The Heart Behind the Work — Meet Dorian
We wanted to give our community a chance to get to know Dorian — not just as our new National Program Manager, but as the educator, professional dancer, and leader she’s become through every chapter of her journey. From the classroom to the stage to this new national role, Dorian’s story is filled with purpose, perseverance, and a whole lot of heart.
What follows is a real, unfiltered conversation about where she’s been, what’s shaped her, and what she hopes to bring to the future of this work.
Why did you start teaching in schools?
“I never thought I’d be a teacher,” she laughs, thinking back to her senior year at Ohio State. “It was supposed to be two years — Teach For America, get some leadership experience, and figure out what’s next.”
But that “next” turned out to be exactly where she was standing. Through after-school programs, substitute teaching, and yes, some convincing recruitment tactics from TFA, she found herself not just teaching — but loving it.
“It just clicked. I realized teaching was a good fit. Even now, I haven’t really stopped — the content I teach just evolved.”
What do you find most rewarding about teaching in schools, either through dance or just regular teaching?
Teaching, she reflects, isn’t always about instant wins. But when they come, they’re powerful.
“Sometimes, it's seeing a student finally grasp something that’s been hard for them. But more than that, it’s the trust. When they come to me for college applications, life advice, or just to talk — that’s everything.”
It’s that connection — beyond curriculum — that makes the job feel bigger than a lesson plan.
Is there a teacher that made you who you are or really shaped you?
Of course, the reason she shows up for students the way she does? It’s because someone showed up for her.
“My sixth grade teacher, Miss Amila — I’ll never forget her. She let me miss deadlines for dance rehearsals, gave me extensions — she saw me. And my high school African American Studies teacher? She changed everything. She connected me to my history, my culture — it shaped my entire outlook.”
Those experiences planted a seed: education isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about permission — to dream, to pursue, to belong.
Beyond dance, what lessons do you hope to pass off to your students?
Ask her what she hopes students take away, and the answer comes fast:
“Perseverance. Especially in the arts — it’s a daily choice to keep going. I remind them, if you can’t stop thinking about it, you have to keep doing it.”
It’s a message rooted in her own journey — navigating an industry with barriers, biases, and burnout — and choosing, every day, to stay in the fight.
There’s a lot of jobs out there with different kinds of benefits — what keeps you on the work path of community building and artistry?
With so many career paths offering security, benefits, and fewer emotional rollercoasters — why stick with teaching and community building?
“I want to sleep at night,” she says simply.
Growing up in a family that modeled service, she knows the power of pouring into the people around you. “None of us get here alone. My parents, my teachers, my community — they built me. How could I not pour back?”
And yes, while there have been glamorous moments — high-profile dance gigs, national stages — nothing compares to seeing a kid’s eyes light up when they fall in love with dance.
What’s your favorite color — and if your life experience was a color in physical form, what would it be?
When asked her favorite color, the answer comes with zero hesitation: red.
“It’s passion, it’s blood, it’s visibility. You can’t miss it when it walks in the room.”
It also reflects how she moves through the world — with energy, visibility, and a deep desire to make an impact.
Can you tell us about one special moment you had with a student that you’ll never forget?
One moment with a student stands out — and still gives her chills.
Her school was facing closure. She was exhausted, questioning everything. And then, a sixth grader handed her a drawing: an ice cream cone, a dancer, and the words, “Go do what you love, Miss Cohen.”
“It wrecked me,” she admits. “This little girl saw right through me. She gave me permission to pivot, to chase what I love — even when it was scary.”
What’s the biggest challenge in this industry — whether it’s the teaching industry, the dance industry, or even balancing the two?
For all the joy, this work comes with weight.
In the arts? “Detaching your worth from the jobs you book — that’s hard. You put your heart into auditions, projects… but it’s not always about talent or effort. You have to believe you’re enough regardless.”
In teaching? It’s about boundaries.
“I can’t fix everything for everyone. My mom always reminds me: on the plane, you put your oxygen mask on first. Same thing here. If I don’t care for myself, I can’t show up for them.”
What are you most excited for stepping into this role as National Program Manager?
As National Program Manager, the excitement is real — and rooted in connection.
“Getting to work across cities, seeing how these dance cultures evolve, how they still bring people together — that’s what I love.”
Whether it’s footwork in Chicago or lite feet in New York, her goal is clear: nurture these movements, make sure they have the space to thrive, and remind young people — especially Black and Brown youth — that their art, their stories, their communities matter.
“Dance saved me. Community saved me. I just want to make sure the door stays open for the next kid.”
We couldn’t be more excited to have her leading the charge — coffee shop chaos, real talk, red-hot passion and all.