Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwayne Cook.
DWAYNE COOK, JR., began dancing at the age of three at The Houston Ballet Academy/J.C. Sanderson Elementary for the Performing Arts. He continued his training at Lamar Fleming Middle School Fine Arts Academy and was accepted into HSPVA. He joined Exclamation Dance Co. in 2006 under the direction of Kenneth Epting. Cook has also trained at the Ailey School, the School of American Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions, and received an apprenticeship for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Cook is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he received his degree in Modern Dance Performance. Cook’s professional credits also include being a company member with Philadanco and MetDance. Cook has performed in the Broadway productions of Kinky Boots, and The Wiz. He has worked with notable choreographers such as: Troy Powell, Earl Mosley, Christopher Huggins, Derrick Minter, Austin Hartel, Nathan Trice, Arthur Mitchell, Dudley Williams, Matthew Rushing, and Robert Battle. His commercial credits in BEYONCE, Chris Brown, Jazmine Sullivan, and Deborah Cox. Dwayne was also a top 30 semifinalist on season 9&10 of SYTYCD on Fox.
Great, 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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road ,some of the struggles I have faced I dare not mention just to avoid reliving. Though through it all I have kept God first and remained as humble as possible and eager to learn and give more every day. I mean I’ve literally been through it all from sleeping in my car, too sleeping in a McDonald’s in between tours to avoid being a burden to anyone else. I’ve lived in a hostel, hotel, apartment a house. I’ve struggled with an eating disorder, as well comfortability with acceptance of my sexuality. I’ve had many bumps and bruises along the way but I’ve also had Many helping hands. I thank God every day for my life lessons, and I apply them and try to teach them to the discipline of dance to not only my students but to myself as well.
Please tell us about your work.
I am a professional dancer/choreographer/master teacher. I specialize in sharing my heart and art with the world through dance, music and theatre. I’m known for being a man of many talents, I’m not particularly a shy individual but I don’t consider myself a man of many words so I use my gifts and Many art forms to express myself. The thing that makes me most proudest to see the faces of the people in the audience when I perform, To see the progress and success of my students when they achieve goals they have set for themselves, whether I was able to add them greatly or minimally just another day have a confidant and mentor within me that I can provide makes it all worthwhile.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood would be my first performance at Jones Hall. I remember being so nervous that I had to use the bathroom several times LOL. My mom and dad are both there and so is my grandpa and my sister. It was in the velveteen rabbit and I was a small children’s role I felt like a superstar. I’ll never forget that moment of stepping on to the stage and feeling like I was in a new world.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8325170377
- Email: dezjr84@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_mrartistik
- Facebook: Dwayne Cook
Image Credit:
D.Cook
Envyphotos.inc
Ben Doyle
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