Catch up with Critt

Dancestry is an independent culturally creative group that is founded by 'Baba' Freddy Rivera.  A Charlotte gem, Freddy Rivera is a renowned drum master and leader in the African dance community. Dancestry and LCritt came together for this event in support of our family friend, Elsie Mufuka, who was grieving the loss of her mother. We thank them for this shared experience and continued support.

The alumni of MufukaWorks Dance Company returned to send off our team mom, Eddies Mufuka, at her celebration of life dance performance. In honor of her contagious spirit and determination, we performed an original work by founder and daughter, Elsie Mufuka, as an example of our community and tribe based friendship and sisterhood. Thank you Elsie Mufuka and the Mufuka family for allowing us to honor the Mrs. Eddies Mufuka.

NCDEO (North Carolina Dance Educators Organization) hosts their annual conference in which Dance Educators from around North Carolina attend to receive professional development, network, and exchange expertise. LCritt was selected to present, for the first time, her original concept 'Brazilian Blends' at an exploration into ethical approaches to fusion dance forms. 

Rollin' in the Carolinas is a yearly skate event that aims to bring skaters and skate enthusiasts together for a weekend long of communion, community, and a shared love of the Black experience of roller skating. This is only one of many major skate conventions where the unique skating styles of the regions get to showcase our differences while celebrating our similarities!

It has been over 15 years since CMS has hosted an Dance Honors showcase to acknowledge the Dance Scholars of the district and their dedication to their dance education and technique. LCritt's first ever Dance Honors Performance Team is made up of 7th and 8th grade Level II students who donated their spare time during and after school to presenting and showcasing their Latin dance honors routine based on the 2006 film, 'Take the Lead'. Students received county recognition and certificates for their participation in this event.

LCritt had the honor and opportunity to host a Jazz Vernacular and  Brazilian Blends master classes to the dance majors at Winthrop University. Through this experience, students explored Black vernacular dances and their evolution over time. Other students dropped into the Brazilian Blends class for an equitable approach to Samba No Pé and how Brazilian Blends utilizes the essence of Rio style Samba with Black American expressions.

The Dance Honors Performance Team joins CMS Arts Show at the 2025 Charlotte SHOUT Arts Festival. The recently renovated 'Carolina Theater' opened its doors for the first time since 1924 and our Dance Honors Performance Team demonstrated professionalism and problem solving when performing at a festival experience. LCritt continues to be proud of the work these students put into their dance education.

LCritt returns to her alumni at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to reconnect and catch up with professors, cohorts, and peers of the Dance Department. This was an opportunity to see the Spring 2025 Dance Concert and to reminisce about times spent as an undergraduate at UNCC. Thank you to the Dance Department and UNC Charlotte for creating this opportunity to return to where it all started!

UNC Charlotte Fraternity and Sorority life hosts their annual 'Airband' competition in which members of each organization create a unique showcase of dance, theater, and spectacle in order to win the grand prize and bragging rights in which Airband had become known for. This was LCritt's first time hosting at this event and was proud to represent the Divine 9 and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. at this campus favorite event. Thank you to UNCC Fraternity and Sorority life board for welcoming me to this event.

Charlotte Cultural Collective returns to the annual BOOM Festival to present their original work 'Xriss-Xross' and their 'Brazilian Blends' Season 6 choreography. We're honored to present our creative cultural pieces as well as our modern explorations to the greater Charlotte area. Thank you BOOM for your continued support of our work and efforts!

The Charlotte Ballet REACH End-of-Year Presentation is a culminating performance that celebrates the growth, dedication, and artistic achievements of students participating in the REACH outreach program. Designed to expand access to high-quality dance education, REACH provides students across the Charlotte community with training in ballet, cultural dance forms, and creative movement—many of whom are experiencing formal dance education for the first time.

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As a Teaching Artist within the REACH program since 2018, I work with students to build not only Latin dance technical skills, but confidence, discipline, and a deeper understanding of dance as both an art form and a cultural practice. Throughout the year, students engage in structured classes that emphasize musicality, storytelling, and self-expression, all of which come to life on stage during the final presentation.

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The End-of-Year Presentation serves as a powerful moment of visibility and celebration. Students share original choreography and repertory work that reflects their training, creativity, and personal growth. For many families and community members, this performance is an opportunity to witness the transformative impact of arts education firsthand.

