Franklin, born and bred in live jazz music and jazz dance, is a New York-based professional dancer, choreographer, and producer, as well as artistic director for the live urban jazz music and dance production, JAZZ AIN’T DEAD®, and also for Cumbe RISE, an open community dance company and performance workshop series produced by Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance. Franklin received her conservatory training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and has continued her studies with the Ballroom Dance Teachers College of New Mexico. She is currently an IDTC certification candidate in Katherine Dunham technique. A 2024 NYSCA grant winner, Franklin’s choreography has been presented by Jazzmobile, Lincoln Center “Summer in the City,” Yale University, Joyce SoHo, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Harlem Arts Festival, Harlem Summerstage, BAMcafé Live, New York City Department of Education DECC, Webster Hall, and MTV/Viacom, as well as at several casinos, including Turning Stone, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Borgata, and Caesar’s. She has also choreographed for Bollywood recording artist SHAKTI, singer Art Auré, and Grammy award-winning recording artist MACY GRAY. Currently, Miss Franklin is earning her MBA with a concentration in Music Business at Berklee College of Music/SNHU’s joint business program and is on the faculty and audition tour team of Joffrey Ballet School. She continues to teach throughout the US and abroad. SLC, 2024–
Undergraduate Courses 2024-2025
Dance
Exploration in American Jazz Dance
Component—Fall
Inspired by the work of Katherine Dunham, you will be invited to explore her movement vocabulary, often used in jazz dance, and then find the interconnections between Dunham’s contributions to film and concert stage with the current techniques used in commercial and concert dance, as well as learn vernacular Jazz movement. Open to all levels, this high-energy class inspires fun and freedom of expression through artistry, improvisation, and embellishment of choreography—regardless of skill and dance experience, yet challenging enough for more experienced dancers. For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given, followed by lively, Dunham-inspired jazz progressions and a combo. Join us for a transformative exploration of jazz dance, honoring tradition while embracing innovation!