Meet Donna Vaughn: A 2021 Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant Winner
The Brown Girls Do Ballet® Micro Grant Program is designed to increase access to and opportunity for education, travel, and professional tools for small dance programs and dancers year-round.
Donna Michelle Vaughn, a 37-year-old professional ballerina, was one of this year’s Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant winners. Donna started dancing at 3 and has been dancing ever since. After studying dance in college and touring the world, Donna moved to New York City, where she currently lives, to dance for The Lion King on Broadway.
Related: Apply for a Brown Girls Do Ballet Scholarship Today!
Photo: Mati Ficara Photo
Donna is also the founder and CEO of Dynamix Works, a dance company that hosts workshops for dancers ranging from about 9-years-old to professional level. “I just wanted all ages to experience top-notch training,” she said in her interview with us last week. “The little ones also need to start experiencing what it means to be a professional or just to be in that kind of environment.”
Related: Contest Winners Share their Experience from the Winter Master Class Series with Dynamix Works
This August, Dynamix Works will host a 2-day pop-up workshop for dancers to join in person. “Little fun fact, my first one was actually supposed to be in person last year at the same time, the first weekend in August, but COVID happened,” Donna said. This summer’s workshop will be held in a studio on Broadway in New York. “Zoom is great. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to do this and keep everybody moving and shaking and learning, but to be in person and experience something on Broadway with Broadway professionals, I think is going to be super dope.”
Donna said the Brown Girls Do Ballet® Micro Grant provided a means to help her small business’ goals come to fruition. “It’s going to allow me to pay for studio spacing and also to help pay my teachers,” she said. With the earnings, Donna also plans to invest in marketing materials and create a line of merchandise for Dynamix Works students.
As a dancer, Donna has always been inspired by inspirational reading and journaling. “I love inspirational quotes,” she said. “If my day starts to go left, or if I need to center myself, I’ll go to a quote.”
Related: Meet Jayde Hosley: Winner of the Kennedy George and Ava Holloway Dance for Change Scholarship
“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own business,” she said. “Honestly, I know COVID was horrible. It’s still horrible because we’re not done yet, but had I not had this time, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you.” She explained her typical schedule when Broadway was open, which consisted of eight shows a week, only one day off, and little time for a social life. “This time has been a blessing because it’s not only allowed me to make all these connections but it’s also allowed me to create the foundation of my business, which is really the most important part. So, I’m in the midst of a dream currently. I’m just going to try to keep building my business.”
Donna hopes dancers reading this article will remain positive and perseverant through the tough times they may face. “There will be a lot of no’s. I’ve experienced it, “she said. “But, don’t stop. Keep going. As long as you’re constantly putting in the work, and learning, and researching, it’s going to happen. Don’t get discouraged. It’s okay to be sad, but don’t stay down there for too long. Feel what you need to feel. Journal. Pray. Dance it out. Do whatever. Then get back up and get moving.”
Other than focusing on Dynamix Works’ upcoming events, Donna spends her time training for Broadway’s reopening in September 2021. Follow Donna’s dance journey on Instagram!
Applications for the Brown Girls Do Ballet® Micro Grant Program are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly by a panel of jurors. Dancers may apply at any time throughout the year. Visit our scholarships page to learn about all of our scholarships and grants today!
Sending a special thank you to our incredible donors who make the work we do possible!