​Visual Abstract Dance Academy
MR. ROBERT BROWN
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Robert Brown was born the eldest of three, and raised in a single parent family residing in the “Lower East Side” Manhattan New York. He began his dance training at Junior High School 22 where he was given a scholarship to study at the Henry Street Settlement Abrons Arts Center Performing Arts Program. He was then chosen for the “Next Step” program at Steps on Broadway in New York City. It was there that Daniel Catanach invited Mr. Brown to become a founding member of New York City’s Urban Ballet Theater where he quickly progressed to Principal dancer and dancing roles such as, Snow King, Arabian, Waltz of the Flowers in The Nutcracker for and Sir Joe in the Carmen Project.
At 19 he began his career as a Guest Artist for dance companies throughout the United States, including City Ballet of Los Angeles, Company of Dance Arts, Delaware Dance Company, Dallas Repertory Ballet, Dallas Dance Academy, Company of Dance Arts in Dallas, Company of Dance Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey, Ballet Lubbock and special projects in New Orleans for the New Orleans Ballet Association, NORD/NOBA Center for Dance in New Orleans. In assistance to his mentor Daniel Catanach, Mr. Brown began sharing his knowledge and experience by returning to some of the companies above teaching Master classes and workshops, until branching off on his own.
During his 12 year run as Principal Dancer of Urban Ballet Theater, Robert Brown has performed on stages, such as, Queens Theater In The Park (NY), Schomburg Theater (NYC), Count Basie Theater (NJ), Harry Dejur Playhouse (NY), Civic Center (TX), over twenty stages during their 3 week and 17 city tour in New Mexico premiering Catanach’s “La Llarona”, and Jacob’s Pillow (MA). In 2007, Mr. Brown had relocated to Phoenix Arizona and there, began expanding his dance education by training and then teaching Ballroom. He joined the Arthur Murray International Dance Studio in Phoenix and two years later was asked to relocate to their Arrowhead location, where he attained his teaching certificate 3 years in, and became a certified ballroom instructor.
Mr. Brown now serves as Founder and Artistic Director of Visual Abstract Dance Academy in Buckeye Arizona since July of 2011. During the upbringing of his school, he has continued to guest for schools within the Buckeye Elementary School District, Buckeye Union High School District, and Tolleson High School District where he had launched his Voices Unreeled project. Mr. Brown was then contacted by the PTSA of Trivium/Archway of the Great Hearts School District where he extended the Voices Unreeled project and was brought on board with Academy of Classical Ballet (ACB) through Ballet Forme, their parent-run 501(c)3 to audition and choreograph for their season-end event. Mr. Brown has also worked with companies within the state including, but not limited, Karina’s Ballerinas in Avondale, Dance Force 1 in Tucson, Juicebox in Goodyear, and Ballet Phoenix in Goodyear. Ballet Phoenix is where Mr. Brown had been inspired to create his first full length ballet Magic Unveiled, and is now in the process of writing the book based on the ballet. After which, Robert then formed a partnership with Local charter school Odyssey Preparatory Academy to then progressively create his second Full length ballet, “Vice & Virtue” which has been premiered May of 2015. As he has progressed, Mr. Brown has also created more full-length ballet showcases, such as, Gemstones, Coal of Night, and Groovements. Mr. Robert has also begun spreading the joys of the performing arts in Verrado Heritage, Scott Libby, Mable Padget, and Verrado Elementary School within the Litchfield Elementary School District.