AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 22

We are excited to announce the return of the DLNY NextGen Apprenticeship for the Fall 2024 season with choreographers, Dream Hunter and Gianna-Milani Cooley.

Under the guidance of DLNY’s Resident Mentor, William Carlos Angulo, Dream and Gianna-Milani will cultivate their artistic voices and develop leadership skills essential for their future careers. The Lab kicks off this weekend, with a company of professional teen dancers to bring each choreographers' visions to life.

In the first stage of their apprenticeship, Dream and Gianna-Milani engaged in virtual learning sessions. Now inside the studio, they will receive support from guest teaching artists, DLNY alumni, and a rehearsal director. The apprenticeship will culminate in a Share-and-Tell where these visionary young dancemakers will share their works-in-process.

VISIT THE NEXTGEN ARCHIVES

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DREAM HUNTER

Dream Hunter is a multifaceted young artist from Brooklyn, NY. She began her dance training at age 5 at Bianca’s Dance Academy in Bed Stuy. She has choreographed for BDA Dancers, and they won First-Place Double-Platinum at DanceXplosion. Before being a NextGen Apprentice, she danced in DLNY’s Youth Company for two cycles. Endless thanks to everyone who’s been there to support her, especially mom.

GIANNA-MILANI COOLEY

Hi, I'm Gianna-Milani and I am 16 years old. I’m a rising senior at LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. I have been dancing since I was 1 1/2 years old and it has been my passion ever since. I am a well-trained dancer with extreme versatility. In addition to dancing, choreography has become another love of mine. I’ve collaborated on the choreography for the Brooklyn Nets kid's dance team on numerous occasions, as well as dancing on the team for the past 8 years. Now I can't wait to discover how I can add my training into my choreography and learn what it truly means to be a choreographer.

DANCERS

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BRI JOLIE BROWN

Hey, it’s Bri. I’m a 17 year old dancer from Queens. I’ve been dancing for 14 years and my favorite style is improv.

SAMONTAE BROWN-BESS

Samontae Brown-Bess is a dancer in his late teens from Baltimore County, Maryland who started his dance journey in the Summer of 2022 and has since grown his love for the art form as he continues to learn, train, teach and perform in varying capacities across the country.

ZURI CAMILLE

My name is Zuri, I’m 17 years old and I grew up in Brooklyn New York. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and haven’t stopped since. I’m currently a dance major at LaGuardia high school and as a rising senior my goal once I graduate dance wise is going on tour with artists.

CARLOS CARRERAS

Carlos has been dancing since the age of 6. He started with the Kips Bay Boys/Girls Club in the Bronx. He has experience in Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Salsa, Horton, Dunham, and west African dance. He currently attends PPAS HS, NYC-Sophmore- with his major in Dance- training in the Alvin Ailey School. He currently is also a member of La Acadmia Pre-Professional Dance Program at Ballet Hispanico. Carlos is also currently a student at Elite Stars Dance Academy in the Bronx. Carlos is super excited to begin his journey with the Dance Lab NY!

MATTHEW CASSELLA

My name is Matthew Cassella and I am a 17 year old male dancer. I have done competition dance since the age of 8 and have experience in dance productions, Off-Broadway shows, and singing performances. I am extremely versatile with all genres and possess a highly determined attitude.

SKYE ESTEVEZ

Skye Estevez is a commercial dancer and aspiring choreographer based in NJ / NY. She is 16 years old, a junior dance major at High Tech High School in Secaucus, NJ. A former NBA Knicks City Kid, Skye actively trains with @kozmicedge, recently opening for the Royal Family Dance Crew in their only US show. Skye is represented by @cleartalentgroup and blessed to have worked on several projects including @target @nickelodeon @unicef. She has also earned success in the convention circuit, most recently as a @kaos cast member. Skye also enjoys digital design and editing, and is currently the Social Media intern for the @knickscitykids. Skye is so grateful for another opportunity to dance in her third cycle of DLNY’s Next Gen Lab. She has been so inspired by this group.

ALANNAH VASS

Alannah Vass is from Brooklyn, NY and attends LaGuardia High School as a dance major. Her training grounds include Dance Atlantic, Inc., Broadway Dance Center, MOVE|NYC|, Alvin Ailey, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She has a diverse background in various genres.

Alannah is a member of the BDC Youth Company and the Young Professional Program at MOVE|NYC|. She has worked with Earl Mosley, Theresa Stone, and many others. She has performed in various events including Dance Against Cancer Gala and 911 Memorial & Museum Benefit Dinner.

Alannah is committed to continuous growth, exploring new techniques, collaborating with others and is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the DLNY’s NextGen.

NICHOLAS ZAPATA

My name is Nicholas Zapata, I am 17 years old and I’ve been dancing for about 3 years. I am of hispanic descent and I am also family oriented.

Dance has been one of my best outlets for the past three years. I would love nothing more than to do what I love for the rest of my life. I dream to go on tour with multiple artists and even work in movies.

RESIDENT MENTOR

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WILLIAM CARLOS ANGULO, DLNY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

William Carlos Angulo is a director, choreographer, and arts educator based in New York City. His work in theater and dance has premiered in fifteen US states including Puerto Rico, as well as in Poland, France, Germany, Croatia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Prior to creating the NextGen Apprenticeship, he co-created the professional training program at Goodman Theatre in Chicago and was an original instructor for Broadway Across Borders through the US Department of State Fulbright program. He has choreographed for Grammy Award-winning recording artists like Breland, LOCASH, Florida Georgia Line, and more, and his choreography for LEGALLY BLONDE at the MUNY was hash-tagged on TikTok and Instagram over 17 million times. He is currently creating two new Broadway musicals: HOMBRES and SHOUT SISTER SHOUT. He is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and the Alliance of Latine Theatre Artists (ALTA).

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

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DAHLIA KHAIR QUMHIYEH

Dahlia is a Palestinian/Malaysian New York-based artist. She has worked with choreographers such as Tanisha Scott, Mandy Moore, Brian Friedman, Charm LaDonna, Luam Keflezghi and more! She has contributed choreography to The Brooklynettes, The McKittrick Hotel, as well as movement directed for Bergdorf Goodman and Marla Aaron Jewelry. She has been awarded the GALLIM Moving Artist Residency and has featured as an upcoming artist on Paper Magazine, GQ Magazine, NatGeo, and Schön Magazine.