Making History Today: Brown Ballerina Ambassador Daneya Celestin
Daneya Celestin is a Brown Ballerina Ambassador who is making history today. The 14-year-old ballerina from Upper Marlboro, MD was recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated as one of their featured “Next Black Female Athletes on the Move.” In her interview below, Daneya shares her perspective on the value of making history, leaving a legacy, and representation for dancers of color.
Related: Making History Today: Brown Ballerina Ambassador DianaStarr Robinson
Photo: Daneya Celestin; shot by Allison Meyer
What does it mean to you to “make history”?
To make history to me means to make an impact in the lives of those who come behind me; doing something extraordinary while implementing change; changing the lives of those in my community with my contributions; giving back.
What history do you hope to make, or have you already made, as a dancer?
In September 2021, I was featured in Sport Illustrated as an emerging African-American Leader in Sport – Dance. It was amazing because some do not consider dance a sport and it is very much a sport. To be featured on such a huge platform was amazing for me because it made me feel powerful. I got to leave a message for others and help them get to know more about myself, my journey, and my goals.
Why is it important for you to leave a legacy behind?
It is important for me to leave a legacy behind because while we have come a long way as black women and girls in dance, we still have a long way to go. Leaving a legacy means that I have made an impact. It means that the generations behind me can feel uplifted knowing that someone has already left a platform for them to build upon, with a goal of making a greater impact for the next generation behind them.
What other changes do you hope to see in the dance world in the future?
I hope to see a change in stereotypes in the dance world. While there shouldn’t be any, I hope that the change in stereotypes allows Black ballerinas to feel and be more confident within themselves.
Who is a Black ballerina in history who inspires you and why?
A black ballerina in history who inspires me is Michaela DePrince. Her background inspires me and lets me know that anyone can do anything as long as they are determined. To know that she started from having very little, was adopted, etc., shows me she is strong and courageous - which is also inspiring.
Do you have anything else you’d like to share with dancers reading this article?
Never be afraid of criticism. Criticism is what helps you grow. Always allow yourself to learn. No matter what level or class you are placed in, there is always something in the class that you can learn from. Lastly, be yourself! Don’t be afraid to be authentic, especially through your movement. Dance is your story!
Photo: Daneya Celestin; shot by Allison Meyer
Daneya started dancing when she was 2, transitioning to competitive dance at the age of 4. For the 2021-2022 season, she was granted the opportunity to tour with Artists Simply Human and REVEL Dance Convention. She also attended the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensives in 2021. Daneya currently trains at the Studio Bleu Dance Center and The Trybe Dance Collective.
Follow Daneya’s dance journey on my Instagram!
Our Brown Ballerina Ambassador program is designed to create opportunities for young dancers in training to be seen as leaders and to eventually become mentors to other Brown Ballerinas in training. To find out more about our ambassador program and how you can support it, visit our Ambassador/Mentorship Program page.
Be sure to check out our Brown Ballerina Blog, where we feature spotlights on our Brown Ballerina Ambassadors, updates from our organization, useful tips for ballerinas, interviews with dance professionals, and more!
Note: This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.