The Conservatory of Movement

We are pleased to share that Dr. Adesola Akinleye will be joining the RAD as National Director USA following Patti Ashby’s retirement at the end of August.

Adesola has worked in dance education in the USA, Canada, UK, and the Caribbean for over 30 years. She joins RAD USA from directing the PhD in Dance Program at Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, Texas, and is a Fellow Research Affiliate at Art, Culture & Technology (ACT) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In addition, she has written and advocated extensively for dance education that is joyful and care-driven.

“I am so excited to join the rich community of RAD USA. This is an important time for us all to be sharing the care that comes from an excellent dance education. A dance education is a lifelong invitation to the joy of self-expression and the excitement of learning something new about the world every time you step into the studio.”

Learn more about A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s upcoming production of The Sleeping Beauty!

Congratulations David - proud to have been able to start your ballet training all those years ago!

Meet Principal Artist, David Huffmire🩰🖤🤍

David began dance with all things except ballet: Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Ballroom. David began his ballet training around age of 12 with Alexander Van Alstyne at a small Reno conservatory, eventually attending Ballet West and San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensives at the age of 14. He moved to Salt Lake City at 16, joining the Ballet West Academy Trainee program. Promoted to Ballet West II in 2016, main company in 2018, Soloist in 2022, and Principal in 2024. David is critically revered for his stunning technique, stage presence, acting range, and adaptability to multiple dance styles.

Fun facts about David⤵️
✨Favorite TV shows: Breaking Bad, Alone
🎭Favorite books: Tuesdays with Morrie, The Brothers Karamazov
✨Favorite things to do in Salt Lake or Utah: Golf and taking his dog to the park. He also loves being in close proximity to national parks.
🎭What's in his dance bag: Pens, cologne, extra shirt, notebook.
✨Pets: Two cats and one dog.
🎭What he does for fun: Write music, sing, play guitar and piano at home, play video games, ride bikes.
✨Interesting collections: David collects guitars and instruments.
🎭If he weren't a dancer: Performing in a band/symphony, or another musically driven pursuit.
✨Proudest moment as a dancer: Finishing "Jekyll and Hyde" after performing the role of Hyde, the moment he went onto stage with Jekyll and feeling the moment. “It was the hardest thing I ever did. I was so proud.”
🎭Biggest challenge as a dancer: The most challenging moment is post-performance by himself. He remembers the first time after performing Renfield in "Dracula" where he bowed, finished, changed, got back to his car, and an immense sadness hit. He started wondering "wait, no one knows what I just did. And it doesn't matter. Did it actually make me happy? Or am I just happy I didn't fail?" Learning to deal with that mental talk has been his biggest challenge. Over time, he's learned to actively redirect those thoughts, reminding himself that even if just one person was moved or affected in a positive way, that matters.

Photo by Lauren Wattenburg

🎉20th Anniversary of LINES BFA at Dominican University of California🎉 Our BFA dancers returned to classes TODAY, and we are celebrating 20 years of this beloved program, none of which would have been possible without the deep care and insightful direction of Program Director Marina Hotchkiss. 🩵

Under the inspiring vision of Alonzo King, and guided by his belief in the inherent power and beauty of the art within each of us, we are proud to honor our 🔥170 graduates🔥 who have gone on to do incredible things—in the field of dance and beyond—in the last 2 decades.

Keep an eye out here and on our website for updates about our amazing current students and for reflections on our program through the years. linesballet.org/bfa-program

Image: Alonzo King LINES Ballet | BFA Program | © Steve Disenhof

Save on all gift items in the RAD USA online Shop now through August 31🎁 Visit: https://shop.radusa.org/sale/

Ms. Burnham has examined our dancers several times over the years and is a good friend and mentor to Miss Miriam. Congratulations and best wishes!

NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS Sunday September 27 at the Conservatory. Ages 8+.