Fine Arts (Dance) - Mpezo, Mandi
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Ms. Mpezo
Ms. Mpezo is a passionate Dance Educator and Professional Contemporary Dancer in her 4th year at Hampton Highschool. Her journey in the world of dance began at the esteemed Price Performing Arts Center, where she laid the foundation for her dance career.
As a dedicated student at Tri Cities Visual and Performing Arts Magnet High School, Ms. Mpezo received comprehensive training in Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Afro-Fusion Dance Styles. Under the guidance of distinguished directors Bridget L. Moore and Shenita Davis-Grandberry, Ms. Mpezo flourished as a dancer and honed her skills from notable teachers and choreographers such as Roscoe Sales, Diane Sales, and Dawn Axam. Her talent was recognized in 2009 when she earned the National Young Arts Merit Award for West African Dance, choreographed by Young Arts Presidential Award Winner Deidre Dawkins.
Upon graduating from Tri-Cities High School, Ms. Mpezo furthered her dance education at Kennesaw State University under the direction of Ivan Pulinkala, where she earned her degree in Modern Dance. As a dance major at Kennesaw State University, Ms. Mpezo had the privilege of training with esteemed teachers and choreographers, including Dr. Theresa Howard, Carolyn Perry, Reiko Kimora-Coltek, Lauri Stallings, Stevan Novakovich, Sandra Parks, and Marcus Alford. She showcased her talents in various productions, notably as a part of Kennesaw State's 2014 American Dance Festival dance group finalists, performing at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Ms. Mpezo also expanded her dance education through a transformative study abroad experience at the National Taiwan University of the Arts, exploring Ballet, Modern, and Chinese-Contemporary Dance.
After graduating, Ms. Mpezo embarked on a successful career as a Professional Contemporary Dancer. She collaborated with renowned choreographers and dance companies, including TLang Dance, gloATL, and The Atlanta Dance Collective. Her performances extended beyond traditional dance spaces, with notable appearances at The Woodruff Arts Center, with Grammy Award Winning Maestro Robert Spano and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; The Atlanta High Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA-GA), and The Hudgens Museum. Ms. Mpezo also had the privilege of working with The Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company, Juel D. Lane, Camille A. Brown, and Brazilian choreographer Iara Cerquiera.
In addition to her achievements in the dance world, Ms. Mpezo has made notable appearances in Hollywood productions, serving as a background actor in the groundbreaking film "Black Panther" and various short films and documentaries.
Ms. Mpezo’s commitment to dance education is evident through her work at local Atlanta Dance Studios, including Price Performing Arts Center, Dance Contempra, and I AM ARTS Dance Foundation. Her impact as a teacher resonates with aspiring dancers, as she shares her knowledge, passion, and experiences to inspire the next generation of performers. Ms. Mpezo continues to contribute significantly to the vibrant dance community, and hopes to leave a mark on the world of dance education.