Antonio DeBerry
Director of Dance
Summary
Antonio “Tony" DeBerry's passion, authenticity, and creativity are just a few words to describe his artistry. He is not only an educator through movement of dance, but through inspiration and motivation. The imprint and influence he brings is undeniable and his objective is to not make dancers but to create artists for the new tomorrow.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Director of Dance and Theatre
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Norcross, Gwinnett
06.2023 - Current
- 2024 Gwinnett County Micro Grant Recipient for Fine Art and Education
- Inspired and encouraged students to explore different types of dance for creative expression.
- Prepped students for formal auditions and exams, helping students to achieve success.
- Coached individual students in cultural dance, personalising teaching and support to best meet bespoke needs.
- Presented material on art theory and history, pairing concepts with activities to cement knowledge.
- Encouraged peer evaluation and reflection to practise critical thinking skills.
- Taught students key concepts to excel in target art form and meet demands of course examinations.
- Organised opportunities for students to showcase their work.
- Used positive reinforcement with art assignments to help underperforming students increase confidence and self-esteem.
- Evaluated students' work and provided constructive feedback to guide improvement.
- Tailored assigned tasks to suit students' passions, interests and abilities.
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Xcel Talent Agency
Atlanta, GA
09.2022 - Current
- Develop the students professional etiquette
- Prepare them for professional auditions
- Cultivate, their natural and hidden talents
- Expose them to industry standards and working artists
- Generated Key Performance Indicator reporting to drive better performance.
- Prepped students for formal auditions and exams, helping students to achieve success.
- Coached individual students in commercial jazz, personalizing teaching and support to best meet bespoke needs.
- Gave personalized feedback to help individuals improve performance and identify areas for further practice.
- Choreographed dance pieces for recitals and productions.
- Implemented diverse routines to challenge and enhance strength, endurance and mobility.
- Taught varied dance styles including jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre.
- Worked with individual students to address challenges.
Choreographer
Duffy Liturgical Dance Company
Cleveland, OH
11.2013 - Current
- Dancing in the liturgical dance company with classical opera singer Edna Duffy, was a transcendent experience
- The company opened so many doors and opportunities for me, from dancing for celebrities such as Kenny Lattimore, Councilman, mayors and prestigious organization such as United Black Funds
- Choreograph Duffy Lit. annual fall concert, hosted at the Cleveland Museum of Art
- Provide fundamental structure for the Duffy Lit. Youth program.
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Denver School of the Arts
Denver, CO
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Focus on the dance education of 6-8th grades dance majors.
- Class is based on movement that would be seen in the live theatre.
- Focal points being Jazz-funk, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary movement.
- Cultivated strong sense of teamwork, respect and support to encourage student commitment and participation levels.
- Gave personalised feedback to help individuals improve performance and identify areas for further practice.
- Prepped students for formal auditions and exams, helping students to achieve success.
- Coached individual students in Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop and Jazz , personalising teaching and support to best meet bespoke needs.
- Choreographed intricate dances, tailoring routines to meet different styles and levels of ability.
- Coached students individually to enhance technique and performance standards.
- Worked with individual students to address challenges.
- Helped students cultivate new skills through creative workshops.
- Adapted teaching to suit students of varying ages and abilities.
- Choreographed and demonstrated new routines to build dancer enthusiasm and enhance skill sets.
Dancer
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Denver, CO
08.2016 - 01.2019
- Outreach educational dance teacher along with in school and after school programmer
- Middle Childhood educational dance teacher along with in school and after school programmer
- I also dance as a professional dancer in the company of Cleo Parker Robinson
- Performed dance roles in films, music videos and theatre productions.
- Captivated audiences through interactive and show stopping performances.
- Attended daily rehearsals to perfect dance routines and movements in multiple roles.
- Offered free trial dance classes and giveaway merchandise to new students to promote enrollment.
- Worked with dance instructors to design and modify choreography.
- Developed professional relationships with different dance professionals, choreographers and performers by actively listening and effectively communicating.
- Pursued professional development to develop and broaden skill sets and acquire different movement techniques.
- Collaborated with production directors to coordinate music production.
Performer
International Associations of Blacks in Dance
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Dancer at the IABD conference for varies repertory companies
- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance ensemble, Greene Works Project, Dancing Wheels and the Erin Berry Ministries
- 2024 IABD , Memphis, I was asked to teach a master jazz class for IABD "1 of 1" Dance series.
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Cuyahoga Community College Performing Arts Academy
Cleveland, OH
11.2015 - 08.2016
- Emanuela Friscioni/ Director of the Arts, Terence Greene to Director of Dance hired me to instruct and train the youth in
- Hip Hop/Jazz/Modern.
