V a u g h n N e w m a n D a n c e

Vaughn Newman Dance is a fusion of human consciousness and cultural diversity, dedicated to delivering mesmerizing and impactful dance performances not only in Upstate SC but also beyond. Through our dynamic movements, we express the essence of the human experience, creating an emotional connection that transcends cultural differences. Our dances are like living poetry, crossing cultural boundaries, and raising awareness of the importance of spirituality and community growth.

Artivist &
Choreographer

From a young age, dance has been my salvation, allowing me to explore different cultures and convey universal messages through movement. I quickly realized the power of the arts to inspire and give direction beyond the confines of my hometown of inner-city Philadelphia. My mission now is to use the arts to unite communities and foster individual experiences of hope, awareness, and social change. As an African American arts director, choreographer, and citizen artist, I am committed to creating dance that speaks to the people and feeds the soul.

Vaughn Newman's dancing journey started at William Penn Arts Charter in Philadelphia, PA. He then trained at Freedom Theater, PHILADANCO, & New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. In Miami, he performed with Momentum Dance Company and Brazz Dance Theater. In 2009, he moved to Upstate SC and began collaborating with local studios and theaters.

The Studio serves as the home of Vaughn Newman Dance (VND), Greenville's inaugural professional black dance company, and has been operational since 2018. It has been showcasing black dance in the Upstate SC area. In line with VND's mission, ZAKI West African Drum & Dance Ensemble and ADAM Arts were set up the year after. These community outreach programs offer interactive sessions, performance chances, classes, and workshops for local schools, dance enthusiasts, and pre-professional dancers.

In January 2022, South Arts recognized Vaughn as one of the "Emerging Leaders of Color" because of his commitment to the arts.

In August 2022, Vaughn journeyed to Ghana, Africa, to receive training from the "WASSA Pan African Dance Company" for an entire month for a West African Dance and Drum tour. Following his return, he established PACE (Pan-African Cultural Exchange). PACE's primary objective is to unite the Diaspora and folklore by showcasing Africa's diverse cultural and traditional arts to the global community. PACE's first initiative is the PACE Dance Festival, a two-week event in collaboration with The National Dance Company of Ghana. The festival will occur in the summer of 2023 at The National Theater with dancers from both local and international communities.

The VND organization, currently in its 5th Anniversary season, blends spirituality, life experiences, human encounters, spoken word, and thought-provoking dance to share compelling stories that inspire higher consciousness through the arts.