Terry Jackson is a native of Shreveport, La. She is grateful to be the owner of Legacy Dance Studio formerly known as Christian Dance Center, which is the largest African American owned dance studio in Shreveport. Giving back to the community has always been a necessity, therefore, Terry has been blessed with the opportunity to introduce ballet to over a thousand African American children in a 15 year time span. Though Terry grew up with a passion to learn dance, due to poverty, she did not have an opportunity to receive training as a child. Therefore, she works very hard to provide an affordable program that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds can enjoy. In 2009, Terry started Make A Difference Dance, Inc. which is a non-profit organization that has assisted many aspiring dancers to learn the art of ballet.
Terry began dancing under the direction of Lucretia Roberson at Unique Dance Unlimited in 1996. In the summer of 1998, she auditioned for Inter City Row Modern Dance Company, directed by Luther Cox, Jr., and made the company as dancer in training and was soon promoted to principal dancer and soloist. She was trained in ballet/pointe, modern (Horton and Graham technique), jazz, tap, and West African.
Terry has been blessed with the opportunity to share her talent with high school dance teams, praise dance ministries, dance conferences, workshops, summer dance camps, school enrichment programs, pageants, debutant balls, summer camps, daycare centers, and stage plays. In 2007, Terry was casted as a dancer in The Great Debaters, directed by Danzel Washington, choreographer, Dianne Maroney-Grigsby. Terry is currently the choreographer for the Theatre of Performing Arts “Yazzy” Summer Arts Program. She is also the artistic director for Make A Difference Dance Company (MADD). Terry exercises on a regular basis and attends teacher classes at dance conventions and workshops to maintain her own dance ability. She dances at church, community events, birthday parties, weddings, and for her Mardi Gras Krewe, Krewe of Harambee.
Terry served six years in the U.S. States Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1998 to pursue her nursing career. Terry is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a Master’s degree in Nursing and is a certified Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a nursing instructor at Northwestern State University, Shreveport. Terry is the Shreveport Regional Arts Council 2004-2005 Dance Fellowship Award Winner, 2009 ATHENA Award Nominee, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2010. In 2010, she was also President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Council Executive Board and later Secretary of the Business Development Council. Terry was awarded Very Important Volunteer by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in 2011. She was the 2016-2017 Krewe of Harambee Queen. Terry is married to retired MSGT Ronald Jackson, and has a beautiful son, Isaiah.
Mrs. Angela M. VanWright is the proud oldest sister and assistant of Terry Jackson, owner and founder of Christina Dance Center. Angela began her dance training under Lucretia Roberson of Unique Dance Unlimited. After the closing of Unique Dance Unlimited, Angela auditioned and was accepted as a formal principle dancer with Inter City Row Modern Dance Company, under the direction of Luther Cox, Jr., Artistic Director. Angela took extensive dance class and training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and West African. Because of Luther’s strict teaching and discipline, Angela is now able to teach others the art and technique of dance. Angela has been dancing for over 20 years and loves teaching dance technique to children of all ages. Angela has also taught at the Annual Black Dancers and Choreographers Workshop. She has ministered in dance on the televised Bobby Jones Gospel Industry Retreat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was part of the retreat company called “Genesis.” Angela performed as a principle dance in the production of “The Wiz” with Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, under the direction of Angelique Feaster. Angela is looking forward to performing in more theatre productions. She also had the awesome opportunity to perform in dance with gospel recording artist, “Forever Jones” during their live concert debut – “Musical Revival.”
Angela is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Angela is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and LPC-S (Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor). She is also a Licensed Clinical Pastoral/Christian Counselor and Certified Temperament Analyst. She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She established her own business in 2016 and in January of 2018 she began working full time in her private practice, Heart of Grace, LLC. Counseling Services; offering services in Mental Health counseling for children and adults, as well as Marriage and Family Counseling. She combines her clinical counseling skills and expertise, and her Christian counseling background with her business knowledge to offer clients a unique perspective of problem solving. Angela has also served as a mentor for young girls with the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.
