LA’s Debbie Allen Dance Academy reignited this teen’s love for ballet
March 26, 2024
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Seventeen-year-old LÄ“ya Graham debuted in the solo spotlight at the Youth American Grand Prix in Irvine. Performing Gamzatti’s Variation from the ballet La Bayadère. Read why she almost lost her love for dance.
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Read more HERE!
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Director, producer Debbie Allen named ‘Maya Angelou Artist-in-Residence’ at Wake Forest University
April 4, 2023
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Emmy award-winning director and producer Debbie Allen has been named the inaugural recipient of Wake Forest University’s Maya Angelou Artist-in-Residence Award.
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The Award honors world-renowned artists who reflect Maya Angelou’s passions for creating, performing and teaching and celebrates exceptional artists for combining achievement in the arts and a commitment to improving the human condition.
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Read more HERE!
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Debbie Allen on the legacy of 'Grey's Anatomy' and the power of dance to solve the world's problems: 'Get over here, Putin. You do a kick ball change.'
March 22, 2023
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Debbie Allen speaks to Yahoo Entertainment about her storied career. The acclaimed actress, director, producer and choreographer likens her dancers to superheroes.
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View article HERE!
LA Opera's Legacy Ambassador Norm Nixon Bridging Education and Arts
January 13, 2023
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One of the newest initiatives coming out of LA Opera to bring people and opera together is the LA Opera Legacy Ambassador Program. Established in fall 2022, the Ambassador Program was designed to forge deep, authentic and long-standing relationships with diverse communities and the key thought leaders influencing them. The Ambassadors will serve as bridge between LA Opera and the communities we serve as a conduit to cultivate transparent dialogue, access and exposure to opera and the arts. One of those key ambassadors is former Lakers star Norm Nixon. Norm has already dedicated much of his life to arts access. In 2001, he and his wife Debbie Allen established the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, providing elite dance and theater instruction to students of all ages at affordable rates. We recently sat down with Norm to talk about his role as an Ambassador, his connection to opera and the new Debbie Allen Middle School that champions the arts and academics.
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View Article HERE
DADA Performs at Bruce Beach Ceremony
July 20, 2022
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Students of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy perform during a heartfelt ceremony in Manhattan Beach.
To view article CLICK HERE
DADA PERFORMS AT SING FOR HOPE PIANOS DEBUT AT WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
August 5, 2021
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Several DADA dancers as well as Master Teacher and Faculty, Chris Scott, performed at the launch event for Sing for Hope Pianos where 16 custom-painted pianos were donated to schools across the city, including DADA.
Read more about this amazing event:
https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2021/08/05/sing-for-hope-pianos-debut/
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FOUNDER, DEBBIE ALLEN, AT THE 2021 KENNEDY CENTER HONORS AWARDS!
May 13, 2021
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We want to congratulate our founder Ms. Debbie Allen as she was named one of the 2021 Kennedy Center Honorees.
Read more about this special achievement:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/05/13/kennedy-center-honors-pandemic/
DADA IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE LA ARTS RECOVERY FUND
May 20, 2021
We are proud to be a funder of the LA Arts Recovery Fund, which just announced the 90 nonprofits that will receive more than $36M in grants for post-pandemic rebuilding! This Fund will provide sustained financial support over the next 2-3 years to small and mid-sized organizations in the sectors of theater, music, dance, visual and literary arts, and arts education. The largest-ever pooled private investment for the arts across LA County, this is a significant step in ensuring economic growth and artistic vibrancy in civic life.
The LA Arts Recovery Fund was established to strengthen nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, providing them with the tools and mobility essential to serving Los Angeles communities. Through these grants, local communities will have new opportunities to discover and engage with the arts throughout LA county. We are incredibly excited to highlight some of the many organizations who will benefit from this award and look forward to seeing them thrive!
NEW YORK TIMES ANNOUNCES DEBBIE ALLEN AS ONE OF THE 2021 KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES
January 13, 2021
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Read about Ms. Debbie Allen and her new achievement as one of the 2021 Kennedy Center Honorees!
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Click the link below to read the whole article!
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PLAYBILL FEATURE "DANCE DREAMS DOCUMENTARY, FOCUSES ON DEBBIE ALLEN DANCE ACADEMY, HITS NETFLIX NOVEMBER 27
November 27, 2020
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"Produced by Shonda Rhimes, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker follows the Fame star and her dance school as they prepare a holiday performance."
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Click the link below to read the whole interview!
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DEBBIE ALLEN SPILLS THE HOT COCOA ON DANCE DREAMS: HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER
November 26, 2020
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"Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is the story of Debbie Allen, but more resoundingly, it's the story of dancers hustling to realize their dreams and the teachers who open their hearts to get them there."
