ALAYA
Tap, Tap, Tap in!
Alaya Freeman, Philadelphia-Based Dancer, Instructor and Award-Winning Choreography, has been dancing since the tender age of 2 and a half years old.
Commencing her professional training at the former Sydney School of Dance, she immersed herself in the disciplines of ballet and tap. Subsequently, she furthered her dance education at The Pointe Dance Studio and became a member of its prestigious "Straight To The Pointe Dance Company," participating in competitive events across various cities and states. The array of genres she explored encompassed ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, pointe, and hip-hop.
Throughout her tenure at West Chester University, Alaya continuously immersed herself in dance studies and actively participated in the university's hip-hop dance ensemble, called the "D.R.E.A.M Team," eventually gaining the role of team captain during her sophomore year. As a graduate of the class of 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Alaya completed her studies with a minor in dance.
Alaya has been an educator at B’Ella Ballerina Dance Academy for three years, specializing in teaching tap and jazz to children. Additionally, she serves as a coach for the former Bella Dancettes Majorette Team and assistant for both the traveling company and dance school. Noteworthy achievements include choreographing a tap piece that secured the 3rd overall position at both Dancer’s Inc and Beyond The Stars dance competitions. Furthermore, her choreography earned the prestigious "Ultimate Storytelling" award.
Maud Arnold said, “Tap is boundless. There’s always a new step, a new rhythm, a new story to be explored.” That’s what Second Chance Dance is showing us! Although we’re adults, we are BOUNDLESS & have been given a second chance at dance.
ALYSSA BOWSER
Alyssa Bowser, originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, embarked on her dance journey at Brenda Lee's Dance Studio at the young age of three, under the guidance of Brenda herself. Transitioning from Brenda Lee's Dance Studio, Alyssa joined the Young Performers Theatre Camp (YPTC) where she discovered her new home at The Pointe! Dance Studio. At The Pointe!, Alyssa kickstarted her competitive dance career and toured with Straight to The Pointe! Dance Company. Graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she specialized in dance under LaDeva Davis's tutelage, Alyssa also participated in the Dance Creating New Stars summer intensive (DCNS) led by Dara Meredith and Laceda Nelson. Alyssa has since served as an assistant director at Next Generation Dance Conservatory, Dance Director at Collective Mic Productions, the Creative Director for the Cheltenham School District's Annual Black History Month Celebration, rehearsal director for Straight To The Pointe! Dance Company, the studio from which she graduated. Alyssa aspires to pay it forward, inspired by the mentorship she received. She is now the proud owner of Philadelphia's first adult-only dance studio, offering ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop classes to adult learners who have a passion for dance and wish to rekindle their love for it.