THE EDUCATOR

Passionate about educating youth, KHILA continues to help aspiring creatives foster their craft through thoughtful mentorship and personalized instruction.

KHILA has taught dance technique and theory at prominent institutions such as Syracuse University, UCLA, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and more.

Currently, she lectures in dance at the #1 hbcu - spelman college, her beloved alma mater.

reach one, teach one.

Since 2016, KHILA has worked with 750+ children across the country.

Since 2021, KHILA has taught over 200+ college students across the country.

featured on television

“Syracuse University Pushes Diversity Through Dance”

Spectrum News (2022)

teaching highlights

  • Exclusively taught 300 children (ages 3-13) various dance techniques and theory for a 6-week summer camp program

  • Carefully developed and taught new dance curricula for various K-12 schools’ performing arts programs throughout Metro-Atlanta and Philadelphia area.

  • Have taught dance technique and theory to international students from India, Puerto Rico, China, Belgium, and more.

  • Served as a dance panelist for Spelman College’s Sports, Arts, and Entertainment 2025 Homecoming Summit.

  • Organized and hosted an 8-hour virtual dance community service event via Zoom for aspiring movement artists nationwide with a line-up of BIPOC industry professionals and artists in effort to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic. Raised $1,000 to help sponsor dancers to participate.

Courses taught

  • Advanced Contemporary Modern

  • Basic Concepts of Choreography

  • Beginning Contemporary Modern

  • Beginning Modern/Post-Modern Dance

  • Commercial Hip Hop Dance

  • Dance Perspectives & Process

  • Dance Production*

  • Dance Repertory

  • Hip Hop/Street Dance Forms

  • Intermediate Contemporary Modern

  • Senior Projects in Dance*

  • The Arts Education Teaching Sequence (AETS) in UCLA’s Visual and Performing Arts Program*

* = Teaching Assistantship

class footprints

  • Atlanta, GA

  • Boston, MA

  • Brockport, NY

  • Chicago, IL

  • Philadelphia, PA

  • Los Angeles, CA

  • Newport, RI

  • Syracuse, NY

  • Vancouver, B.C.

  • “I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the care, discipline, and intention you brought to class this semester. I want you to know that I genuinely value the space you create and the standards you hold for your students. This class challenged me not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

    While I sometimes struggled with memory and recall, the experience deepened my respect for the process of learning through the body and reinforced my appreciation for dance as a form of expression and discipline. Your instruction reminded me that growth does not always look perfect, but it is still meaningful. I am grateful for what I gained from this class and for the example you set as an educator and artist. Thank you for your time, patience, and commitment to your students.”

    - Kamael Kirkland, Spelman College, Fall 2025

  • “She has truly revitalized my passion for dance, and has been a radiant force for everyone in her class. Her interpretation of technique application mimics the tactics used throughout my career as a professional dancer. She is truly a breath of fresh air when it comes to attitude revolving beginning dancers, different bodies, empathy for situations and more. She is humble and compassionate.“

    - Anonymous, Spelman College, Spring 2025

  • “[Professor K’s] emphasis on the historical and cultural contexts of hip hop, and all the sub genres and genres that belong to hip hop, have helped me broaden my academic knowledge in addition to the choreographies and skills we pick up…The ways in which hip hop has given generations a voice – to call out systems of oppression, the injustices of the world, sharing the lived experiences of Black and brown folks in America – gave the course much more substance.”

    - Chase Fitzpatrick, Syracuse University, Spring 2022

  • “Prior to this class, I had a very limited perspective on Hip Hop dance and culture...However now, my knowledge and views have expanded immensely. Professor [KHILA]’s classes were always high energy and supportive! I really did feel like I was experiencing the sense of community that hip hop is known for.”

    - Anonymous, Syracuse University, Spring 2022

  • "Overall, I believe that if Professor [K] was not the teacher for this class, I would not be as willing to do anything. She genuinely makes you feel super comfortable and brings the extra energy that some of us might need during the week. I truly look forward to the class based solely upon seeing her and the transfer of her energy."

    - Anonymous, Syracuse University, Fall 2021

  • "The confidence and the mindfulness I learned from class are what I learned the most from Professor [K], and I believe that I will carry them on me from now on."

    - Anonymous, Syracuse University, Fall 2021

“We weren’t just learning steps. We were learning why those movements matter.”

Kai Dickerson

Spelman College, Class of 2025