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Click on the link below to read more about this incredible documentary now streaming on Netflix!
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https://ew.com/movies/debbie-allen-new-documentary-dance-dreams-hot-chocolate-nutcracker/
"HOW DEBBIE ALLEN IS MAKING 'THE NUTCRACKER' AN INCLUSIVE STORY" MS. ALLEN'S APPEARANCE ON THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
November 23, 2020
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"Debbie Allen is shaking up the ballet world with her new show that puts a modern and inclusive spin on "The Nutcracker." The Netflix documentary "Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker" follows Debbie Allen and the students of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy as they make this production as spectacular as possible. "
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"Tune in to hear Debbie spill all of the exciting details."​
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KTLA FEATURE DEBBIE ALLEN'S HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER
November 6, 2020
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Tune in to KTLA's interview with Ms. Allen as she discusses the newly released Netflix documentary "Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
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Click the link below to watch the whole segment!
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RELEASE DATE SET FOR NEW DOCUMENTARY ON DEBBIE ALLEN AND HER DANCE TROUPE
October 8, 2020
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Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, the first collaboration between Shonda Rhimes-led production company Shondaland and Netflix, will debut on the streaming service November 27. The film follows film and stage star Debbie Allen and her Los Angeles dance studio as they prepare for their annual holiday presentation, Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
Click on the link below to read more about this exciting event!
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DEBBIE ALLEN WILL BE PART OF "TAP INTO EMPOWERMENT" - 45 MASTER CLASSES HOSTED BY SYNCOPATED LADIES FOUNDER CHLOE ARNOLD
October 2, 2020
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Emmy winner and Tony nominee Debbie Allen discusses one of many trailblazing moments in the remarkable career the beloved icon shares throughout her episode of TV One’s provocative bio series, Uncensored. “EVERYBODY HAS A LEGACY," SAYS THE LEGENDARY DIRECTOR, WHO REFLECTS ON HER OVER 40-YEAR JOURNEY FROM HOWARD TO HOLLYWOOD.
Click on the link below to read more about this incredible history!
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https://www.essence.com/entertainment/why-debbie-allens-uncensored-will-inspire-you/
DANCING THROUGH LIFE WITH DEBBIE ALLEN ON NEW YORK LIVE
September 25, 2020
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Debbie Allen chats with Sara Gore about her incredible career, returning to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and the ‘Love is Grand’ campaign with Aspercreme.

Click on the link below to watch this exciting interview with Ms. Allen!
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DADA OFFICIALLY BREAKS GROUND ON LONG AWAITED RHIMES CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
July 2, 2020
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A permanent home for an oasis of creativity, discipline, and leadership Ms. Allen founded 20 years ago with her husband Norman Nixon will provide spacious, state of the art studios that will enhance DADA's diverse programs and encourage more community participation. Students young and old, from around the world, will come to The Rhimes Center for Performing Arts to study dance, lighting, music, writing, acting, hair, and makeup.
This new facility will also house the brand new Debbie Allen Middle School for the Arts that will open in the fall of 2021!
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DANCING WITH DEBBIE ALLEN AND OTHER WAYS CELEBRITIES ARE ENCOURAGING SELF-DISTANCED WELLNESS
April 4, 2020
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Check out CNN's recent profile on Debbie Allen and her decision to use social media to bring dance into the homes of people staying in under shelter in place orders! "A lot of people needed it, and it was a healing experience and a releasing experience and a motivational experience for so many people," Allen told CNN. "And I was just grateful to share what I do and that it could be essential. I know dance is not listed on the list of what's essential right now, but you know, this kind of artistic spirit, it really is."​
For the full article, click on the link below:
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https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/03/entertainment/debbie-allen-dance/index.html
DEBBIE ALLEN ON CNN'S HLN ABOUT BRINGING DANCE TO THE WORLD
March 22, 2020
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Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen speaks with Susan Hendricks of HLN's Weekend Express about her Instagram Live dance classes during the COVID-19 quarantine.
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TODAY SHOW INTERVIEWS DEBBIE ALLEN ABOUT HER FREE INSTAGRAM CLASS
March 19, 2020
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Can’t get to the gym due to coronavirus concerns? Get down with this iconic choreographer instead! Actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen has the cure to combat too much sitting around. The “Fame” and “Grey’s Anatomy” star offered a free dance class on Instagram Live this week
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DADA ENSEMBLE PERFORMS AT VISIONARY WOMEN EVENT FOR JANE FONDA
March 10, 2020
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More than 500 women and guests joined together on Friday, March 6 to honor legendary social justice activist and two-time Academy Award winning actor Jane Fonda at the third annual International Women's Day Vision Women celebration, held at the hip, warehouse-style co-working space, Studio Beverly Hills. A moving performance by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy's DADA Ensemble opened the event.
