Summer Dance Intensive 2022

Billy James Hawkains III, was first introduced to dance from the pews of his hometown Baptist church in Detroit, MI. Despite his lack of formal coaching, the fourteen-year-old, soon-to-be dancer began taking classes under Anthony Smith at Lewis Cass Technical High School where ballet was his first genre of study.  Learning at fourteen years of age what others learned at four didn't come easy, but Billy held tight to the budding passion inside of him. 

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Now a multidisciplinary dancer, choreographer, writer, and filmmaker; Billy James Hawkains recently made history as the first African American male in over fifteen years to hold an MFA in dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the first dancer to be featured on the cover and inside UNCG’s annual research magazine. Hawkains also holds a BFA in dance performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. 

In 2017, he began dancing with Theatre of Movement, a performance and visual art collective led by creative-visionary Duane Cyrus. Billy's work as a choreographic assistant to Cyrus can be seen in a number of works including  "Colony of Desire," a commission for the Charlotte Ballet that premiered in January 2020. Hawkains continued his work with the collective alongside mentor Duane Cyrus as a founding member of The Black Network; a band of artists, professionals and activists promoting funding opportunities and growth within the global black community. 

Throughout his career, Billy has performed world-renowned works by Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Doug Varone, Juel D. Lane, and many more. His unique dance style combines Ballet, Modern, Afro-contemporary, and Flow Acrobatics, to result in a visceral approach to movement that is both rhythmic and athletic. 

During his graduate research, Billy examined religious topics and themes in relation to movement. In his MFA thesis work, "By Fire", he explores his deep connection to Afro-diasporic spirituality through dance and music.  

Billy's current creative expression is triggered by his Christian faith, and his on-going research into African/African American religions and Black Culture. He continues his research under the mantle of his collective, The III Collective. Billy is currently serving as the Limited-term Assistant Professor of Dance at Kennesaw State University.

While he teaches Hip-Hop at CDT throughout the year, we are so excited to bring Kenny into our intensive to work with CDT dancers on his Broadway skills! Kenny Alika Keawekane is an Hawaiian born, Northern raised, Southern fried, and self-taught “Panda.” He has been performing, teaching, and choreographing professionally for the past 11 years in Central to Eastern Tennessee. He is constantly striving to be a better performer/artist, collaborating and engulfing himself in other types and styles of venues, art, and dance. His experiences include being a Choreographer at Coffee County High School for the Showchoir and Theater Program, playing Dr.Frankenfurter in Rocky Horror Picture Show, dancing in music videos for Eric Paisley and Call Me Spinster, appearing in a commercial for TUL Pens, creating and performing in shows at the Barking Legs Theater, and working with The Pop-Up Project and appearing in their dance film “The Light We Share.”