Center for Creative Arts student LaJeromeny Brown is headed to study in New York City at the School of American Ballet
Center for Creative Arts student LaJeromeny Brown is headed to study in New York City. An 11th grade CCA dance major, he spent five weeks this past summer at the prestigious summer dance intensive at the School of American Ballet (the affiliate school of the acclaimed New York City Ballet).
When he auditioned in Atlanta last February for the summer program, he was one of only a few students offered a full merit scholarship to the summer program on the spot. During his time in the summer program, LaJeromeny was offered a place in the year round training program of the ballet school, again at full scholarship.
He will complete his junior and senior year of high school training at the School of American Ballet to become a professional dancer, while attending the Professional Children’s School (on full scholarship) in order to earn his high school diploma.
Alumni of Professional Children’s School include such luminaries of dance, music, and theater as Savion Glover, Gelsey Kirkland, Marvin Hamlisch, Yo-Yo Ma, Sandra Dee, Carrie Fisher and Malcolm Jamal-Warner, to name a few.
To young LaJeromeny, dance has been a focus of his life since elementary school. He knew that it was time to take that passion seriously when he began thinking of middle school.
“I had a hard time with name calling, causing me to remind myself that I was not a normal kid,” says LaJeromeny. “Constantly, I was thinking that I couldn't be myself at any other school, because I wasn't into sports. Center for Creative Arts opened me up to a whole new world and set of experiences. I was exposed to so much more than what I already knew. I was challenged artistically, but also academically. It is amazing how much I've grown since the 6th grade. I became more mature because of the discipline that ballet requires. I've gotten mentally and physically stronger. I have learned responsibility and so much more."
CCA also introduced him to one of the school’s community cultural partners, Ballet Tennessee. Throughout his time at CCA, he has spent his days focusing on dance technique along with academic work, then adding evening and weekend classes at Ballet Tennessee.
As Artistic Director, Anna Van Cura says of him, “LaJeromeny Brown’s gifts are many; talent in the truest sense, facility for classical ballet, motivation and a most generous spirit. The opportunity to continue his study of dance at School of American Ballet, a world-class organization, is a gift that he accepts with humility and commitment. I am convinced that he is following ‘his’ dream. We will miss him bringing sensitive performances to Chattanooga audiences. He knows he is well loved and supported by the whole dance community from Chattanooga. “
Both the CCA community and the local dance community look forward to hearing of this young man’s future accomplishments, and one day seeing him on New York stages.