CHICAGO’s MADD RHYTHMS, STAR DIXON, INSTRUCTS at MSA

Every summer, Metropolitan School of the Arts unites an elite team of international dance instructors to teach summer workshops in hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and tap dance. This year, Star Dixon of the world-renowned tap company MADD Rhythms of Chicago, joins the summer faculty. Summer FLY Dance Intensives are for children 9 to 18 years old. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org or call 703.339.0444 for more information.

Star Dixon is an original principal dancer of world renowned tap company MADD Rhythms.

She has taught and performed at such festivals as The Los Angeles Tap Festival, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Detroit Motor City Tap Festival and MADD Rhythms' Chicago Tap Fest. She made her debut teaching and performing overseas in Brazil at Floripa Tap 2014. She's been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine twice (Artist on the Rise & Speed Demon) and The Chicago Reader, as well as the Independent Film "The Rise & Fall of Miss Thang." She's been a guest artist with Jason Samuels Smith's company ACGI performing at the COCA St Louis Festival and in a 1920s-themed variety show directed by performer, R. Kelly. For more information, go to www.maddrhythms.com.

“Star is a truly remarkable example for our students; her professional dance journey is born from skill, dedication, passion and hard work,” said Melissa Dobbs, executive director and founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va. “Star is one of the most up and coming tap artists in the United States, and we’re honored to have her in the DC area to share her talent with our students,” said Dobbs.

The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts is a college preparatory performing arts program for emerging young artists, grades 7-12, who are dedicated to high-caliber academics and pre-professional performing arts education. Their cross-curricular approach to arts training fills each young artist’s toolbox with the dance, music and acting skills necessary to be a triple threat in the arts world. MSA’s approach to education is designed to develop independent, self-motivated, and skilled learners.

Founder and executive director, Melissa Dobbs, was classically trained at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, George Mason University and the Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she became a registered teacher. Noted for its world-class instructors, MSA offers high quality performing arts training in a ground breaking, holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, builds community and empowers students.