About Us
Universal Dance Destiny (UDD) is a premier Dance Performance/Entertainment Company based in Minnesota. UDD is contracted throughout the school year and during Summer months to instruct Dance programs at educational facilities in Minnesota. UDD is available to teach Master Classes and professional Workshops at other studios. We are home to the "Enfinity Dancers" Hip Hop Dance Crew and the "UDD Company Ensemble". We are are honored to have some of the best youth "breakers" and "krumpers" in the world! The company has an array of unique, diverse performers of all age, nationality, and cultural background. We believe, "We are all one" regardless of the color of our skin. We specialize in dance entertainment for music videos, movies, pageants, concerts, and tours to name a few. We offer instruction, choreography, performances, workshops, residencies, and theatrical exhibits in a wide variety of today's dance styles, including:
· Hip Hop
· Breaking/Popping/Locking
· Private Ballroom Lessons
· Reggae/Dancehall
· Traditional West African
· African Social dance - including Soukous/Makossa/Mapouka/ Ndombolo' and Coupe'/Decale' (technical versions)
Universal Dance Destiny company members teaches, entertains for, and inspires people of all ages in schools, community education center/facilities, theaters, businesses, churches, and a wide variety of specialty events throughout the world.
If you would like to audition to become a member of the company's ensemble or one of the dance groups under UDD, (see full list on "Bios" page), click here.
Mission
UDD's mission is to connect all communities and keep the universe movin' through the history, meaning, and movement of dance. We believe demonstrating the value of various dance forms fosters respect for different cultural groups. We strive to inspire individuals - especially youth - to discover their inner talent, confidence and style.
Edna Idelle Stevens
Artistic Director/Professional Dancer/Choreographer
Founder of Universal Dance Destiny
Born and raised in Liberia, Africa, Edna Stevens has loved dance since she was a child. African dance, used to celebrate, honor, glorify, uplift and express feelings, played a major role in Edna's heritage and culture.
Edna was crowned winner of her school's annual Liberian Pageant shortly before relocating to the United States in 1981 during her early childhood. It was apparent that her energy, talent, and charisma blew the audience away. At that moment, Edna knew dance was her destiny.
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Before moving from New York to the Twin Cities in 2002, Edna expanded her African dance knowledge to Hip Hop, Reggae/Dancehall, Jazz, and Tap. One of her first dance teaching jobs was located at Queens Community College in New York. As a side job, Edna modeled and was featured in numerous music videos and magazines. Most of the time, she was cast to play the role of "girl with the pretty face". However, while taping one day, Edna amazed the director, video crew, and everyone on set with her dance moves and ability. Using every opportunity to showcase her true talent to the world, Edna danced in the party scenes at the music videos. This gave Edna the break she desired. Soon enough, Edna achieved credit for being more than just the pretty face. Bookings to dance back up in music videos soon followed. Driven to succeed in what she loved, she auditioned to dance on MTV "The Grind". At the audition, Edna knew she would have to stand out in order to make the cut. Though a bit nervous, Edna made the judges go wild as she danced on the wall upside down and jumped high into the air - landing into a split as she bounced up and down (a trick Edna has made popular today and is well- known for doing at the end of her performances). Edna made the cut dancing on the show for three years. Meeting music entertainers, recording artist, and celebrities was just the icing on the cake!
After moving to Minnesota to be closer to her mom, Edna studied basic to intermediate Ballroom dance such as: Rhumba, Salsa/Mambo, Meringue, Eastern single and Triple x Swing, Cha-cha, Waltz, and Tango at "Let's Dance Studios" in Roseville MN.
