Quentin William Sledge is a 22 year old professional dancer from the rough streets of Chicago’s south side. He is the only child of Earnestine Sledge, a strong and resilient woman who made it her mission to educate and and instill within her son the values of life and success. Armed with a thirst for knowledge and unbounded creativity, Quentin began his journey of dance in the fall of 2009 under the watchful eye of Mr. Homer Hans Bryant, a former member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga from 2010-2014 during which time he earned a degree in Business Administration with a Management concentration all the while receiving superb training from a number of mentors in the city. During his senior year at Morehouse Quentin was offered entrance into a training program at Gotta Dance Atlanta under the direction of Daryl Foster and his LIFT company. It was ultimately the culmination of a years worth of intense training at GDA, hard work in Spelman’s dance department, and a stellar foundation laid by Homer Bryant that ultimately landed Quentin a place in the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Quentin is a scholar, an artist, and spiritualist on a journey towards greatness, it is his passion and humility however that seem to be his shinning qualities, he is truly one to watch.
I first met Quentin at Gotta Dance Atlanta in Daryl Foster's class and immediately knew my young Morehouse brother was a force to be reckoned with. His passion for dance bleeds through his movement. It was always evident that he had much to offer to the world in the area of dance and it has been a joy to watch him perfect his craft. Wishing him much luck and success as one of the newest members of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company!!!
FULL NAME
Quentin William Sledge
HOMETOWN
Chicago, IL
AGE
22
WHEN DID YOU START DANCING?
I had my first performance on October 31, 2009. I started dancing only a few month before that.
WHAT/WHO MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL DANCER?
I started dancing under Homer Hans Bryant at the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center. It was the joy I experienced every time I took a class or started seeing results that made me fall in love with dance. I had a hard time socially in middle school which made me introverted, but I noticed when I danced I couldn't stop smiling. I would get uncontrollably happy and giddy and I realized dance was the only thing in my life, at the time, that made me feel so strongly. I knew that I wanted to follow my passions in life, but was not completely sure what those passions were until it finally clicked.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
My dream job would be to dance for Alonzo King's Lines. I love their movement quality and rep. I'd also really like to be a part of an emerging company with young dancers/choreographers that I admire and watch as that company grows both in size and notoriety.
My dream job would be to dance for Alonzo King's Lines. I love their movement quality and rep. I'd also really like to be a part of an emerging company with young dancers/choreographers that I admire and watch as that company grows both in size and notoriety.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST DANCE MEMORY?
I think one of my fondest dance memories is when I first came to Gotta Dance Atlanta and sat in on a rehearsal of "The Naked Truth" choreographed by Stephan Reynolds. I was completely in awe of dancers like Jasmine Harper, AJ Pang, Jessica Oglesby, Kara Methaven, Brittany, Jessica Guda, Rachel Truitt, and Stephan as they DANCED. And I mean they danced like I had never seen; I fell in love and knew that if this was the quality of dancers that came to this studio I needed to stay and learn as much as I could.
I think one of my fondest dance memories is when I first came to Gotta Dance Atlanta and sat in on a rehearsal of "The Naked Truth" choreographed by Stephan Reynolds. I was completely in awe of dancers like Jasmine Harper, AJ Pang, Jessica Oglesby, Kara Methaven, Brittany, Jessica Guda, Rachel Truitt, and Stephan as they DANCED. And I mean they danced like I had never seen; I fell in love and knew that if this was the quality of dancers that came to this studio I needed to stay and learn as much as I could.
WHAT DOES DANCE AND CREATIVITY MEAN TO YOU?
Dance, and more importantly, creativity means everything to me as an artist. From the time I could crawl I've been exuding creativity from my pores. Everyone has always made note of my creativity between drawing and painting, to sculpting and music. I've been exposed to and dabbled in a number of art forms. Dance has been the most recent adventure in the exploration of my artistic abilities and the most challenging which is why I love it so much. Dance, for me, is expression. It's one of my greatest teachers, it's life, it's love, joy and pain.
Dance, and more importantly, creativity means everything to me as an artist. From the time I could crawl I've been exuding creativity from my pores. Everyone has always made note of my creativity between drawing and painting, to sculpting and music. I've been exposed to and dabbled in a number of art forms. Dance has been the most recent adventure in the exploration of my artistic abilities and the most challenging which is why I love it so much. Dance, for me, is expression. It's one of my greatest teachers, it's life, it's love, joy and pain.
WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT THE DANCE SCENE IN ATLANTA?
I appreciate the quality of dance in Atlanta. The quirkiness and clarity; everyone is SO full out. There's amazing talent and beautiful souls in the city. I love that people are able to shine for being themselves, I find that there is not a big push towards conformity.
I appreciate the quality of dance in Atlanta. The quirkiness and clarity; everyone is SO full out. There's amazing talent and beautiful souls in the city. I love that people are able to shine for being themselves, I find that there is not a big push towards conformity.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER YOUNG, HOPEFUL ARTISTS?
My advice to young dancers is to always be true to yourself. Take everything in stride, (everything from advice to corrections and critiques have a hint of personal bias) you've got to determine how much of what you're receiving is true and how much is simply opinion. Believe in your progress/future and always take responsibility for whatever occurs in your life...both the good and the not so good.
My advice to young dancers is to always be true to yourself. Take everything in stride, (everything from advice to corrections and critiques have a hint of personal bias) you've got to determine how much of what you're receiving is true and how much is simply opinion. Believe in your progress/future and always take responsibility for whatever occurs in your life...both the good and the not so good.
FUN FACTS!!!
FAVORITE CATCH PHRASE
Ayyyyeeeeee or GO OFF
Ayyyyeeeeee or GO OFF
FAVORITE FOOD
Indian food...curry or Chinese
Indian food...curry or Chinese
WHAT DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO WEAR WHEN DANCING?
I love bike-tards
I love bike-tards
WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Love
Love
WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
I'd either be Magneto or have Gene Grey's powers from X-men. They're two of my favorite characters and I love the versatility of their powers. I could fly, read minds, bend metal, etc...that sounds awesome!!!!
I'd either be Magneto or have Gene Grey's powers from X-men. They're two of my favorite characters and I love the versatility of their powers. I could fly, read minds, bend metal, etc...that sounds awesome!!!!
