EISENHOWER DANCE DETROIT YOUTH ENSEMBLE
Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s Pre-Professional Company for Young Dancers
MISSION STATEMENT
The EDD Youth Ensemble pre-professional program at the School of EDD seeks to provide an enhanced experience for students interested in preparing for a dance career or simply to take their training to the next level. Grounded in the fundamentals of the Eisenhower pedagogy, EDDYE offers expanded opportunities for students to train more rigorously, engage with guest artists, learn from visiting choreographers, and perform more frequently.
ABOUT THE EDD YOUTH ENSEMBLE
Eisenhower Dance Detroit Youth Ensemble was founded in 2016 under the direction of Molly McMullen with strong support and guidance from the Eisenhower Dance Detroit professional company and leadership. This season, former Alvin Ailey dancer Judy Milner assumes the role of EDDYE Artistic Director. The mission of EDDYE is to provide aspiring students the highest caliber of dance education with a unique training environment in preparation for future professional careers in dance. Training under the Eisenhower movement philosophy helps develop these young dancers into sharp, strong technicians as well as well rounded artists and human beings. EDDYE proudly boasts alumni who have attended high ranking dance programs at both the professional and collegiate levels.
EDDYE often shares the stage performing a work of their own within Eisenhower Dance Detroit professional performances. With this opportunity, the pre-professional company gains exposure to some of Detroit’s largest dance audiences as well as on some of the highest acclaimed stages. EDDYE commissions two guest choreographers per season and has performed works by Stephanie Pizzo, Laurie Eisenhower, Teresa Mueller, Alex Hlavaty and Lillie Hamilton.
The company is divided into five level-based companies ranging in ages from 8-18: Training, Junior, Apprentice, 2nd and the highest level company, 1st company. Led by Artistic Director Judy Milner, and supported by a team of well qualified Directors including Tara Charvat, Lindsay Chirio-Humenay, Alex Hlavaty, Nirvan Singh, and Katy Ploch. EDDYE annually produces the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” which premiered in December of 2021.
Since 2016, EDDYE has received top 12 placements at YAGP Regionals and has been selected to compete in the YAGP NYC finals. The company was accepted into Regional Dance America MidStates in 2018 which gives the dancers an annual opportunity to take master classes, audition for scholarships and college programs and stay connected to pre-professional peers across the country. Through RDA, the company has received several choreographic awards including The National Choreography Recognition award and the Monticello Emerging Choreographer Award and Scholarship. Other performances have included Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Rochester’s Art and Apples festival, collaborations with the Friendship Circle and Pure Existences’ X2 among many performances within Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s main stage concerts.
EDDYE proudly boasts alumni who have attended high ranking dance programs at both the professional and collegiate levels.
Boston Conservatory
Joffrey Ballet School Year Round Trainee and BFA Programs
Barnard University
NYU Tisch
University of Michigan
Western Michigan University
Hope College
Oakland University
Wayne State University
Webster University
Sarah Lawrence College
Juilliard
Point Park University
Indiana University
Professional Trainee and Job Credits:
Miami City Ballet
Ballet Met
Sarasota Contemporary Dance
Big Muddy Contemporary Dance Company
Chicago Repertory Ballet
EDD YOUTH ENSEMBLE STRUCTURE
The Training Company hosts our youngest EDDYE dancers starting at age 8 or by teacher recommendation. With a focus on developing and nurturing the creative potential in young children, the dancers have the opportunity to perform in three or more main-stage productions throughout the season.
The Junior Company continues the exploration of creative movement and focuses on the development of performance discipline and dance technique. Junior Company dancers have the opportunity to perform in three or more main-stage productions throughout the season.
The Apprentice Company continues to develop the young dancers' performance and technical skills while also stressing ensemble work and a higher level of technical proficiency. Apprentice dancers are the first tier of the pre-professional division of EDDYE and have the opportunity to perform in three or more main-stage productions throughout the season.
The 2nd Company continues the growth and development of the dance performer by expanding choreographic experiences and time spent in the studio. Master classes and guest choreographer residencies are offered to the 2nd Company dancers who perform in several productions throughout the year including the annual Dance Mosaics concert. The 2nd company proudly participates in Regional Dance America annually.
The 1st Company, the highest level EDDYE company, focuses on expanding the dancers’ choreographic experiences with guest artists and the exploration of their own unique movement vocabulary as well. The dancers also have several opportunities to perform throughout the year including the annual Dance Mosaics concert. Master classes and guest choreographer residencies are offered throughout the season. The 1st company proudly participates in Regional Dance America annually.
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Judy Milner began her training and career under direction of Clifford Fears, original company member of Katherine Dunham Dance Company as well as Ms. Dunham herself. She also trained with Carol Morisseau of Detroit City Dance Company before receiving scholarship to train at the Ailey School in New York, where she began her professional career as a dancer. Ms. Milner also performed around the world with artists like: Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, The O’Jays & Lavertte, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Heavy D, Aliyah, Mary J Blige and more recently, Janet Jackson’s State of The World Tour 2018 to name a few. As an Actress, Ms. Milner performed in stage plays, TV & film with artists like: Kim Fields, Charles Dutton, Debbie Morgan, Chip Fields, Glynn Turman, Denzel Washington and Vanessa Williams.
Ms. Milner has a Bachelors in Dance Education, Masters in Curriculum & Instruction, Doctorate in Organization Management.
Ms. Milner was Program Director, choreographer and dance teacher at Winans Academy of Performing Arts under leadership of Grammy Award winning gospel artist Marvin L. Winans, AMDA Summer Program, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, The Link School of the Arts, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Black Academy of Arts in Letters, School of Fine Arts Camp and is currently dance teacher/program manager at Silver Creek High School and Artistic Director of Ailey Arts & Education Program with UC Berkley/Cal Performances in CA.
Ms. Milner has taught and/or Adjudicated at dance competitions like: Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP), ACT-SO, NYCDA & Capezio A.C.E. Award Competition.
Ms. Milner is a member of Dance Alliance, National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), National Liturgical Dance Network & International Association of Blacks In Dance (IABD).
Ms. Milner has guest taught at Wayne State University, Oakland University, Washington University, University of Michigan, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Western Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Eastern Michigan University, UC Berkeley, The Link School of the Arts and the Black Academy of Arts & Letters (TBAL). Ms. Milner have trained students who have attended these colleges and others who are currently professional dancers with Alvin Ailey, Ballet West, NYC Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cleo Parker Robinson, Dayton Contemporary, Paul Taylor, Evidence, Washington Ballet, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
Ms. Milner is the mother of daughters, India, who begin her professional dance career with New York City Ballet Summer 2017 and Iman, actress, author and director, respectively.
FOLLOW THE EDD YOUTH ENSEMBLE ON INSTAGRAM!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EDD YOUTH ENSEMBLE?
Contact EDDYE Artistic Director, Judy Milner, at milner@eisenhowerdance.org