IGNITE DANCE INTENSIVE

IGNITE DANCE INTENSIVE was founded in 2022 at Enloe High School by Chania Wilson in collaboration with Helon Davis and Rebecca McRae as the first county-wide dance intensive offered specifically for WCPSS students. The original purpose was to re-ignite passion for dance and inform students about dance careers post high school. The summer intensive has occurred annually with multiple masterclasses local and national artists sharing their passion for dance with middle and high school students. Ignite Dance Intensive has since continued under Nine Movement Collective and won the United Arts Community Spotlight Grant in 2024. 

We are excited to continue this programming and are thankful for our community partners, United Arts, Arts Together, and VAE Raleigh. 

Chania Wilson is a dance artist, educator, and arts leader and the Founder and Executive Director of IGNITE Dance Intensive, a multi-day immersive training program she launched in 2022 to expand access to rigorous, values-driven dance education for young artists. 

Since its founding, IGNITE has grown into a multi-track program serving pre-professional dancers (ages 13–18) and professional and adult dancers (18+), offering technique training, choreographic exploration, mentorship, and community-centered learning. Under Wilson’s leadership, IGNITE has expanded beyond summer programming to include Winter Intensives, responding directly to student feedback and the need for year-round, accessible training opportunities.

Wilson has led IGNITE’s curriculum development, faculty curation, and partnership building, collaborating with local schools, studios, and teaching artists to create cohort-based training models that support both technical excellence and holistic artist development. 

The program prioritizes equity, access, and sustainability, offering tiered pricing, scholarships, and school- and studio-based partnerships.

Tyra Keitt is a professional dancer, choreographer, creative director, and educator with a passion for performance, storytelling, and building community through movement. She began her training in competitive dance, studying ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, and tumbling, developing a versatile foundation that continues to shape her dynamic style.

After obtaining her Undergraduate degree, she began teaching competitive dance, where her choreography earned numerous awards and recognition. In addition to studio training, she worked within Wake County Public School System dance programs as a choreographer and teacher, producing full-scale performances and recitals with middle and high school students. Her teaching experience spans all ages, from as young as 18 months through adults, allowing her to cultivate dancers at every stage while emphasizing confidence, discipline, and performance quality.

In pursuit of expanding her artistry, Tyra moved to Los Angeles and worked at Playground LA, one of the largest professional dance studios in the US. There, she assisted choreographers in class, sessioned choreography for instruction, and served as a stand-in body for creative development. She also worked behind the scenes as a creative director and choreographer for live performances and video projects.

While in LA, Tyra expanded her training in heels, jazz funk, contemporary fusion, and hip hop at all levels, with a strong focus on performance and musicality. She has trained with and worked alongside industry-renowned choreographers connected to major artists and productions, further sharpening her versatility and professional presence.

At the core of Tyra’s work is a desire to create accessible, inspiring spaces for dancers to grow, explore, and feel empowered. Her long-term dream is to open a dance studio that not only trains dancers but also builds confidence, community, and opportunity through movement.