to dream and learn the basics.
Dance runs in the blood of Chauniece R. Thompson, founder of BOW, Memphis’ first non-profit, pre-professional African American ballet school and dance company.
Chauniece first donned her ballet shoes at the tender age of eight under the instruction of George Latimer at Ballet South / Tennessee Ballet Company. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she landed parts with the company in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, The Red Shoes, Peter and the Wolf, and Cinderella. Her crowning achievement at the company was her 1986 selection for the role of Clara in The Nutcracker, which made her the first African-American female dancer to perform the part throughout the Southeastern region with a mixed professional ballet company—a truly landmark event that received critical accolades.
Continuing her professional journey, Chauniece joined the River City Ballet Company in the early 1990s as a principal dancer under the tutelage of the world-renowned dancer/director/choreographer Carlton Lee Johnson. While studying under Mr. Johnson, she performed title roles in the majority of River City’s performances, including: “Beauty” in Beauty in the Beast, “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz and “Clara” in The Nutcracker.
Having fulfilled her ambitions on the stage, Chauniece decided to pursue another dream: the founding of her own dance school. As the Artistic Director of Ballet On Wheels Dance School & Company, Chauniece provides her students with the same rigorous training she received. Just as important, she strives to cultivate confidence and self-esteem in her students, and enrich the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds through the art of dance.
In 2002, BOW was birthed six months after the untimely death of the Chauniece Connor’s mentor, Carlton Lee Johnson. Johnson’s dance legacy, inspiration and true commitment to quality instruction and performance flair is very much alive in the organizations current dance culture.
Chauniece’s talent, vision and contribution to the arts has been recognized by the larger community. In 2005, she was awarded the Peace Achiever of the Month award by Clearchannel Communications. In 2008, she was selected as one of the “50 Women Who Make A Difference” by Memphis Women’s Magazine. She also was a 2008 recipient of the Epsilon Epsilon’s Prominent Black Women Award for Arts and Culture. In 2009, she was recognized for her achievement in the Arts through Top Ladies of Distinction, (Memphis Chapter) Ladies Choice Awards and a local hero through the General Mills, “Feeding Dreams” community program.
Chauniece is a native Memphian, attended the Memphis City School system, and graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Business Administration. She is currently a member of Parkway Gardens United Presbyterian Church, where she actively serves as an Elder, Worship Committee Chairperson, Praise Dance Team Choreographer, and member of the Personnel Committee.
If you would like more information about Ballet on Wheels, visit their website at www.balletonwheels.org, call them at 901-870-4348, fax them at 901-278-0171, or email them at chncnnr@aol.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, “Pin” them on Pinterest, and connect with them on Instagram.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Chauniece Connor of Ballet on Wheels.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