Shortly after in 2004, Edna started her own Dance Performance and Entertainment Company. In the past the company offered Dance Classes in Hip Hop, Reggae Dancehall, Breaking, Popping, traditional and social West African dances (to live drumming and recorded Congolese/Ivorian music). Now Edna and other UDD instructors are privately contracted to instruct dance at Educational Facilities, Dance Studios, and Churches. Our professional instructors are available for out of town and overseas bookings. Private lessons and wedding dance preparation signifies UDD as a dance company like non other. Today Edna has expanded the company into five divisions offering services for every entertainment and educational need. Here is the list of what we offer:
* Contracted Dance Educator and Teaching Artist: Privately hired or sub contracted by Educational Facilities, Dance Studios, or other organizations to instruct Dance Programs or Camps in the school year and Summer months for people of all ages, teaching them a variety of dance styles.
* Entertainment Company: Specializing in booking back-up dancers to accompany recording artist for concerts, music videos, tours, and more. Artist/Event management must send us the music in advance. UDD professional talented and highly skilled entertainers also specialize in event and party entertainment.
* Theater Production/Exhibits: Touring our top hit family production, "African Roads, American Streets".
* Artist Development and Consulting: Whether seasoned or new to the stage, UDD will get the artist ready to take any stage and make it their best friend. Choreographed personalized dance routines are taught! Performance tips will help the artist gain confidence and capture his/her audience throughout the entire show. We do choreography for pageantry, dance competitors, and NFL cheerleading tryouts too.
* Roster of Performing/Teaching Artist (for performances, workshops, and residencies): UDD roster consist of a wide selection of entertainers, performing artist, and dancers that work with the company. We have a list that consist of beat-boxers, spoken word artist, graffiti artist, teaching artist, drummers, breakers, and more.
Edna has grown to become an experienced dance instructor, entertainer, and entrepreneur. She has taught and performed overseas and all over the United States. Some of her past dance credits and achievements include:
· Dancer for MTV
· Live performance on BET
· Appeared in over 10 music videos for such well-known artists as Faith Evans, Donnell Jones,
Wu-Tan Clan, The Fugees, Lil'Kim, Michael Jackson and more
· Overseas dancing in a group representing the United States for "The World Culture Expo 1998"
in Korea
· Dancer in a TV series in Japan
· Opening performance with former dance group for "The Reggae Tamika Awards,"
held in New York
· Independently contracted as a dance instructor/choreographer/teaching artist/performer
for schools, theaters, business corporations, and more
· Founder and co-choreographer of UDD's Company Ensemble and Dance Groups
In January of 2007, Edna was interviewed and featured in a documentary tittled "A People Torn", about Liberians living in Minnesota. To view, log on to www.startribune.com/liberia and click on the link "Music's sustaining rhythms".
During the school year, Edna instructs youths at various schools and other locations throughout the Twin Cities. Edna and the other teaching artist on UDD roster, are available to teach master classes and workshops nationally and internationally. Edna has taught dance classes, after school programs, workshops, community education programs and residencies at over 200 facilities in New York, and primarily in Minnesota. She has instructed dance at performing arts schools, as well as others with dance programs such as: Perpich Center for Arts Education, Buffalo High School, Fair Elementary, Whittier Elementary, St. Paul Performing Arts High School, and the "We Win Institute" at Jordan Park to name a few. Her high energy dance choreography and teaching technique is on high demand. See our "Lessons"page for information on the variety of classes UDD can offer at your facility.
Edna enjoys working with and being a positive role model for youth. She has been offered the opportunity to perform her production, "African Roads, American Streets," on tour at universities throughout the Midwest. Along with selected cast members, Edna is excited to move the company into a new artistic direction nationally and worldwide. To learn more about "African Roads, American Streets," or considering booking us to come to your town, click on the link on our home page and also read our technical rider.
Our Company rehearsals are held at private locations closed to the public. To inquire about auditioning to be considered into one of our Dance Groups, call or email us today!
UDD Performance Company Ensemble
The ensemble is a mix of professional performers ranging in all ages,
cultural backgrounds and genders. Some are independently hired to work
with UDD to do performances, workshops, and residencies. The diverse team of performers have a true love for performing and teaching their skills. They strive to promote the arts and cultural diversity.
Read about our instructors and other company members!
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