Meet Diaunte J.

As Synergy Magazine describes him, he is a performer, scholar, dancer, choreographer, creative visionary and director. Diaunte has been involved with the entertainment industry for the past 8 years and has been trained by some of the most elite performers and choreographers in the industry. His training began at the age of 12 with Diamond Minds Dance Academy under the leadership of Ms. Vernee’ Randolph and Genesis Dance World under the leadership of Mr. Rod Davis. Upon graduating and matriculating into a higher level of learning, summer moving on to his freshman year in high school, he was accepted into Ailey Camp Miami. There he studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz and West African with Traci Young-Byron, Ricky Dume, Tyrell Role, Miss. Trina, Pioneer Winter.

Once entering Miami Northwestern his freshman year, Diaunte joined the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre under the Direction of Traci Young-Byron. Within the company, he was granted several opportunities such as competing on Lifetime TV Series "Bring It!" as well as being a main cast on our own TV Series "Step It Up". One of his most memorable moments was being selected to participate in the ATLA TAKEOVA dance convention, which exposed him to different genres of dance such as locking, and break dancing. While taking classes with world renown choreographers who toured with artists such as Mariah Carey, and other, he received a lot of insight of this dance industry and truly felt in love with the touring life of a dancer.

Diaunte was honored with a scholarship from the Alvin Ailey Extension in New Work City for the summer of 2016. Indeed, throughout his journey as a dancer, he has faced many adversities but had the strength and courage to keep overcoming them to achieve his goals in life to be a professional artist, educator, and mentor for the arts.

As an University of Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Jenkins has proceeded to began his journey in education as the Magnet Dance Instructor at Norland Middle School. During his undergrad tenure, he contributed to the School of Theatre and Dance by serving as the Rehearsal assistant for the MOD Ensemble, an advocator for the minorities in the department as well as the Founder and Artistic Director of his own local Dance Company entitled IDANce Xperience LLC. He strived to continue educating the community, teaching dance and giving back to Alachua County. Without a doubt, his contributions have led him to several success while at the University of Florida. He has also been recognized on a national level for his humanitarian acts for the community with his company, given the title “Most Artistic Student” by the Black Student Assembly, as well as even being able to direct three productions.

Jenkins credits include but are not limited to Lifetime Network (“Step it Up”, “Bring It”,) BET+ (“First Wives Club), Jvck James, Official D’angel, Jon B, Jazz in the Gardens, Trina Rockstar Festival and more. He has also been recently nominated for “Best New Choreographer, Best Competition Choreographer and Best Industry Choreographer for “THE DANCER AWARDS 2023”.