Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Greenwood.
Hi Bria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Madison, MS. I’m the oldest of five children and we were all involved in extracurricular activities growing up.
I started in ballet classes at Ballet Magnificat! (The World’s Premiere Christian Ballet Company) when I was nine years old. I was playing basketball, softball and doing ballet all at the same time, so it came time for me to choose what I wanted to pursue and stick with…I chose ballet! I’m so grateful I did!
After graduating high school in 2014, I started training in the trainee program at Ballet Magnificat-a program for aspiring professional ballet dancers.
During that time, I got to travel to Honduras, Guam and East Asia to perform and teach!
After my time in the program was up, I had to find somewhere else to dance. Ad Deum Dance Company, here in Houston, was suggested to me by the directors at Ballet Magnificat.
I went to Ad Deum’s summer intensive in 2017 and auditioned for the company. Ad Deum is a modern/contemporary company, and prior to going to the intensive, I had no prior modern training, so it was all very new for me!
A few weeks later, I was accepted into the second company. I moved to Houston that August!
I was with the second company for two years and then was promoted into the main company in the spring of 2019!
Along with dancing for Ad Deum, I teach ballet and contemporary at two studios! I absolutely love teaching and am so grateful that I get the honor to pour into the next generation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Several years ago, I tore my meniscus and had to have surgery to repair it. It took three months to recover. I’ve also dealt with an injury in my foot and spinal issues. Injuries are never ideal, but it’s in those moments that the Lord teaches me the most.
The biggest challenge so far has been my family and me walking through my Dad being diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer in 2017. To say we were shocked would be an understatement.
You never think a diagnosis like this will affect your family; until it does.
During this time, I had to make a decision if I was going to move to Houston or not.
My Dad told me that he didn’t want me to stop living my life and that he wanted me to do what God had called me to do.
Initially, the doctors thought he would only have 12-18 months to live, it’s now been over 4 1/2 years and he’s still here! He’s a walking miracle!
I’m so thankful that I made that step of faith to move to Houston, despite the prevalent fear of the unknown with my Dad.
The Lord has done exceedingly more than what I could ever ask or think in my life in Houston and in my family’s life back in MS.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional modern/contemporary dancer with the Ad Deum Dance Company. I love having the opportunity to go around Houston and its surrounding areas and bring hope, healing and joy to others through the art of dance.
It’s a unique opportunity to be able to share the hope, joy and love that I’ve received from God to others through the medium of dance.
I’ve had so many amazing, world-class teachers who have poured into me as a dancer and a person, and they’ve inspired the way I teach my students.
As a teacher, I challenge my kids to stretch outside of their comfort zone but also encourage them to recognize the gifts that they innately have,
I’m so grateful that I get to do what I do!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Dance seems to keep evolving, so I have no idea what it might look like in 5-10 years. But, what I can say is that I hope that our upcoming dancers continue to value the art of technique. Whether that’s ballet, modern, tap, etc., delving into the rigorous technique of your specific style is so worth it!
I’m so thankful that I stuck with training in classical ballet. It set the foundation for me to transition into the modern/contemporary world a little easier.
Contact Info:
- Email: briagreenwood96@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briasgreenwood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bria.greenwood
Image Credits
(last picture) NW Arkansas Democrat Gazette