Angela is a member of John 3:16 Church, where Apostle Jerome and Lynn Lang are her Pastor’s. Angela is a member of Delta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is married to Kelvin M. VanWright, Retired Master Sergeant with the United States Air Force. Angela gives God all the thanks and praise for allowing her to be a mentor and blessing for other young ladies who are striving to achieve, obtain and accomplish their goals. She feel DANCE is a way of expressing yourself when words seem insufficient. DANCE is simply a translator for the human heart; a medium through which we show the world who we truly are and who we can be.
Nakia Williams started her dance experience at the age of 9 years old in modern dance under the direction of Luther Cox at Inner City Row Modern Dance Company. At the age of 13, she joined the dance company and began taking classes in ballet, jazz, and West African additional to her taking modern dance. Nakia has performed all over the ArkLaTex in events such as Artbreak, Red River Revel, various churches, Krewe of Harambee Coronations and Balls, Job Corps, Ballet Under the Stars, and Dance His High Praise, Bobby Jones Gospel Retreat in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and was a member of the Grambling State University Orchesis Dance Company under the direction of Dianne Maroney-Grigsby. Nakia also ministers in dance with the Angels of Anointed Praise at John 3:16 Church, Apostle Jerome Lang Sr. and 1st Lady Lynn Lang. She has one handsome son, Caleb.
Jolynn Shaw is an Alexandria, LA native who has been teaching Baton Twirling, Tumbling & Flips, & Cheer Techniques since 2001. Jolynn was in partnership with the Alexandria YWCA helping kids learn skills when they didn’t think it was possible. Jolynn was also the Peabody Magnet High School Head Cheerleader Coach for 7 years prior to moving to Shreveport. Jolynn has three daughters. One is a Grambling State University Cheerleader, one is dancer with MADD Company Inc. Jolynn says, “Teaching others is exciting for me.” Her favorite motto is, “the more you do it, the better you will be.”
Kimberly Johnson was born in Natchitoches, La. She now resides in Shreveport, La. Kimberly attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received her undergraduate degree in Performing Arts -Dance. She obtained her teaching certificate in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University Shreveport. In 2017, Kimberly received her Master’s degree in Public Policy from Walden University. She is currently a teacher in Bossier Parish. She has a husband, Chester, and a daughter, Annabelle
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Ricaya Jefferson is 24 years old Shreveport native who proudly wears the title of Instructor at CDC because it gives her the opportunity to give back what was given to her. She started dancing at 9 years old and was one of the first members of Make A Difference Dance Company. Ricaya was a soloist and also worked as Mrs. Terry’s assistant until she graduated from high school. In 2012, she graduated from Caddo Magnet High School and joined the United States Army National Guard . Soon after, she continued to further her education at ULM. Ricaya is an active member of John 3:16 church where Apostle Jerome Lang, Sr. is her Pastor. She has a 3 year old son, Robert Miller, Jr.
Gabrielle Jackson also know as Ms. Gabby has 18 years of dance experience. She began her journey at Christian Dance Center learning genres such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, & liturgical. Gabby is a proud graduate of the Southern University Agriculture & Mechanical College of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she obtained her bachelors in criminal justice. While attending Southern University she was apart of the Gold n’ Bluez basketball dance team and completed her fourth year as captain in 2017. Now, Gabby is the former coach of Huntington High Schools’ Silver Treasures dance line, but is now on tour with artist, TK SOUL as the choreographer and dancer.
JaQuarius “JD” Drew, is a 26 year old native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He is the proud Father of one daughter. JD graduated as Valedictorian of his graduating high school class at Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy. He transitioned to college and graduated from Grambling State University with a B.A in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance. JD started his dance training during his 11th grade year of high school under the direction of Carol Anglin, founder of Louisiana Dance Theatre. After college, he continued his training in under the direction of Dianne Maroney-Grisby, Orchesis Dance Company. JD has been given opportunities to learn various styles by choreographers, teachers, professional performers, and so on. He has trained in Louisiana, Atlanta, New York (Joffrey Ballet School) Chicago, Virginia, And Texas. JD performed with Six Flags Over Texas as a professional entertainer in the Summer of 2018. JaQuarius “JD” Drew is a proud advocate for all aspiring artists coming from underprivileged communities to show that there’s talent even in the shadows.