Miss Ashlee speaks on how impactful dance has been in her life and her mission to grow aspiring artists so they can find success on their own terms.
Since the moment she stepped foot on stage at the tender age of 3, Ashlee McKinnon knew that she was destined to dance for the rest of her days. She began her training in her hometown in North Carolina with competition jazz and tap before expanding into pointe work. Ashlee attended the University of Maryland at College Park and earned a B.A. degree in Dance, focusing on Modern dance (specifically Graham and Hawkins). It was during this time that Ashlee explored other forms of movement such as hip-hop, African, and liturgical that would eventually lead her to becoming a “fusionist” choreographer and widely diverse dance teacher. Miss Ashlee received her Dance Education in K-12 Teaching Certification from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Professional Dancer Experience
BREathe Dance Project (DC)
AftaShock DC (part of Culture Shock DC, Inc)
The Kennedy Center- Millennium Stage (DC)
Harris Theater Millenium Park (Chicago)
Give Kids the World Village (Florida)
Choreographic Features
Bowie State University (MD)- Godspell the Musical
CBS Morning Show (television)- HamilKids featured story
NACHMO DC Showcase
Viareggio Youth Theatre Festival (Italy)- postponed due to COVID19
Artist in Residence and Teaching Experience
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
Story Tapestries (MD)
Imagination Stage Dance Theatre (MD)
Capital City Public Charter School (DC)
Sandy Spring Friends School (MD)
Lenior- Rhyne University (NC)
Washington Performing Arts (DC)
Professional Development/Certifications
Veteran Ready Community Arts Provider (Maryland State Department of Education)
Micro-Credential: Creative Classrooms (Maryland State Department of Education)
Arts Administrators of Color DMV Cohort 2 Graduate
Micro-Credential: Creative Aging (Maryland State Department of Education)
Certificate of Advanced Youth Development Training
Dance Masters of America Teacher Training Institute
Miss Ashlee McKinnon founded The Rehearsal Room in 2020 to provide aspiring artists with professional dance training, resourceful business skills and hands on mentoring. After seeing her students grow personally, academically, and emotionally through their positive involvement in dance education, Ashlee knew that her call was to provide a safe and knowledgable space for such work to continue. In the future, Ashlee hopes to spread the power of dance education through multiple venues of entertainment and education so everyone can reach their own level of personal and creative success.