Adult Program Faculty, Faculty, Professional Training Division Faculty
Royce Zackery received a Master of Arts in Dance Education from N.Y.U. Steinhardt/American Ballet Theatre and is certified in the ABT National Teaching Curriculum with a concentrated degree in Ballet Pedagogy. He received a B.F.A from Southern Methodist University and is a proud member of ABT’s Project Plié.
Zackary has more than 20 years of experience as a professional dancer and teacher, having performed in Broadway shows including My One and Only, Oklahoma! and Anything Goes –along with classical ballet and contemporary companies including Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Rioult Dance, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Thomas/Ortiz Dance, and Ballethnic Dance Company.
Zackery’s choreography, teaching, coaching and directing experience crosses all levels of dance from beginner to professional. He has served as faculty for several professional/pre- professional training facilities and programs including Broadway Dance Center, Ailey Extension and The School at Steps. He has also taught dance at public schools, academies, universities, professional companies and at festivals across the U.S. and abroad. Teaching idioms include Classical/Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary Movement, Jazz, Tap and Partnering (Classical/ Contemporary). He is currently an Assistant Professor and Head Coordinator of Dance Arts for Howard University’s Department of Theatre Arts Program.
Zackery has received choreographic notoriety for works commissioned by Dixon Place, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Hofstra University, Irondale, Staten Island Ballet, Loteria Performing Arts and Nomad Contemporary Ballet. He has also created works for international festivals, galas and governmental functions.
Zackery is a strong believer and advocate for giving back to the community and youth of the world through teaching. He has traveled to Africa to work with MindLeaps and train native teaching artists of Kigali, Rwanda. While in Kigali, he also mentored orphans and homeless children to help them get into boarding schools, trade schools and IT programs. Zackery’s teaching philosophy is to enrich students’ cognitive development. He believes that unconditional caring, patience and mentorship of young people will ensure leaders of tomorrow.
Photo by XMB Photography.
