Mission & Vision
Negus Ballerina Project’s mission is to provide opportunity, education, training, and fellowship to Black and Brown Ballerinas as they continue their professional endeavors.
Our vision is to provide a place for black & brown ballerinas in the beginning to mid-point of their careers (21+) to gain support and find fellowship in a network of dancers past, present, and future, across the country and around the globe. Through opportunity and photography, NBP aims to inspire and build confidence while celebrating the black ballet body and sharing the physical manifestation of our narrative and hope.
B.E.S.T.
Bridge the gap between pre-professional and careers by providing access to classes/master classes, workshops, and coaching.
Expose and promote black ballerinas through means of networking, performance, and photography
Support the progress of black ballerinas by providing resources and direction
To create a safe space for all generations of black ballerinas to share experiences, affirm and uplift each other, and preserve our royalty.
Cortney Taylor Key
Founding Artistic Director & EXECUTIVE Director
Cortney Taylor Key began her ballet training at 15 years old. She trained at the Northwest School of the Arts, BB dance Productions, and North Carolina School of the Arts. She then moved to New York City and trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. After college, she also took the time to train privately with teachers Elena Kunikova, Willy Burmann, Stacey Calvert, and now Bethania Gomes, and Eva Draw to refine her technique and artistry.
As a professional, Cortney has worked with many companies and choreographers, including Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance company Apprenticeship 2013, The Francesca Harper Project Apprenticeship 2015, Dance Theatre of Harlem PTP, Brooklyn Ballet Apprenticeship 2016-2018, The Arthur Mitchell Project 2017, Columbia City Ballet 2017-2018, Gleichdances 2017-2019, and Konverjdans 2018- present. Her repertoire includes an array of works such as The Brooklyn Nutcracker Marzipan, guest artist at Friends University as Clara in The Nutcracker, Square Game and Beach Birds by Merce cunningham, “Rhythmetron” by Arthur Mitchell, “D’man in the water” by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and ‘Touch and Agree” by Juel D. Lane. She also guested with Collage Dance Collective for their production of Swan Lake.
“My story is not uncommon. The older I get the more I understand how common it is for a black dancer to begin seriously understanding the style of ballet. I started taking ballet class at 15 years old but it wasn’t until I was 19 and at school at North Carolina School of the Arts that I started to make a connection, and even later at 23 that I would wear pointe shoes. When I think about it today I recognize more that my contemporary training is merely an addition to my training and enhances my ballet technique. For years a connection was missing but at 30 years old I understand that I’m a better dancer because of my versatility, versus looking at it as ‘I don’t have enough ballet training in my life’.
The Vision Behind The Negus Ballerina Project
I envision a retreat, ideally set in a rural space like farmland, where dancers can gather once a year for quality training and fellowship at an accessible cost. This vision stems from my NYU thesis, which focused on providing dancers—especially adult dancers—with a toolbox of curriculum that allows them to choose the pathways best suited to their growth.
The seeds of the Negus Ballerina Project were planted long before it had a name. As a teenager, I vividly remember watching Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball in 2005. I thought to myself: How could I create something like this—something that honors and uplifts women? Nine years later, witnessing a Ballerina Brunch at Dance Theatre of Harlem confirmed that call. The Negus Ballerina Project is my answer to that call.
Creating a Safe, Affirming Space
The Full Range of Motion
The training itself would honor the lineage of our art: classical and neoclassical ballet, modern dance techniques, and rooted jazz vernacular that stretches into hip-hop. Strength and wellness modalities include: Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis, yoga, and Pilates. When dancers experience the full range of motion in their bodies, they unlock the full range of motion in their lives
Who We Are
At its heart, the Negus Ballerina Project is a safe, affirming space built on the vision of Black bodies, expanding outward to embrace all dancers of color. Anyone who chooses to study within this framework is welcome , including our non-binary and trans dancers.
