WHY WE DANCE
Divergence Dance Conservatory is a place where everyone is welcome, and anyone can improve their skills, their health, and their life, through the art of dance.
At DDC, we offer ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop and other dance classes in Roseville. Inclusivity and positivity are at the core of who we are. We believe that dance has the power to change people's lives by giving them more confidence, better health, improved skills on and off the dance floor, and lifelong friendships. And we believe everyone should have that opportunity.
We were founded with the vision to create a community where everyone feels welcome, encouraged, and supported, whether you're taking one class a week for enjoyment or exercise, or training seven days a week for a future career as a professional dancer.
We welcome people from ages 2 to 200, in all shapes and sizes, at all skill levels, able and disabled bodies, and dancers who are neurotypical and neurodivergence. We strive to create a place that accommodates the needs of all our students and guests, and we believe strongly in giving back to the community. We provide scholarships to children who cannot afford dance whenever possible and volunteer in the community and at local charter and public schools.
Divergence Dance Conservatory is where everyone dances.
"This is such a family friendly dance studio. The front lobby is spacious and there are toys for children to play with as they wait for class. My daughter has been taking ballet and tap from Ms. Felicia for a few years now and it is an absolute joy to work with her. Ms. Felicia teaches them dance, terminology, and human anatomy. She pours her knowledge out onto her students and they soak it up like little sponges. It is so much fun to watch the children learn and grow together as a team. I have made so many friends here, to me it is not just a dance studio, it is a community."
- Melanie Fiffick, Parent
ABOUT MS. FELICIA
With over 25 years of experience in dance education and choreography, Felicia Fry has helped thousands of students excel in the art of dance.
Felicia began her training in Roseville, California, under longtime Cecchetti Society board member, Jean Fulton, studying and testing under the Cecchetti method for 15 years.
In 2003, she moved to attend the leading dance program at UC Irvine, where she would receive her B.F.A. in Dance with an Emphasis in Performing. While attending UCI she was a member of Donald McKayle's Etude Ensemble. She also founded the Community Outreach Program for Bare Bones Dance Theatre, which encouraged local High School students to pursue college and educated them on the process of producing a dance show. While dancing with Dave Massey, Felicia placed first at the 2004 Gus Giordano's Jazz Dance World Congress in Costa Rica. She has also spent summers training with Cecchetti USA, Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago, Alonzo King Lines Ballet in San Francisco and Summer Lee Rhatigan at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.
In 2007, Felicia returned to Northern California and opened Anti-Gravity School of Dance in Roseville, where she received high praise for offering scholarships to underprivileged children. After nine years of living her dream owning and operating a successful dance school, Felicia returned to school to pursue her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance, Creative Practice at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga. There she studied social justice, somatic dance and movement practices, pedagogy, phenomenology, dance history, performance studies, design methodologies, dance stage and production management, producing, and choreography. Upon completing her studies, she published a highly praised research paper on autistic embodiment and produced a show dedicated to neurodiversity which featured an inclusive cast.
In addition to volunteering at several local charter and public schools, Felicia is a board member and supporter of the Sacramento Area Dance Alliance. She serves on the National Committee of Cecchetti USA and was a coach in the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition in 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. Felicia holds an Associate and Essential Anatomy Teaching Certificate from Cecchetti USA and has held a Personal Training certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Felicia is now the founding owner and artistic director of Divergence Dance Conservatory in Roseville, California, where she strives to provide an environment for growth, artistry, inclusion, and advocacy.
"Felicia has been an integral part of my son and daughter's dance experience for the past several years. She has encouraged and challenged them to work hard and with more purpose rather than just show up for class and then go home. Felicia is relational and motivational, sharing her life and time with many students as they grow in their love for dance."
- Sara Greco, Parent