Metro School of the Arts’ Choreographer Wins Dance Contest Award

Roger C. Jeffrey, ballet and modern dance instructor at Metropolitan School of the Arts in Alexandria, Va., earned the outstanding choreographer award at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Dance Contest in Winston-Salem, NC. Jeffrey also received the 2nd place award for Large Ensemble for his dance piece, “Sentinel.” Go to www.metropolitanarts.org for more information.

“Roger is really the best of the best in the choreography world, and we’re so grateful to have him on our Metropolitan staff,” said Jacqueline Doherty, dance chair of Metropolitan School of the Arts in Alexandria, Va.

Jeffrey is also an assistant professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and is the co-founder of Bounce!, which offers vocal, dance and theatre conventions and competitions. www.bouncecompetition.com.

Born and raised in New York City, Jeffrey began his training at Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Jamaica, Queens. A graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy. Jeffrey has performed in the companies of Bernice Johnson, Kevin Iega Jeff, Obediah Wright, Earl Mosley, Zvi Gotheiner, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Metropolitan Opera Ballet and with Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project. He has also worked with Dudley Williams, Eleo Pomare, Otis Sallid, Debbie Allen, Danny Tidwell, Ayodele Casel, D'bi. Young, Rasta Thomas, Sean Curran, Doug Varone, Richard Move and Mark Dendy.

Inspired by his mentor Kevin Iega Jeff, he began to explore his artistic potential as both an instructor and choreographer. Jeffrey has choreographed and/or directed various theatrical productions including Death of the Diva featuring Amanda Seales, The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely featuring Ngozi Paul, Blood Claat featuring D'bi. Young, Gemini Rising and Da Kink in my Hair featuring Angie Stone, Melanie Fiona and Terri Vaughn.

Jeffrey also founded Subtle Changes, Inc., a nonprofit artist collective committed to the presentation, development, and exposure of the arts. The company has presented work for Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Central Park SummerStage Harlem, E- Moves/Aaron Davis Hall, Judson Church, P.S. 122, DanceNow Festival, Theatre of the Riverside Church, JoyceSoho, Back Yard Dance Project, Bric and Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out among others.

The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts is a college preparatory performing arts school for emerging young artists, grades 7 to 12, who are dedicated to a rigorous academic experience in a pre-professional performing arts conservatory environment. Their cross-curricular approach to arts training fills each young artist’s toolbox with the dance, music and acting skills necessary to be a triple threat in the arts world. Metropolitan School of the Arts approach to education is designed to develop independent, self-motivated and skilled learners. The school offers a post-high school graduate program as well, for those students who desire an extra year to prepare for admittance into a performing arts university.

ABOUT METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (MSA) Alexandria, Va.-based, Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA), a 501 (c) 3 organization, is the first Washington, D.C. area, private, secondary performing arts school, founded in 2013 by Melissa Dobbs. The MSA performing arts studios in Alexandria, Va. have taught dance, music and theater to more than 10,000 students since 2001. Noted for its world-class instructors, MSA offers high quality performing arts training in a ground breaking, holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, builds community and empowers students. The organization was featured in Dance Teacher magazine, FOX 5 Morning News, WUSA9 Great Day Washington, ABC-7 Good Morning Washington, Northern Virginia Magazine, Washington Business Journal, Washington Post Weekend and Washington Families magazine. Many students from MSA studios go on to perform in prestigious arenas including Broadway, National Tours, The Julliard School, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Washington Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, Universal Ballet Academy, The Kirov Ballet, The Hartt School, Marymount University (New York), Ford’s Theater and Mark Morris Dance Company. MSA offers a performing arts academy, a performing arts studio, a youth tap ensemble, a youth ballet, a jazz company, and a theatre program, as well as adult fitness and dance. Call 703.339.0444 or visit www.metropolitanarts.org, Facebook or Twitter.