Eleventh-grader Destyni Cohen, who is a student at North Springs High School’s Performing Arts Magnet Program, won a spot in the DC NEXT 2024 Summer Choreographic Intensive Program.
“Destyni is the perfect recipient for the DC Next summer scholarship,” said Denise M. Kent, one of North Springs High School’s two dance teachers, along with Monica D. Noble. “She is an amazing young artist, both in terms of her dance technique and creative mindset.”
Cohen was one of more than 250 dancers competing for 25 spots in the program, according to a press release. She was also awarded a scholarship to attend. The program will take place July 8-26 at Georgia Tech.
The North Springs Dance Magnet hosts this yearly audition, providing professional summer opportunities to provide its students with opportunities for growth within the medium of dance, the release said.
DC NEXT Summer Choreographic Intensive gives students essential career-building skills by immersing them in the world of professional dance, both onstage and backstage. Students are selected to participate in DC NEXT based on their enthusiasm, focus and desire to learn about the dance profession.
In addition to dance classes with instructors from across the country, DC NEXT focuses on daily workshops and coaching in leadership development, goal setting, college and career placement, branding as an artist, choreography/composition, and team building.
Students produce a performance and market it to the community. Through their workgroups in event planning, media relations, design, and social media marketing, students create a budget, delegate tasks, design the playbill, create a marketing plan to sell tickets, choreograph, and perform.