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In alignment with Teacher Appreciation Week, this moment also honors the dedication of teaching artists and educators who pour into their students with care, intention, and cultural responsiveness. It is a time to recognize the meaningful relationships built in the studio, the commitment to equitable arts access, and the role of educators in shaping not only dancers, but confident and expressive young people.

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This celebration stands as a testament to the power of community, the importance of representation in the arts, and the lasting impact of dance education.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Arts Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony is an annual celebration honoring outstanding educators across the arts disciplines—dance, music, theatre, and visual arts—who demonstrate excellence in teaching, artistic innovation, and student impact.

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In 2025, I was honored to be nominated for Performing Arts Educator of the Year, a recognition that reflects my ongoing commitment to arts education, student development, and culturally responsive teaching practices. This nomination represents not only individual achievement, but the collective work happening within my classroom and school community to elevate dance as a vital and transformative part of education.

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The ceremony brings together educators, administrators, and arts advocates from across the district to recognize the powerful role the arts play in shaping student identity, confidence, and academic engagement. Nominees are celebrated for their ability to create inclusive learning environments, foster creativity, and inspire students to reach their full artistic and personal potential.

Being recognized among such impactful educators is both humbling and affirming. It reinforces my dedication to providing meaningful dance experiences that center culture, creativity, and excellence, while continuing to advocate for equitable access to arts education for all students.

I earned my Master of Arts in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where my graduate studies centered on the intersection of cultural dance practices, identity, and pedagogy. My thesis, “Samba No Pé and the Intersectionality of Blackness,” is a research-driven exploration of how Black identities are experienced, represented, and at times marginalized within Afro-Brazilian dance communities in the United States.

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This work was grounded in both qualitative research and embodied practice, incorporating interviews, surveys, and movement-based inquiry to center the lived experiences of Black dancers engaging with Samba No Pé. Through this process, my research examined questions of authenticity, cultural lineage, representation, and access—highlighting the importance of preserving the integrity of the form while ensuring that Black voices remain central within its practice and evolution.

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A key component of my thesis was the development of a culturally responsive curriculum informed by my findings. This curriculum is designed to support educators and practitioners in teaching Samba No Pé through a lens that prioritizes historical context, cultural respect, and identity awareness. It provides strategies for fostering inclusive learning environments, encourages critical dialogue around race and representation, and emphasizes the importance of honoring the African diasporic roots of the form.

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By bridging research and practice, this work contributes to ongoing conversations in dance education about equity, cultural integrity, and the role of educators in shaping more inclusive artistic spaces. My goal is to continue expanding this work—both in academic settings and in community-based dance spaces—to ensure that the study and performance of Samba No Pé remains rooted in both cultural authenticity and social awareness.

As an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Winthrop University, I teach Jazz I and Jazz II with a focus on honoring the cultural roots, historical lineage, and evolving nature of vernacular jazz dance. My courses are grounded in Africanist aesthetics, emphasizing rhythm, musicality, improvisation, and the embodied practices that shape Jazz as both a social and theatrical form.

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In the studio, I guide students through a progression of technical development while also encouraging critical engagement with the cultural and historical contexts of the work. Students explore the foundations of Jazz dance through movement, discussion, and performance, gaining a deeper understanding of its connections to Black social dance traditions and its influence on contemporary forms.

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My teaching approach integrates culturally responsive pedagogy, creating an environment where students are encouraged to examine issues of identity, representation, and authenticity within dance. Through structured coursework, performance opportunities, and reflective practices, students develop not only their technical skills but also their artistic voice and cultural awareness.

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In addition to teaching, I contribute to the broader dance program through curriculum development, student mentorship, and participation in departmental performances and initiatives. My goal is to support students in bridging their studio practice with academic inquiry, preparing them to engage thoughtfully and responsibly within the field of dance.

Through my work with Charlotte Ballet in partnership with the Arts & Science Council of North Carolina, I lead free Afro-Brazilian Culture Block dance classes designed to expand access to culturally rooted dance education within the Charlotte community.

These classes are grounded in Afro-Brazilian traditions, with a focus on forms such as Samba No Pé, while also exploring the broader cultural, historical, and social contexts that shape the movement. Participants engage not only in dance technique, but in conversations around lineage, identity, and the African diasporic roots that inform these practices.

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Offered at no cost to the community, the Culture Block classes create an inclusive and welcoming environment for participants of all backgrounds and experience levels. The goal is to remove barriers to arts access while providing high-quality instruction that honors the integrity and cultural significance of the form.

