Maynard H. Jackson High School dance students learn from a master teacher

UPDATE: Check out Scott King’s photo gallery here.

To help her Maynard H. Jackson High students truly embrace their creative passion and the art of dance, teacher Tiffany Mingo-Davis called for reinforcements this week. Fortunately, her former teacher and mentor was available to answer the call.

Allyne Gartrell, company director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, delivered a bit of real-world experience to students who know him for his high energy and physically demanding jazz, ballet, and modern dance classes. He made sure that Mingo-Davis’ students walked away with a professional and rigorous dance experience. One they will never forget.

“It challenged me and pushed me to be more expressive,” said senior Ashley Shaffer. Eleventh-grade student  added, “The class was inspiring and I learned the value of being well trained in all dance styles.”

Gartrell, an Atlanta native, also had compliments for the students and the Fine Arts & Media Communications Academy at Jackson.

“The students are talented they are very privileged to have a free dance education,” he said. “It is their responsibility to take their training seriously.”

Under the direction of Mingo-Davis, APS Fine Arts Educator of the Year, look for Jackson’s dance students to reach new heights on a performance stage near you.