Countess V. Winfrey
As a Nashville, TN native, my love for art began as a little girl with a pencil and a sketchbook. I later attended an arts magnet school (formerly “Wharton Arts Magnet Middle School”) where I intended to dive into the intricacies of visual art, but later was over taken by the ART OF DANCE.
Dance became a place for me to begin to build my confidence and expand my comfort with expression. I continued dancing in high school at Nashville School of the Arts, where my training and practice of the art form became much more rigorous and demanding. Simultaneously, mind my and my palette for all the dance world had to offer began to expand.
I attended the University of Memphis for college, and graduated with a B.S. in Health and Human Performance (with a concentration in Exercise and Sport Sciences) and a minor in Dance. I initially intended on becoming a Physical Therapist, but after witnessing Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and my heart was sold on the pursuit of dancing professionally. For the first time, I saw myself represented onstage.
In 2012, I moved to Dayton,OH to train with DCDC2, and am now in my 12th season dancing professionally with the company. After over a decade of dedication to studying my craft, becoming a teaching artist, choreographer, and serving as rehearsal director for DCDC, I will be matriculating into the role of Associate Artistic Director.
After years of performing and traveling the world, I began to become curious about my own artistry, and what I wanted to say. I’ve since taught at a myriad of universities, taught master classes both regionally and abroad, have choreographed for several regional dance company’s and institutions, and have grown to love to curate artistic experiences with collaborators of all artistic mediums.
My life’s trajectory has been far from ideal, and is ever evolving with twists and turns, unexpected happenings, and “AND SUDDENLY” moments. My love, adoration, and dedication to the arts has stitched itself into my life’s purpose. One thing I’ve become certain of: the hard work it takes to be a professional artist has become the “Heart Work” of my soul.