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https://www.laweekly.com/jane-fonda-honored-at-visionary-womens-event/
DEBBIE ALLEN ON COVER OF DANCE MAGAZINE'S APRIL EDITION
March 9, 2020
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Congratulations to DADA Co-Founder and Artistic Director Ms. Debbie Allen who graces the cover of Dance Magazine's April issue! In the article, Ms. Allen speaks about growing up in Houston, what inspired her to create the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and the upcoming Los Angeles International Dance Festival.
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https://www.dancemagazine.com/debbie-allen-2645362762.html?rebelltitem=4#rebelltitem4
Debbie Allen Shares Her Mother's Secret to Living 100 Years
August 28, 2023
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During a recent conversation with debbie Allen, the "grey's anatomy" Executive producer shared with EBONY how special it was to celebrate such a significant birthday with her mother.
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Read more HERE!
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To purchase a copy of Ms. Ayers' book of poetry click HERE.
Disney’s ‘Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes’ Partners With Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy
March 23, 2023
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When “Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes” first came across Debbie Allen’s desk for a potential partnership, both parties realized what a good fit they could be with their common interests.
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Read more HERE!
DEBBIE ALLEN SPEAKS ABOUT HER DANCE ACADEMY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW ANIMATED SERIES 'KIYA AND THE KIMOJA HEROES'
March 10, 2023
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Debbie Allen spoke with EBONY about the exciting collaboration with Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes and the power of dance.
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Learn more HERE!
The Hall of Fame inductee discusses the cultural impact of her career as a choreographer, director and producer.
November 16, 2022
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Debbie Allen is inducted by her sister Phylicia Rashad into 26th television Academy Hall of fame.
To view ceremony CLICK HERE
"DEBBIE ALLEN TO RECEIVE GOVERNORS AWARD AT THIS YEAR'S PRIMETIME EMMYS"
August 12, 2021
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"The award honors an individual or organization whose achievement is so exceptional and universal in nature that it goes beyond the scope of annual Emmy Awards recognition, the academy said."
Read more about Ms. Allen's legendary award:
https://deadline.com/2021/08/debbie-allen-emmys-governors-award-2021-1234813673/
"MULTI-TALENTED SENSATION
DEBBIE ALLEN JOINS THE LIST OF KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES"
July 8, 2021
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Los Angeles Sentinel writes: "The work of Debbie Allen has reached multiple generations, molding eras and fashions that continuously take on a new form. Allen joins the list of honorees that have been tapped for unprecedented work in their lifetime."
Read more about this incredible honor:
DADA NAMED LA ARTS RECOVERY FUND GRANT RECIPIENT
May 20, 2021
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We are thrilled to be a recipient of the LA Arts Recovery Fund! As one of 90 nonprofits receiving grants, we are excited to continue serving our community and contributing to the rich cultural fabric and economic recovery of LA County!
Learn more about the fund here: https://www.calfund.org/laartsfund/
DEBBIE ALLEN PAYS TRIBUTE TO JANET JACKSON'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF "CONTROL"
February 10, 2021
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Check out Ms. Debbie Allen and her DADA students in this amazing tribute to Janet Jackson's 35th Anniversary of iconic album "Control."
Choreography by Juice Mackins.
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Click the link below to watch the video.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHZKggn6q3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
LOS ANGELES TIMES: "A DANCE PIONEER, A TV ICON AND MUSIC STARS: HERE ARE THE 2021 KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES"
January 13, 2021
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Our very own founder, Ms. Debbie Allen has been announced as one of the 2021 Kennedy Center Honorees!
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Click the link below to read the whole article!
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"DEBBIE ALLEN SAVES
CHRISTMAS WITH HER HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER"
November 27, 2020
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"The stage and screen legend is the star of a new documentary about her eponymous L.A. dance school."​Check out this in-depth interview with Ms. Allen as she discusses the newly released Netflix documentary "Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
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Click the link below to read the whole interview!
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NEW YORK TIMES "DEBBIE ALLEN'S TECHNIQUE? IT’S ALL ABOUT TOUGH LOVE"
November 24, 2020
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"The documentary “Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” shines a spotlight on Ms. Allen and her academy as it prepares for the holiday classic."
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Click the link below to read the whole interview!
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PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: DEBBIE ALLEN LOOKS TO INSPIRE IN NEW NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY DANCE DREAMS: HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER
November 12, 2020
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"The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker documentary is about young people seeing an image of themselves that propels them to want and go further," Debbie Allen tells PEOPLE"
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Click the link below to check out the whole feature!
