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MaKenna Charles

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Bio

If you had asked me four years ago what my life goals were, I would have said to become an electrical engineer. Now, I want to create a well-funded, world-renowned art institution that allows young dancers the chance to pursue an otherwise expensive art form. Dance is beautiful and free, but it also requires years of training that many gifted and passionate dancers cannot afford. I experienced firsthand how financial circumstances can make you believe dance is unattainable. So I worked hard to graduate high school as valedictorian, a year early, with near-perfect grades. I knew my high marks in school weren't enough to get into dance school. So, I took a gap year to focus almost exclusively on dance as an art and business. Presently, I attend Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University on scholarship for the Dance BFA program. I am set to graduate in 2026 and have recently been named the 2022-2023 recipient of the Sandra Hittman Scholarship in Dance.

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Dance

Colorado Connections Academy

High School
2020 - 2021

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Dance
    • Education, Other
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Performing Arts

    • Dream career goals:

      Company Founder/ Artistic DIRECTOR

    • Freelance

      Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
      2022 – 2022
    • Intern

      Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
      2021 – 20221 year
    • Administrative Assistant

      NU-World Contemporary Danse Theatre
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Babysitter

      Self Employed
      2013 – 20196 years

    Sports

    Dance

    Intramural
    2016 – Present8 years

    Track & Field

    Intramural
    2016 – 20182 years

    Awards

    • #1 in Districts for 4 x 100m relay

    Arts

    • Quickened Ministries

      Performance Art
      The Kings Table Biannually
      2011 – 2019
    • Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - Youth Ensemble

      Dance
      Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum
      2021 – 2021

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Fervor Youth — leader
      2015 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Quickened Ministries — volunteer
      2013 – 2019

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    I Can Do Anything Scholarship
    I envision a future where I am enveloped in happiness and love while dancing as a member of a company I believe in; I am sharing my knowledge and experience with students apart of my community; This is me successful.