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Jennifer Johnson Buchanan is native of Seat Pleasant, Maryland. She began her training at the age of two at Incarnation Dance Group in Washington, DC under the direction of Katherine H. Duffey and Lottie G. Bennett. 

 

Ms. Buchanan has trained locally with various schools and teachers. She also has trained outside of the DMV area with dance instructors up and down the east coast including The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Summer Intensive and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Mrs. Buchanan was a member of several local dance companies and the Terpsichorean Dance Company at Hampton University.

 

Buchanan is the former owner/director of Umoja Creative Dance Studio that was located in Hyattsville Maryland from 1995-2005 and also worked as a dance instructor for the PG County Schools during that time.  After closing UCDS, Mrs. Buchanan continued to teach on a limited basis, while focusing on caring for her aging parents and raising her youngest son.  In 2017 she re-opened her business under the new name, Umoja Ballet Academy. She is now the Adjunct Dance Professor at the University of the District of Columbia and ballet instructor at The Washington School of Ballet at THEARC.

TreVaun Carter began dancing at the age of three at St. Timothy dance studio. I knew I had finally found a place to call home. I danced there until the age of nine.

I joined Joyce Lavern School of Dance at the age of 10, I continued to dance there until the age of 17. I studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, and modern. Also, I participated in various competitions and camps such as Show Stoppers, the show time at the Apollo and summer programs at the Kennedy Center. I performed liturgical dances at my church as well. 

 

In addition to dancing at Joyce Lavern, I was in the Visual and Performing Arts program at Suitland High School. Where I performed several types of dance. I was also a cheerleader for a few years.

 

After I graduated and went on to Morgan State University, I became a Morgannette Dancer. Dancing at a college level was a fulfilling and rewarding experience that put my love of dance on a whole new level. I have taught dance at various institutions such as Christian Dance Academy, Expressions, Dance Dimensions, Bodymoves, and Dancemakers for over 10 years of experience.  Teaching what I love to young students who may one day come to know the joy of dance as I know it, is a great opportunity.

 

Dance to me is a true art and my heart’s true passion which has afforded me many opportunities throughout life and for that I am eternally grateful.

Kiyara (age 16) started her dance career at the age of 1 where she participated in her very first dance recital. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, african/afro-carribean, musical theater and classical indian dance. 

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While in middle school, Kiyara attended  and was accepted into Brooklyn Park's PVA (Performing & Visual Arts) dance program under the direction of Lacy Sheppard. She then went on to audition into Annapolis High School's PVA dance program as well, where she is currently going into her Junior year. Throughout her highschool career she has maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

 

Kiyara loves children and cant wait to assist them through her love of dance!