This multi-talented and spirit-driven company and academy of dancers, has artistically, with skill, strength, elegance, and passion touched the hearts and souls of all generations.

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA), a 501© (3) non-profit corporation located in New Center, Detroit, celebrates our 39th season of providing multi-level training in excellence through dance for the Detroit-Windsor International community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Silvia Williams-Sims | President

  • Bruce Hunt | Executive Director

  • Michelle Hunt

  • Mable Jones

  • Shelly Norman-Hill

  • Margaret Bernstein

  • Atty. Roderick & Linda Gillum, PhD

  • Attorney Sylvia Elliott, Atty.​

  • Carolyn Grannum

  • Alescia Hollowell, PhD

  • Hon. Teola Hunter

  • C. Randolph Keller, Atty.

  • Ron & Lisolee Moten

  • William Sharp, MD

  • Judge Craig Strong

  • Linda Thompson, PhD

Debra White-Hunt

Co-founder & Artistic Director

Debra White-Hunt, BA, MEd (and diploma in Christian Ed.) is the co-founder and artistic director of Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. She is a Kresge Artist Fellow, a Milken National Educator, a Michiganian of the year and was recently inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She has been teaching dance for 60+ years and has danced on 5 continents.

Dance Instructors

Over 10+ Years of Experience

Deyanna A.

Demetrius S.

Alescia F.

Marqeisha W.

Michael M.

Jessica R.

Micah D.

Professional Experiences

Learn more about our team.

  • Debra White-Hunt is the co-founder and artistic director of Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. She was a Kresge Artist Fellow and was recently inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She has been teaching dance for 60+ years and has danced on 5 continents.

  • Micah Davis was trained in multiple forms of dance for 10 years at DWDA and 4 years at Michigan State University where she received a BA in Hospitality Management. She has been a Detroit Lions cheerleader for 5 years and is a captain.

  • Jessica Robinson, a therapist/dance teacher, has trained in multiple forms of dance from a young age, including DWDA and Renaissance High School. Jessica has a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Moody Theological Seminary.

  • Deyanna Adams was a teen mentor at DWDA for 5 years and is now an instructor. She is also a former Student of the Year and a Cum Laude graduate of Cass Technical High School. Deyanna is currently working toward her BS in Integrative Studies at Oakland University and is the Vice President of Intrigue Hip Hop Dance.

  • A graduate of Cass Technical High School, Demetrius Shields holds a BFA in Dance Education from the University of Arts and a MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University. He has worked with the Radio City Rokettes, on TV & film and has taught at various dance studios in the New York tri-state area. Currently he serves at Detroit School of Arts (DSA).

  • Michael is from Inkster, MI and was a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow. He was featured on SYTYCD, is a member of House of Jit, taught Detroit Jit in Paris & Bolivia, won World of Dance Michigan and toured with Rennie Harris Dance Company and Terrance Blanchard.

  • Alescia was a member of Cass Technical High School's workshop and minored in dance at Michigan State University. She has taught dance for 12+ years in the Midwest, holds the title of Miss Black Michigan, is a certified yoga instructor and has a BA from MSU, MA from University of Michigan and PhD from DePaul University.

  • Marqeisha is a modern/liturgical dance teacher. She holds a BFA at Marygrove College, is a part of the National Dance Liturgical Network, GIFTED1 (Guided Individuals Further Through Education (in) Dance (1st); and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She loves to empower the youth for tomorrow.

Faculty Profile

Recognized by the City of Detroit

Debra White-Hunt, co-founder, Artistic Director recently inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, is a Kresge Arts Fellow, (KAID), a Michiganian of the Year, a recipient of The Inaugural Ace Awards, selected by the Arts and Cultural Center of Detroit, and tells the DWDA story in Detroit In Business.