Each class centers joy, community, and embodied learning—encouraging participants to connect with the music, develop confidence in their movement, and experience dance as both personal expression and cultural exchange.

This initiative reflects my broader commitment to arts advocacy, cultural education, and ensuring that historically rooted dance practices remain accessible, respected, and celebrated within our local communities.

LCritt proudly participated in the 2025 Charlotte International Arts Festival with her dance troupe, Charlotte Cultural Collective. In partnership with the Loose Leaves Dance Showcase, they showcased their original choreographies, "Brazilian Blends" and "Urban Blends."

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Brazilian Blends is an exploration of the Afro-Brazilian dance forms into a cohesive and fun crowd engaging performance. Urban Blends demonstrates the intersectionality of Samba No Pé and Black Culture that is performs a fun routine with a grounded message.

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These vibrant performances highlight the rich cultural influences and dynamic movements that define their work. LCritt and C3 were thrilled share their passion for dance with the community and celebrate the beauty of artistic expressions.

At the 2025 Hola Charlotte Latin Festival parade, LCritt and her Dance Honors Team proudly represented Cuba, leading a vibrant group of dance scholars in a captivating parade performance.

Through an engaging I.B. community event the students learned the fundamentals of traditional Cuban dance 'guaguanco.' This performance not only showcased their emerging talent but also highlighted the rich diversity of their Title I school and emphasized their unwavering support for the Latino community. Their participation was a testament to cultural pride and the importance of community engagement.

In 2025, LCritt had the incredible opportunity to participate with her dance troupe, Charlotte Cultural Collective, at the Queen City Dance Festival. We showcased our original fusion choreography, 'Urban Blends,' which beautifully combines Samba No Pé with traditional Black dances, all set to dynamic rap and hip-hop tracks.

This performance not only highlighted our creativity and passion dance but also celebrated the rich cultural influences that inspire our work. part of this festival allowed us to connect with fellow artists and share our unique vision with wider audience.

LCritt was so proud to share that her dance troupe, Charlotte Cultural Collective has been named Best Dance Organization in Charlotte by Queen City Nerve as part of their Best in the Nest 2025 Critics' Picks — and this is their first local award ever!

For those unfamiliar, Queen City Nerve is Charlotte's premier independent arts and culture publication, and their Best in the Nest recognition is one of the most respected honors in the Queen City's creative scene. What makes this especially meaningful is that the Arts & Entertainment Critics' Picks aren't voted on by the public — they're selected by the publication's own critics. This isn't a popularity contest. This is Charlotte's arts community saying: we see you, and what you're doing matters.

When she started Charlotte Cultural Collective, her vision was simple — create a space where dance professionals of every style and background could come together, perform, teach, and thrive. From our weekly AfroBlends classes to bringing the energy to your favorite events, everything we do is rooted in this city and the people in it. Receiving this recognition reminds us that the work is resonating, and that Charlotte is feeling what we've been building.

This is their first local award, and it will not be the last. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, danced with us, booked us, and believed in us. This one's for you.
👉 See the full Best in the Nest 2025 Arts & Entertainment winners here.

One of LCritt's favorite moments of the year — getting to step back and watch her young dancers show out.

The REACH Mid-Year Showing is a special checkpoint in our students' dance journey. Midway through the curriculum, this is the moment where everything they've been working on since day one gets to live outside of the studio walls and onto the stage. It's not just a performance — it's a progress report in the most beautiful form possible. You get to see the growth, the discipline, and the joy that these kids bring to the art every single week.

LCritt has had the privilege of teaching Latin dance for the REACH program since 2018, and this year our students have been diving deep into the world of Cuban dance and musicality. Watching young dancers discover the rhythms, the culture, and the movement vocabulary of Cuba has been nothing short of incredible. They're not just learning steps — they're learning how to listen to music differently, how to feel it in their bodies, and how to express something bigger than themselves through every move.

This showing also serves as the foundation for what's coming in the spring. Everything they present here is a stepping stone toward their end-of-year showcase, so the work is intentional and the stakes feel real — in the best way. Watching them rise to that challenge never gets old.

And beyond the dancing, there's something really special about gathering during the winter holiday season. It's a natural moment to pause, celebrate how far we've come, and close out 2025 with gratitude. These students have given so much of themselves this year, and this showing is our chance to honor that before we head into the new year.

If you've ever wanted to see what the REACH program is all about, this is the moment to witness it firsthand. Come support these young dancers — trust me, they will not disappoint.