MOVE|NYC| Announces Class of 2025 Young Professionals Program Dancers Admitted to Nation’s Top Colleges and Conservatories

Photos Courtesy of MOVE|NYC|

MOVE|NYC| Dancers to Take Flight at The Julliard School, Yale University, Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, NYU Tisch, Boston Conservatory, Carolina Ballet Company and more Young dancers collectively received over $5 million in scholarships

MOVE|NYC| Co-Founders Chanel DaSilva and Nigel Campbell and Executive Director Niya Nicholson proudly announce the 17-members of the Class of 2025 Young Professionals Program that are admitted to the nation’s top colleges and conservatories including The Julliard School, Yale University, Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, NYU Tisch, Boston Conservatory, Pace University, Carolina Ballet Company and more.
 
Celebrating its 10^th Anniversary, MOVE|NYC| is a leading-edge New York City based arts and social justice organization, whose mission is to cultivate greater diversity and equity in the dance field and beyond. MOVE|NYC| focuses on shaping the next generation of dance artists and change agents.
 
Since its first full graduating class in 2019, 100% of the MOVE|NYC| graduates matriculated to some of the nation’s top colleges, conservatories and professional training programs, as well as professional dance companies around the world. The 2025 Class collectively received over $5 million in scholarships.
 
Chanel DaSilva, MOVE|NYC| Co-Founder & CEO of Strategy & New Initiatives, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the extraordinary Class of 2025 Young Professionals. Over this past decade, MOVE|NYC|’s impact has been deep and wide.  Excellence requires access. Our dancers have accelerated their careers into the collegiate and professional dance fields by feeling empowered and truly ready to move forward.  We have watched them reach for the stars and shared their dreams and ambitions, and their success is our greatest 10 Year Anniversary achievement.”
 
The MOVE|NYC| Young Professionals Program is 100% tuition-free. The year-round Mentorship & College/Conservatory Prep Program is designed for New York City teenagers, ages 13 – 18, who demonstrate exceptional potential for a career in dance and identifies talent at every stage of technical development. By offering critical access to opportunities for mentorship and training, young dancers are prepared for admission to collegiate conservatory programs.
 
MOVE|NYC| Nigel Campbell, Co-Founder, Artistic Director & CEO of Programming & Artist Development, said, “Our goal has always been to cultivate a dance field more reflective of the world. We are proud to continue doing this work with artistic excellence and diversity at the forefront!  When we see our dancers on stage, we are witnessing a new generation of energy, talent and spirit who share their joy of dance with new audiences and demonstrate the transformative power of art. We can’t wait to see what happens next!”
 
Tenzin Niles from Brooklyn will be attending The Juilliard School. “I auditioned for the Young Professionals Program, because I started my training in classical ballet and felt a need to expand my horizons. MOVE|NYC| gives us the opportunity to grow as an artist.  I found out how much bigger the world of dance could be. MOVE|NYC| teaches us to be fearless, and there is no point in being timid. If you want to dance, you have to dance. Because we are young, some people see us as not really sure about what we are doing.  Here we are valued as artists, and MOVE|NYC| gave me that power. We also have the opportunity to benefit from a community of alumni who are professionals in the field. This is a brotherhood and sisterhood of people you feel connected to in life, because the alumni understand us and have been on this journey before. Thanks to MOVE|NYC|I have been able to make bold connections and seize the possibility of forging a future in dance.”
 
Cai Williams-Lovell from Queens will be attending Yale University. Cai started dancing at the age of 4.  She said, ”As I reflect on my three years with MOVE|NYC|, I can confidently say that being a part of the Young Professionals Program has made me not only a better artist but also a better person. As I approached high school, I wasn’t sure how I would integrate dance into my adult life. I didn’t know how many opportunities there really were to dance professionally. This program has equipped me with everything I need to succeed technically, professionally and artistically. I have felt myself grow and experience the transformation firsthand. MOVE|NYC| has opened my eyes to a world of artistic possibilities that I am excited to dive into in college and beyond.”
 
Luis Pauletta from the Bronx will be joining the Carolina Ballet Company. Luis started dancing at the age of 9.  He said, “MOVE|NYC| has made a huge impact on my future as a dancer by providing me with incredible resources, tools and a true sense of home. Being part of the Young Professionals Program for three years has been a once in a-lifetime opportunity, especially since I was reconnecting with dance and expanding beyond just ballet into different styles.”
 
Lily Ruiz from Manhattan will be attending Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. Lily started dancing at the age of 3. She said, “MOVE|NYC| has truly changed my life as both a dancer and a person. Before I joined the program, I really didn’t know what it would take to become successful, even in paths outside of dance. I have learned (and continue to learn) important and professional life lessons that have guided me to who I am today and where I will continue to go throughout college and beyond. I am eternally grateful to MOVE|NYC| as their mission has and will forever guide me on a path of excellence.”
 
Members of the MOVE|NYC| Class of 2025 include: Fabricio Aguilera/Purchase College Conservatory of Dance; Emma Boyles/Point Park University; Ryleigh Chan/Purchase College Conservatory of Dance; Ava-Nicole Fincher/Purchase College Conservatory of Dance; Bea Gibbons/University of Michigan; Angelina Jaramillo/Purchase College Conservatory of Dance; Ava-Rachel Lieber/NYU Tisch – Musical Theater; Skylah Miller/Boston Conservatory; Tenzin Niles/The Juilliard School; Luis Pauletta/Carolina Ballet Company; Kristina Poon/George Mason University; Brianna Ruiz/University of Tampa; Lily Ruiz/Purchase College Conservatory of Dance; Casey Seifer/Pace University; Lucia Szell/Purchase College Conservatory  of Dance; Alannah Vass/Purchase College Conservatory  of Dance, and Cai Williams-Lovell/Yale University.                      
 
MOVE|NYC| is based in New York City with a satellite program in Washington, D.C. Dancers perform cutting edge works by renowned and  emerging choreographers in New York City at premier venues such as New York City Center, Little Island, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music and more, along with sites in Washington, D.C. The Class of 2025 life-changing opportunities included an incredible performance at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by an amazing Opening Act for the 2024 Radio City Christmas Spectacular and more.
 
About MOVE|NYC|
MOVE|NYC| focuses on shaping the next generation of dance artists and leaders by providing tuition-free artistic training, mentorship and professional development and presenting opportunities and other essential resources for career advancement to promising dancers. Through its programs, activities and youth ensemble, MOVE|NYC| is committed to artistic excellence, mentorship, community engagement, equity and social change. Please visit www.movenyc.nyc.