Shermeka Brown-Ancrum is a senior Dance major with a minor in Business who is currently in the Master’s program for Education. She is currently a part of the touring ensemble here at Drexel University. While on her Co-Op at Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!), she trained with the second company known as D2. She is currently still training with the second company as a trainee. Through her start of training at PHILADANCO!, she grew to love codified techniques such as Horton and Graham.
Shermeka’s dance career started with praise dancing at her church as a child. She grew a love for dancing and started to take dance classes in the seventh grade. Shermeka started teaching by choreographing praise dance at her church in 2016 and has recently choreographed for the Philadelphia Youth Ballet for their 2022 Spring Concert.
Shermeka is also a business owner and dance educator. Shermeka desires to be an excellent and inspiring dance educator and performer with the hopes and dreams of owning multiple dance studios and outreach programs for the less fortunate.
Shermeka has studied and trained under many well-known teachers, artists, and legends, including Joan Myers Brown, Kim Bear-Bailey, Zane Booker, Tracy Vogt, Kim Gadlin, Donald T. Lunsford, Janine N. Beckles, Antoinette Coward-Gilmore, Dara Meredith, and more.
In her own words, “I want to be a motivational speaker for the youth. I dream of making a change not only in dance but also in the world. I want to inspire young black girls in the dance world and provide a safe place for them. I also want them to understand they can dance and be excellent at it. Dance teaches discipline, growth, commitment, and time. Through dance, I have learned that perfecting your craft as an artist or creator takes time.”
Shermeka’s thoughts on her collaborative senior project:
“This may be known as getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. At the same time, I find the technique and expand the mind, body, and soul as I move freely as the music moves my feet. In due time, the movement shall find me, allowing me to focus and develop on being true to my self-discovery. Growth will come from expanding and just living in the moment.”