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DEBBIE ALLEN DANCE ACADEMY ANNOUNCES DRIVE-IN GALA WITH SPECIALS GUESTS
October 14, 2020
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The Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), the Annenberg Foundation, and Netflix are partnering to present “Lights Up: A Drive-In Gala at the Rose Bowl,” sponsored by Netflix, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
Click on the link below to read more about this exciting event!
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GETTING TO THE DANCE WITH DEBBIE ALLEN
October 5, 2020
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"When you talk about Debbie Allen, you need to realize that hyphens will not get you anywhere close to wrapping your head around what she has accomplished. She’s an actress, choreographer, dancer, director, producer, singer-songwriter and the proud owner of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Add to that three Emmys, two Tonys, one Golden Globe and now The Carlos Watson Show and you’ve got not just a bite but a whole meal. Here are some of the best cuts from a longer conversation with OZY CEO and co-founder Carlos Watson."
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Click on the links below to watch the full episode or read the in-depth interview!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6F9Qc4_ppk
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https://www.ozy.com/news-and-politics/doing-the-debbie-allen/387957/
DEBBIE ALLEN WAS ANNOUNCED AS ONE OF DANCE MAGAZINE 2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS
September 30, 2020
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Emmy winner and Tony nominee Debbie Allen has just been announced as one of Dance Magazine's Award Recipients of the Year.
Click on the link below to read more about this exciting news!
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DEBBIE ALLEN INTERVIEWED BY HOLLYWOOD REPORTER ON NEW FILM "UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE"
July 21, 2020
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"Some of the interviewees, however — namely Debbie Allen ... [is] delightful and magnetic in her body language even while seated and talking." That's how Hollywood Reporter film critic Sheri Lindin described Ms. Allen in a recent review of the new film "Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance."
To read more of Ms. Allen's interview with the Hollywood Reporter, click on the link below!
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https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/uprooted-journey-jazz-dance-1302311
DEBBIE ALLEN ON TAMRON HALL SHOW ABOUT HER FREE INSTAGRAM CLASS
April 8, 2020
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Emmy-winning choreographer and actress Debbie Allen is providing a much needed outlet for self-care while maintain social distance with her Instagram Live dance class.
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NEW YORK TIMES: FINDING UPLIFT IN DEBBIE ALLEN'S INSTAGRAM CLASS
March 26, 2020
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In a recent interview with the New York Times, Debbie Allen was interviewed about her popular Instagram class which she started once the quarantine began. "I call my dance academy my church. I always say, there’s light on the dance floor. It’s a very spiritual thing to do, to come together, to push and sweat and keep plowing" Ms. Allen said in the article.
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To discover how Debbie Allen is bringing light to the world with her classes on social media, click on the following link:
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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/arts/dance/debbie-allen-dance-class-coronavirus.html
LA TIMES PROFILE ON DEBBIE ALLEN'S PLAN TO BRING DANCE CLASSES TO THE WORLD
March 20, 2020
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In an interview with the LA Times this week, Debbie Allen outlined her plans to make her dance classes online and global. “This is a time where I feel the universe is speaking to our global community, and reminding us all that we’re on this planet Earth together,” Allen said in the interview. “I know one of the greatest places to come together is on the dance floor.”
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To read the entire article, click on the link below:
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https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-03-20/debbie-allen-instagram-dance-classes
DEBBIE ALLEN INSPIRES QUARANTINED MASSES WITH INSTAGRAM DANCE CLASS
March 18, 2020
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Grey's Anatomy star and DADA Co-Founder/Artistic Director Debbie Allen hosted a free dance class on Instagram Live on Wednesday, March 18 in an effort to uplift the spirits of the masses who self-isolated this week hoping to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
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https://pagesix.com/2020/03/18/debbie-allen-inspires-quarantined-masses-with-instagram-dance-class/
DADA PERFORMS AT CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN L.A.
March 9, 2020
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"In celebration of the popular Cross Colours apparel exhibit apparel exhibit titled "Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century" currently on display at the California African American Museum, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy delivered an electric performance on February 23." from Los Angeles WAVE Newspapers.
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http://wavenewspapers.com/debbie-allen-dance-academy-performs-a-tribute-to-fashion/
DEBBIE ALLEN ANNOUNCED AS EASY SPIRIT'S NEW BRAND AMBASSADOR!
March 3, 2020
DADA Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Ms. Debbie Allen has been named the NEW Easy Spirit Ambassador! She's an iconic dancer, actor, producer, writer and director...she's living her best life now, all at the age of 70!
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To watch Ms. Allen's Easy Spirit video featuring our Red Bird 1's and Colibri Arts students:
