Contemporary dancer Candace Vann on growth, community and creativity at UNCSA

For UNCSA School of Dance graduate Candace Vann, dance has always been part of her identity. From watching her mother teach classes as a toddler to developing her artistic voice as a contemporary dancer, creativity has shaped nearly every part of her life.

As she approaches graduation, Vann reflects on the mentors, performances and community that shaped her during her time at UNCSA, and the ways those experiences prepared her for what comes next.

Tell me about your artistic background and how you developed a love of contemporary dance:

My mother will always tell the story of how I started dancing at the age of one. I would watch her teach her students how to dance, and somehow this little one-year-old could copy them and try her best. Surprisingly, contemporary and modern weren’t the first styles I was exposed to, but they eventually became the styles I truly fell in love with. I started out training in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and martial arts, all of which helped shape my discipline and artistry at a young age.

Once I started dancing competitively, that’s when I really began to grow as a dancer and fall in love with the contemporary category. I was drawn tovthe emotional expression, storytelling and freedom within the movement. From there, I attended Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, where I met Amelia Byrd and started learning more about modern dance.

My love for contemporary and modern dance truly blossomed during my first year of college while taking Cunningham with Brenda Daniels. Through that experience, I developed a deeper appreciation for the artistry, discipline and versatility that contemporary dance holds, and it continues to shape me both as an artist and as a person.

Looking back, what was the moment you knew dance was going to be more than an activity for you; that it was something you wanted to build your life around?

If I’m going to be honest, there was never a specific moment when I suddenly knew. It truly felt like a God-given calling on my life. Creating always came naturally to me, from dancing, to singing, to acting and to creating visual art. The arts were never simply something I wanted to build my life around; they became the foundation on which I built my life.

It’s a gift that I’m deeply grateful for and privileged to have. Over time, I’ve come to understand that artistry is not just something I do, but a part of who I am and how I connect with the world around me.

What made UNCSA stand out when you were considering colleges? 

I actually didn’t explore other options. UNCSA was my only one. Growing up, my mother used to take me to see Emerging Choreographers for many years, so I was already familiar with the school. I also got the chance to watch Winter Dance at the Stevens Center, which was a surreal moment. 

In the summer of 2018 or 2019, I attended the UNCSA Contemporary Summer Intensive, where I met Juel D. Lane and Ashley Lindsey. Meeting them truly inspired me and helped me feel seen as a dancer. Finding out that Endalyn Taylor would be my dean was honestly the icing on the cake. There were many people I could look up to and be inspired by during my time cultivating my artistry. 

Once you arrived at UNCSA, how did the training challenge or transform you? 

The curriculum, to me, demanded excellence, which I truly appreciated. I felt challenged and pushed to be better than I was the day before. As I progressed through the years, I was asked to create different works and dive into my own artistic freedom while learning my likes and dislikes.

UNCSA truly allowed a place for me to play with integrity and vigor. I learned to appreciate peer review while also being completely satisfied with my own choices. 

Were there faculty members or guest artists who had a particularly meaningful impact on you? 

Over my time at UNCSA, I’ve been fortunate to be inspired by more than just a few people. 

My very first year, the people who inspired me most were Darrell Grand Moultrie and Ashley Lindsey. Darrell pulled something out of me I didn’t know I had. He worked with me and pushed me to dance bigger than myself, with a depth of feeling and texture I had yet to understand. Ashley has shaped me in so many ways as a technician and teacher, always pushing me to do better, dance bigger and move with efficiency and clarity. 

In my second year, working with Juel D. Lane during the creation of his work “The Final Button” showed me how to dream big. Watching him create and workshop until he was fully satisfied with his work was truly beautiful and taught me patience in the creative process. Gaspard Louis helped me feel seen as both a dancer and a performer, which gave me confidence in my presence onstage. 

Abigail Yager supported me during my third- and fourth-year choreographic works, helping me dig deeper than the surface and ask the right questions. During the summer, I met Chalvar Monteiro, Kayla Farrish and Tamisha Guy, all artists who continue to inspire me daily. 

