User:Dancer1019/sandbox

Marinda Davis
Artistic Director, marInspired, the storytellers. Choreographer. Dance Educator. Creator. Survivor.

Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Marinda Davis began her dance training at the age of two at Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy. She attended Blake High School of the Arts and participated in regional musical theater. Marinda toured the convention circuit and worked as an assistant to Gus Giordano, Dee Caspary, Ray Leeper, Lisa Allain and Kacy Combs. During these years she began to create her signature style. She attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, on scholarship, graduating in 2005 with her BA in Dance with a minor in Musical Theater. While attending Marymount she trained at Broadway Dance Center, studying and assisting one of her mentors, Sheila Barker.

Career and Achievements
Marinda danced professionally for Sting and 98 Degrees and was a soloist for Anthony Morigerato’ s company, AMDP, NY. She has been on faculty for Broadway Dance Center, Edge and Peridance Capezio Dance Center. She has worked with WILD dance convention and is the choreographer for Starpower’s PowerPak. Marinda created her company, marInspired: the storytellers in New York in 2009, where they performed their work in places such as The Giving Tree, Platform at El Portal, DRA’s Dancin’ Downtown, The Joyce Theater, and the Young Choreographer’s Festival at Symphony Space.  In 2010 she was recognized as one of the Top 10 Young American Choreographers 25 and Under. In 2012, her first full length show “breakable” premiered at The Salvatore Capezio Theater, where it was completely sold out. Also in 2012 Marinda choreographed This.Could.Save.Me. for the Capezio Ace Awards. In 2013 Marinda and her company moved to the West Coast. In 2015 she collaborated with Frankie Z and choreographed his music video, Hello. Also in 2015, Marinda was nominated for her second Capezio ACE Award in 2015, where she tied for 2nd runner up, allowing her to present her full length show, UNbreakable in August 2016. The cast of 17 dancers premiered this piece at Dancerpalooza and at the El Portal in North Hollywood. UNbreakable was based on the Kübler-Ross model of the five stages of grief, focusing on the ideas of trauma and triumph and the strength of the human spirit. In 2017 UNbreakable premiered at Symphony Space in New York City. marInspired and it’s selected dancers have also appeared at Club Jete in North Hollywood and The Giving Tree in New York.

Strength through Struggles
Marinda has been diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases including Dysautonomia, Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune connective tissue disorder, Cushing’s Disease, an unidentified gastronomical disease, Lupus, insulin resistance and Hashimoto’s Disease. Marinda has worked through these challenges, continuing to choreograph and teach world wide. In 2014, Marinda created a danceBRAVE clothing line which was partnered with American Apparel, with part of the proceeds being donated to Dysautonomia International. On November 18, 2018 a piece choreographed by Marinda Davis chronicling her illness and struggles was performed on Dancing With the Stars with Julianne Hough, playing Marinda. The piece was to Wouldn’t Change a Thing, performed by Marc Ballas and wife BC Jean, who are the group Alexander Jean. The piece begins with Julianne (portraying Marinda) at the doctor’s office receiving news, appearing scared, and then dancing with a group of dancers through her grief. Hough stated, "This dance is Marinda's story that she's choreographed. I could not be more honored that she chose me to play her, and that we get to share her gift with the world." In May 2018 Marinda was featured in a series on the CW, My Last Days, which chronicles the stories of people facing terminal illnesses, however living life to the fullest. Davis said “Dance pretty much saved my life. It’s what keeps me going and it’s an outlet to channel all of the emotions that I feel. I have a dance company and I made a show about the five stages of grief about being diagnosed with something that shortens your life. It’s incredibly healing.” “There’s truly room for everyone in this industry, but the second you begin to imitate someone else’s voice — your lane disappears,” she sums up. “Stay authentic to your creativity.”

''“So ....show up. Never stop learning. Remain humble. Don't expect. Work hard. Enjoy the process over the product's results. Think of your gift as a loan. Attempt to be self made. Be a good person. My talent has gotten me far, but who I am has gotten me farther a fact made clear to me by support that currently surrounds us. Give as much as you can; it always comes back around when you least expect it.”'' Marinda Davis