Impacting Community Youth Through Education and Personal & Professional Development

Meet Makenzie Winters, Tennessee's shining star! MaKenzie is formally trained in classical ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, acro, hip-hop, lyrical, and modern. She has had the privilege of attending several summer intensive dance programs over the years, learning from American Ballet Theatre certified teacher, Violeta Angelova and the Joffrey Ballet School Co-Artistic Director, Matthew Prescott. MaKenzie’s classical ballet repertoire includes principal roles in The Nutcracker (Clara), Peter Pan (Tinker Bell), Alice in Wonderland (The Mad Hatter), and Beauty and the Beast (Spirit of the Rose). This fall, MaKenzie is applying to The Juilliard School as well as The Ailey School and Fordham University. The Bachelor of Fine Arts programs offered by these institutions will allow her to obtain a higher level of technical training, provide performance opportunities along with learning the craft of choreography, production and directing. Makenzie’s ambition is to attend a university that offers dance and performing arts, as she continues to work toward her goal of dancing and performing professionally. Another dream is to someday own and operate a dance studio, where she can teach all genres of dance.

MaKenzie plans to pursue her master’s degree in social work or criminal justice. She is passionate about serving people facing social injustices, such as inequality, discrimination, and oppression. Makenzie believes in the power of the arts to drive investments in Black and Brown communities, building a foundation for cultural enrichment and celebration, which she believes can deliver positive social, economic, and educational outcomes.

Follow MaKenzie's journey on her social media channels to get an insider's view of a "Day in the Life" of a true Juneteenth Queen, role model, and change maker.  Congratulations again to our 2024-2025 Miss Juneteenth Queen for a job exceptionally well done.