Retracing Footsteps: APA Dance alum returns to class

APA alumna Teigha Beth Bailey, now a professional dancer, recently returned to Parrott as a Fall Guest Artist. Submitted photo.

Performer, choreographer, teacher – Teigha Beth Bailey is living a dancer’s dream. The Kinston native and Parrott Academy graduate returned to her old school on Oct. 23rd through 25th as a Fall Guest Artist. For three days she led middle and upper school dance classes, as well as the school’s award-winning Dance Ensemble.  

Parrott dancers follow Bailey’s choreography: (left to right) Kate Robinson, MacKenzi Jones, Kylie Plumb, and Mary Frances Fields.

In a second period class, dedicated teenage dancers followed her complex moves as she marked out an original composition. Looking on, her former teacher, Amanda Hort, was impressed by the confidence, grace, and professionalism of Bailey’s instruction.  

“She’s teaching us some different techniques, and I enjoy her contemporary style,” said Parrott dancer Kylie Plumb.

Kate Robinson added, “I’m really impressed that she’s a professional. She told us she never thought she could do this when she was a sophomore dancer at APA.” 

Bailey began dance as a young girl, studying with Kinston’s Dance Etc. for over ten years before taking dance at Parrott. After graduating in 2014, she received a BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. During her college career she performed twice at the American Dance Festival in Durham. 

Now living in New York, she has performed in a feature film directed by Boaz Yakin and choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith. She is currently creating and performing professionally with The Dash Ensemble, Om Grown Dancers, and SAXYN/DanceWorks.

Hort was thrilled to have her protégé return. “She did it ALL at Parrott Academy – she was an academic scholar, an award-winning dancer, a champion athlete in tennis and basketball, and was always authentically herself. Teigha Beth’s contribution to the fine arts at Parrott Academy is undeniable.