Peace, Love, & Abundance Family
My name is Terri, Terri Berri if you like.
I'm a Southside Chicago native, purposeful multifaceted artist and Dancerpreneur who has been training in dance since the young age of 4. My technical dance training ranges from Ballet/Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Musical Theater.
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As a budding professional dancer in high school I toured the Chicagoland area during the summers of 2010 & 2011 with After School Matters, performed for prestige personnel like Jesse White Secretary of State, and Dorothy Brown Clerk of Cook County Circuit Court, and began leading dance classes by the age of 14 years at Chicago's own Studio One Dance Theater (SODT).
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After graduating high school I trained in New York and Los Angeles at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), where I earned my BFA in Dance Theater. Post graduation in California I felt a calling to deepen my relationship with dance by diving into music creation. I embarked on the journey of recording music December 2015, and currently have songs available on all music platforms.
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Post college graduation my work in my field of study has encompassed performing in numerous regional theater shows in Thousand Oaks, CA, along with numerous award winning productions in Chicago. I've worked in Arts administration, and currently teach dance all over the Chicagoland area, and nation-wide.
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As a Teaching Artist and Dance Educator I'm a faculty member at The Chicago Multicultural Dance Center (CMDC)-Company Manager for Hiplet NEXT , The Chicago High School for The Arts (ChiArts), Praize Productions Inc. (PPI), Activate Your Artistry (AYA) dance convention, Chicago Tap All Stars (CTA), Paramount School of the Arts (PSA), and Francis W Parker.
In 2019 I had the honor of pioneering ChiArts' very first Tap program, and since then have introduced, new courses like Wellness for Dancers, and Contemporary Modern for the Dance Department, and served as Theatre Department Assistant for a year.
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As a performing artist I am a company member of Rize Pro-Elite (PPI), Hiplet Ballerinas (Rehearsal Director), and a guest artist for Joel Hall Dancers.
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My debut as a Choreographer in regional Theater was in the Spring of 2022.​
Courtesy of Praize Productions Inc. and The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project
Backstage at the Ruth Page Center of the Arts during Porchlight Music Theater's run of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies.
Snapshot from Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, presented by Porchlight Music Theater in Chicago, IL.
Courtesy of Praize Productions Inc. and The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project
My Story
My roots stem from Chicago’s own Studio One Dance Theater where I learned the foundations of storytelling through movement. I began training at age 4, however it wasn't until 8 years of age that a decision in my spirit was made... I wanted to be a Professional Dancer. After experiencing the magic of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater perform Kevin Iega Jeff's work, Church of Nations, I knew I wanted to make people feel like I felt when saw those dynamic Dancers move. Living in Chicago, followed by living in New York, and Los Angeles to attain my BFA in Dance Theater from AMDA, gave me the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally acclaimed Dance Educators and Choreographers. Throughout my career I've had the honor and privilege to train and work with Dr. Elena D Anderson, Nicole Clarke-Springer, Dave Scott, Florence Walker-Harris, Jon Engstrom, Michelle Elkin, Lee Howard, Donyelle Denise Jones, and Homer Hans-Bryant, just to name a few.
Over the years the practice of dance has sustained me physically, and equipped me with the mental fortitude along with the spiritual posture to walk the path of being a vessel that curates spaces for authentic transformation. My journey through movement has gifted me the opportunity to empower women and men, young and old, to strengthen their relationship with self wholistically through dance and intentional conversation. I empathize with the sentiments of feeling like “you’re not enough”, as I've worked through the comparison trap, and “negative self talk”. It was/is through connecting with my body with a mindful approach that I am actively healing myself, and assisting others one day, class, performance, and workshop at a time. Life is an ongoing journey that is unique to the individual. We do ourselves a huge disservice by looking at someone else and comparing where they are to where we are. There is a divine reason why YOU were placed on this earth. Every single human being has a story to tell, and deserves to feel what they need to feel in order to heal. It is through the spirit of the R.E.A.L (Respect, Encouragement, Abundance, and Love) that Terri Berri K curates experiences for authentic personal development of the mind, body, and soul.
Contact
I'm always open to collaborate on aligned opportunities. Let's connect.