A big shoutout as well to Gavin and Vanessa Stewart, who were incredible encouragers through their process of “The Front.” And lastly, meeting Kevin Tate was the icing on everything. He showed me that people truly care, want the best for you and will actively help you achieve your dreams. He has genuinely been one of the biggest and best gifts this school could have given me, and my senior year would not have been the same without him. 

Can you talk about a rehearsal or performance from that experience that solidified what your UNCSA training is preparing you to do in the world? 

Honestly, dancing alongside Endalyn Taylor and Kevin Tate at the Black Sacred Music Symposium, hosted by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, was the experience that truly solidified my training at UNCSA. Having them come into my rehearsal for “Anthem of Praise” and work alongside me to clean the piece, while also trusting my creative eye and vision, meant so much to me as an emerging artist. In that moment, I felt genuinely supported, encouraged and believed in, which made the experience even more impactful. 

Moreover, we were able to celebrate Richard Smallwood, someone whose music deeply impacted my upbringing. The shared experience and collective understanding of the importance of Black Sacred Music created a powerful sense of connection and community. It became not only an artistic experience, but also a deeply affirming and bonding moment that further solidified my growth as both an artist and individual. 

Beyond the studio, how has the UNCSA community given you a sense of belonging and a place to celebrate all of who you are as an artist and person? 

When I first arrived at UNCSA, I wondered whether there were any communities that could foster a true sense of belonging for me. My first Artists of Color bonfire was truly one for the books. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was also the moment I began to see what genuine community could look like here. That night, I met so many people who would eventually become my family throughout my four years at UNCSA. 

I was also blessed with the opportunity to continue serving AOC as co-president during my final year alongside my classmate and friend, Marius Diaz, who became like a brother to me and someone I could always lean on. Through those experiences, I found not only community and leadership, but also lifelong relationships that deeply shaped my time at UNCSA. Being a student leader had its challenges, but I appreciate the experience and what it taught me about leadership, communication, management and delegation.

As you prepare to graduate, what excites you most about the next chapter?

I’m excited to work on the networking web, to be honest. I love talking to people, collaborating and creating innovative works. I’m also excited about continuing to build on all of my transferable skills.

What’s next for you after UNCSA, and how do you hope to carry what you’ve found here into the future?

I’m grateful and blessed to say that I have a few options for what’s next after UNCSA. In 2026, the job market is challenging, but I truly believe things are still possible and that the right opportunities will unfold in time. I’m both excited and nervous about what’s to come, holding both feelings honestly as I step into this next season. 

What I’ve learned at UNCSA will stay with me, not just in technique and artistry, but also in how I show up for others and how I allow others to show up for me.

Candace Vann

I’ve learned to let God be my comfort in all of my seasons of discomfort. I also understand that if I stay in what is comfortable, I’ll never grow. It’s important for me to continue being shaped and challenged so I can evolve both as an artist and as a person.

Moving forward, I plan to continue forging connections with others and never neglect the fact that I am part of a community that supports me here. I’ll continue to train, stay grounded in my practice and lean on my community the best I can. What I’ve learned at UNCSA will stay with me, not just in technique and artistry, but also in how I show up for others and how I allow others to show up for me.

What will you miss most about your UNCSA experience?

I think I’m going to miss the community that was created here the most. Change is hard, but it’s also important for growth. I’m going to miss game nights at my best friend Madison’s apartment, crocheting hats for people and making my grandma’s homemade biscuits to share with friends. I’ll miss all of the AOC events and the faculty who impacted me most during my time here. ’ll also miss improvising in the studios late at night with friends, creating memories through movement and conversation.

Most importantly, I’ll miss people like Kyah Vaughs, Cameron Caldwell, Javier Marrero, Camryn Whyte, Amari Belo, Jada Harvey and Mya Johnson. These are people who worked alongside me throughout my creative processes and witnessed me grow into my own artistic voice. Because of their patience, trust and willingness to go above and beyond while diving deeply into every task I gave them, they made each creative process meaningful and worthwhile.

Although it’s hard to say goodbye, I truly don’t see this as a final goodbye, but more of a “see you later.” I genuinely believe our paths will cross again someday, whether through dance, creative projects or simply life bringing us back together. The community and relationships built here are too meaningful not to carry with us into the next chapter.

By Natalie Shrader

Get the best news, performance and alumni stories from UNCSA.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)