Destiny Dance Amazing Team for the 2023-2024 School Year!
April Lawyer/Founder/CEO of Destiny Dance
April's journey into the world of dance began during her formative years, ignited by her participation in a local theater program and a church-affiliated dance troupe. This initial spark ignited a lifelong passion that guided her toward a career in dance. Her formal dance education took shape at Towson University, where she underwent rigorous training under the mentorship of distinguished figures including Linda-Denise Fisher, Stephanie Powell, and acclaimed choreographers Jayne Bernasconi and Vincent Thomas.
April has carved her expertise in modern dance techniques, showcasing a diverse skill set encompassing ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and jazz dance forms. Her professional trajectory includes a notable stint as a member of the highly-regarded Full Circle Dance Company, under the visionary direction of Donna Jacobs, spanning over a decade. The depth of her experience in modern dance fueled her aspiration to introduce a modern dance performance company to the DMV area.
With an illustrious teaching career spanning over 20 years, April stands as a seasoned educator, imparting her wealth of dance knowledge to students of all ages. Her teaching contributions have extended to esteemed institutions in the region, including Ballet Petite, The Washington School of Ballet, The James School of Dance, Community College of Baltimore County, Local Motion Studio, and Dance Dynamix. Additionally, April was actively involved with Ballet Petite’s Performance Company, taking on the role of Artistic Director for the 2016 Nutcracker and 2017 Swan Lake Productions.
Furthermore, April has extended her dance influence through her participation in the Local Motion Project dance company a in Alexandria, VA. She also enriched her journey as a member of the Lions Den Dance Company, also based in Alexandria.
April's lifelong dream has been to lead a dance studio that nurtures and guides emerging dancers of all ages within an inspiring environment. Her mission is to introduce individuals to the joy of creative arts through dance. Through Destiny Dance, she envisions dance serving as a lifelong enrichment for students of varies ages.
Adminstrative Assistant/Dance Instructor
Introducing Maya D. Gordon
Maya D. Gordon is a dynamic arts professional whose career journey spans teaching and performing arts, nurturing diverse artistic expressions, and fostering engaging learning experiences. With a keen ability to tackle challenges creatively and a natural flair for effective communication, Maya embodies adaptability and solution-oriented thinking.
Maya's educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business Entrepreneurship from Columbia College, Chicago, IL, and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH.
Maya's impactful career highlights include her role as Assistant Operations Manager for Food & Beverage - Outlets at Hyatt Hotels in Columbus, OH during 2022. In this capacity, she skillfully managed a team of 25 employees, coordinated payroll, and oversaw operations across multiple areas, from Coffee Shop to In-room Dining. Her adeptness in task delegation, streamlined procedures, and fiscal responsibility contributed to the overall efficiency and success of the department.
As a Diversity Apprentice with Experience Columbus from 2021 to 2022, Maya embarked on a journey of immersive hospitality managerial training. She gained comprehensive insights into various hotel departments, including Front Desk, Banquets, Outlets, Events/Sales, Housekeeping, and Culinary. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion was evident as she completed mandatory DEI training and contributed to community service projects, supporting marginalized communities through organizations such as Dress for Success - Columbus and Church For All People. Her engagement as a panelist conducting interviews for the next cohort of Diversity Apprentices showcased her dedication to nurturing talent.
Maya D. Gordon seamlessly combines her passion for the arts with her management acumen, demonstrating a commitment to creating inclusive environments and driving impactful projects. Her ability to foster learning opportunities while embracing diversity underscores her value as an arts professional and a proactive member of her community.
Destiny Dance Instructor
Meet Joie Mouran, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, who embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of four. She ventured into competitive dancing at Maureen’s School of Dance and completed her studies at The Governor’s School of the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia in 2018. Here, she had the privilege of training with and performing under a diverse faculty hailing from the Hampton Roads area. Currently, she is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography alongside a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies.
Within the vibrant VCU Dance community, Joie has embraced numerous opportunities. She has showcased her talent in various student works and had the honor of performing in pieces by esteemed faculty member Scott Putman, as well as the renowned Urban Bush Women. Joie also took her creative expression to the forefront by presenting her debut work titled "BLK IS...". This piece delves into the multifaceted dimensions of Blackness while also shining a light on the essence of Black womanhood. "BLK IS..." is a celebration that resonates with themes of pride, comfort, and community, while also emphasizing the rich diversity encapsulated in Black identity and the significance of Black hair. Joie believes these ideals play a crucial role in nurturing the growth of young Black women.
As she progresses on her dance journey, Joie envisions a future where she continues to dance professionally. She eagerly anticipates delving even deeper into her creative identity, exploring her roles as an artist, teacher, and choreographer.