- Choreographed Jazz, and Modern dances, tailoring routines to meet different styles and levels of ability.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Community based dance program that catered to teens and pre teens with affordable dance courses and intensives.
Contemporary Dance Instructor
Shaker Dance Academy
Beachwood, OH
09.2013 - 08.2016
- Shaker dance Academy is a training base for youth competition dancers and commercial industry
- I grew as a teacher and artist. The students grew as dancers and people, under my instruction
- Contemporary and Modern , with a Graham and Horton foundation and West African traditional movement.
- Nominated Teacher of the Year 2014 and 2015
Assistant Director
Greene Works Project
Cleveland, OH
09.2013 - 08.2016
- Rehearsal Director of Greene Works Project
- Elevating the dancer technique with a series of exercises and classes
- Leading them in warm ups and rehearsals to space and mold the vision of Terence Greene
- Company members were both High school and College students.
Dance Choreographer
City of Cleveland Department of Recreation
Cleveland, OH
01.2010 - 08.2016
- Play Director, Artistic Director of Dance, Head Choreographer
- Rosa Casiano / Angelia Winborn were directors of Show Wagon. A summer arts program designed to help children, ages 5-18, develop the proper tools for in their discipline.
- Show Wagon is the name of the City of Cleveland summer program
- In Show wagon kids from all over Cleveland from all different walks of life would audition to be in a summer long production
Modern Dance Instructor
Cleveland School of the Arts
Cleveland, OH
08.2015 - 05.2016
- As the Cleveland school of the Arts was under new direction, Imani Jackson/Artistic Director, brought me in as the Modern Dance Instructor, to train the Middle school and High school students.
- Collaborated with fellow instructors on ways to improve instruction and better serve student needs.
- Delivered maximum impact and learning through top-quality instruction.
- Mixed traditional and modern learning techniques to deliver diversified instruction.
- Cultivated strong relationships with course attendees to ensure satisfaction and learning.
Rehearsal Director
Karamu House
Cleveland, OH
11.2015 - 01.2016
- Rehearsal Director , Dance Captain , Lead male dancer
- Seasonal Production, Black Nativity
- Holiday show about the birth of Jesus Christ
- Lead Role, Joseph husband of Mary
- Captivated audiences through dynamic and engaging live performances.
- Supervised set up of performances spaces to prepare for shows.
- Rehearsed performances to perfect live performances.
- Dedicated 15-20 hours weekly practicing skills to advanced abilities.
Contemporary Dancer
Dancing Wheels Dance Company
Cleveland, OH
11.2013 - 01.2015
- As a dancer in the touring physically integrated dance company, Dancing Wheels, I had the pleasure of performing at major events such as NYC dance parade, Canton Symphony, IABD, etc.
- Coordinated work groups and outreach activities.
- Participated in community outreach programs, promoting athletic teams.
- Improved social connections through community outreach and activity attendance.
- Help children and adults with physical bearers overcome challenges by introducing them to dance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Dance Education
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 08.2009 - 08.2013
Master of Arts - Dance; Master of Art in Teaching
Mercer University
Macon, GA 01.2024 -
Skills
Problem-solving
Programme development
Resourcefulness
Knowledge of industry
Performance background
Student motivation
Flexibility techniques
Lesson preparation
Classroom management
Student engagement
Teaching strategies
Accomplishments
- 2024 Gwinnett County Micro Grant Recipient: Developing arts programs
- 2022 Voyage ATL Magazine : Raising Teacher and Choreographer
- 2017 Ohio Dance Awards: Nominated as Choreographer and Dancer of the Dance
- 2015 Teacher of the Year: Shaker Dance Academy
- 2009 Key Bank, Raising Star Award Recipient
Timeline
Master of Arts - Dance; Master of Art in Teaching
Mercer University
01.2024 -
Director of Dance and Theatre
Gwinnett County Public Schools
06.2023 - Current
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Xcel Talent Agency
09.2022 - Current
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Denver School of the Arts
08.2017 - 08.2019
Dancer
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
08.2016 - 01.2019
Dance and Performing Arts Teacher
Cuyahoga Community College Performing Arts Academy
11.2015 - 08.2016
Rehearsal Director
Karamu House
11.2015 - 01.2016
Modern Dance Instructor
Cleveland School of the Arts
08.2015 - 05.2016
Performer
International Associations of Blacks in Dance
01.2015 - 01.2018
Choreographer
Duffy Liturgical Dance Company
11.2013 - Current
Contemporary Dancer
Dancing Wheels Dance Company
11.2013 - 01.2015
Contemporary Dance Instructor
Shaker Dance Academy
09.2013 - 08.2016
Assistant Director
Greene Works Project
09.2013 - 08.2016
Dance Choreographer
City of Cleveland Department of Recreation
01.2010 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Science - Dance Education
Bowling Green State University
08.2009 - 08.2013