Choreographer, dancer and Dance Canvas Executive Artistic Director Angela Harris’ 11 Good Things

In 2008, Angela Harris conceived and founded Dance Canvas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential opportunities to emerging choreographers in the Atlanta dance scene. Harris is the type of person who sees a problem and sets out to solve it, so, when she saw the lack of career development and youth dance programs in Atlanta, she made it her mission to be a part of the solution.

Her efforts have paid off tenfold as more than 800 young professionals have since found employment through the Dance Canvas Choreographer Career Development Initiative, and thousands of dance patrons have been introduced to new talent in Atlanta. As an award-winning leader, she has forged important partnerships with organizations such as the Atlanta Ballet, National Black Arts Festival, Kennesaw State University and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, just to name a few.

Here, in no particular order, are her 11 good things. 

1. My Dance Canvas staff: We are a small but mighty team! I couldn’t do the work I do without a stellar team of people who dream as big as I do.
2. Dance students from all over metro Atlanta: I teach all over . . . and seeing young artists grow in their creativity and technical skills makes me so proud. From Spelman, Emory, Terminus, Academy of Ballet, Brenau, DeKalb School of the Arts . . . my students keep me moving!
3. Fall colors: My absolute favorite time in Atlanta is when the leaves change colors, and it feels like I am driving through a painting.
4. Atlanta’s many art galleries and museums: When I get free time, I take myself on solo art trips to galleries and museums in Atlanta. There are so many to choose from, but my go-tos recently have been ZuCot Gallery, SCAD FASH and the High Museum of Art. Oooh . . . I can’t wait to see the new André Leon Talley exhibit at SCAD FASH!
5. Choreographing in the dance studio: There is nothing like creating art! The studio is my happy place. 
6. The Atlanta Falcons: My husband and I are season ticket holders, and fall is definitely for the FALCONS . . . RISE UP! There is nothing like the star-studded, concert-filled, high-energy football games at Mercedes Benz Stadium. You may just catch me on the jumbotron one of these days! 
7. Traveling with my husband: We both work non-stop, but we can work remotely, so we go to fun places to work and recharge at the same time. The past couple months have been especially incredible and culturally stimulating with two trips to Africa — Ghana and South Africa.
8. Rehearsing Nutcracker at the DeKalb School of the Arts: ’Tis the season, y’all! I start having visions of sugar plum fairies in August when we hold auditions, and fall is jam-packed with Nutcracker rehearsals, which are always rewarding.
9. The Midtown/Downtown Atlanta skyline at night: Driving into the city on I-85 at night is just gorgeous . . . the city looks like it is sparkling!
10. Aurora Theatre: This theater is my home away from home — not only because I had my first professional acting job there almost 20 years ago in their production of Chicago, but also because their shows are fantastic! 
11. Dance Canvas’ new motto, “Atlanta is a Dance City” — Because it is! Go, see and support Atlanta dance performances. There is so much great work happening here!