Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Stewart.
Hi Angel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for dance began at just 5 years old. My parents encouraged me to explore a variety of sports, visual arts, performing arts and other activities. Once I stepped into my first dance class, I knew I had found my passion. Since then, dance, art and cheerleading have been a constant part of my life. Shaping not only who I am as a performer but also as an instructor and mentor.
Over the years, I’ve trained in a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, tap, African, street jazz, and HBCU line dance. My journey has allowed me to study under incredible mentors, including former Alvin Ailey dancer Jackie Claxton, as well as instructors at Studio A in Randallstown, MD, Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Anne ArundelCommunity College (AACC), Old Dominion University (ODU), Chris Michaels, and So You Think You Can Dance Season 1 finalist Jamile McGee. I also had the privilege of choreographing alongside Todd Sams, whose impressive credits include Michael Jackson, Usher, and many other renowned artists.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to perform on platforms including YouTube, MTV, and BET while collaborating with both local and international artists. Some of my favorite experiences include opening for K. Michelle in 2023 while dancing for local artist Marxus Taylor at Baltimore’s annual Pride Festival. Serving as Captain of the Baltimore Hawks and Sizzle Dance Team for the 2024 Baltimore Mayor’s Christmas Parade. As well as appearing as a featured dancer in GoldLink’s “METATRON” music video released in 2025.
Today I’m proud to serve as the Hip Hop instructor at Chesapeake Arts Center, Assistant Cheer Coach with CheerUp LLC, and a professional dancer and entertainer. I currently teach hip hop, street jazz, modern, and HBCU line dance. Nothing brings me more joy than helping students discover their confidence, creativity, and love for movement.
For me, dance is about so much more than learning choreography—it’s about building confidence, resilience, expressing yourself, creating meaningful connections, and celebrating every step of the journey. Whether I’m performing onstage or teaching in the studio, my goal is to inspire others to embrace their individuality, grow through movement, and have fun along the way. I’m excited to continue sharing my passion with my community and beyond, and I can’t wait to see where this incredible journey takes me next.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I faced as a dancer was learning to understand and accept my long limbs. I was often the tallest dancer in my classes, and I would sometimes make my movements smaller or cut them short because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough time to stay on the same count as the other dancers. Over time, I learned to stop seeing my body as something I needed to work around and instead recognize it as one of my strengths.
I was also very shy growing up, except when I was performing. Because of that, I often hesitated to ask for additional help or clarification. Instead, I would wait for corrections and focus on applying them. Learning to speak up, advocate for myself and others, and take an active role in my own development became an important part of my growth.
Another challenge was realizing how important strong ballet technique was to my overall dance training. From ages 8 to 16, I focused primarily on hip-hop, modern, and cheer, so by high school I realized that I was behind many dancers my age in ballet technique. Rather than allowing that to discourage me, I used it as motivation. I began working and training harder wherever and whenever I could.
These experiences taught me much more than dance technique. They taught me to advocate for myself, lead, support others, take accountability for my growth, and, most importantly, love and accept myself for exactly who I am.
By the time I entered college, I had developed much more confidence in my talents and abilities. That confidence gave me the courage to audition for both the CCBC and AACC dance companies. I was fortunate to eventually become a company member of both simultaneously. Through those experiences, I had the opportunity to be selected to perform in the gala at the American College Dance Association Festival at the University of Maryland, College Park, which was a major milestone for me.
Looking back, the challenges that once made me feel different ultimately became the experiences that pushed me to grow, work harder, and become a more confident dancer and person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am the Hip Hop teacher at Chesapeake Arts Center, where I also teach contemporary, jazz, heels, majorette, and ballet. Although Hip Hop is my favorite style to teach, I continue to perform professionally as a commercial dancer. Not to mention party starter at live events, principle dancer/choreographer in videos, concerts and variety shows. Because commercial dance requires versatility, I make it a priority to stay prepared to perform a variety of styles depending on what each booking requires.
I am also an assistant coach for Cheer UP LLC and currently working toward becoming a nail technician. I would describe myself as creative, artistic, passionate about refinement, positive, and someone who brings strong stage presence and leadership to everything I do.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is becoming a teacher. There was a time when I never imagined myself as someone qualified to teach, even with my professional experience and degree in dance. I always felt there was more for me to learn and more room for me to grow. I eventually realized that teaching does not mean you have reached the end of your own growth—it gives you the opportunity to lead while continuing to learn alongside your students.
I started my teaching career with just two children’s classes, and I now teach five classes, including adult classes. It is still humbling to realize that people look to me for guidance and wisdom when it comes to dance. Teaching has become an ongoing cycle of learning, leading, and giving back, and I am honored to be a part of it.
I also believe my faith is one of the things that sets me apart. It keeps me grounded, gives me a joy that cannot be taken away, and helps me find purpose in everything I do—not just dance. I am grateful that I can share my faith through my dance, my actions, and the way I carry myself. I believe that when you have purpose behind your passion, it gives what you do a deeper meaning—not only for you, but also for the people who have the opportunity to witness it.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very shy and timid. Interestingly, performing was one of the few places where I felt completely comfortable being extroverted. I always felt that there was a time and place to “put on a show,” and performing gave me the freedom to express a side of myself that I didn’t always show in everyday life.
As I got older, I began to realize that my creativity and talents didn’t have to be limited to the performance arts. I attended Sudbrook Magnet Middle School and later Carver Center for Arts & Technology, where I majored in visual arts. There I was able to study both art forms at the same time. Although I loved singing and acting, visual art gave me a different kind of freedom. I could create absolutely anything I imagined without having to use my body as the instrument.
My visual arts studies played a major role in developing my attention to detail. They taught me to observe things differently, to be intentional with my choices, and to appreciate the small elements that can completely transform a finished piece.
My faith was also an important part of my upbringing. I attended church every Sunday until I became an adult. It was another environment where I was able to share and develop my talents. Those experiences gave me an early understanding of how powerful creativity can be when it is used to connect with and inspire others.
Outside of the arts, I developed my resilience through my involvement in sports and other activities, including karate, swimming, and cheerleading. Those experiences gave me the “thick skin” I would eventually need to navigate the industry. They taught me structure, discipline, self-advocacy, and, perhaps most importantly, the value of consistency.
Looking back, each of these experiences played a role in shaping the artist I am today. From performing to visual arts, from the church to athletics, I learned that creativity is only part of becoming an artist. Discipline, confidence, attention to detail, resilience, and consistency are what allow that creativity to truly grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://canvas.chesapeakearts.org/instructors/2274
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oreocakesterr?igsh=N2VnbmQ5cWpmaWN1&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@CheerUPCheerCompany?ra=m
- Other: https://canvas.chesapeakearts.org/classes?instructor=Angel+Stewart
