Meet the Choreographers!

Image Credits: Aniya Fowlers 

As the well-anticipated Mr. NCNW showcase draws near, lets meet the choreographers. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Aniyah Eubanks and Aniya Flowers, the choreographers for the dance moves we’ll be seeing very soon. Aniyah and Aniya are both third year students majoring in interdisciplinary studies. What does it take to mold the contestants into well-reformed and coordinated performers? I took the time to answer this question by interviewing Aniyah and her fellow choreographer to gain insight into one of the important backbones of the NCNW showcase. 

Aniyah Eubanks 

Q: Your year and major? 

A: Junior, Interdisciplinary studies with a minor in Early Education

Q: What’s your dancing background? 

A: Since the age of three, I have been trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Praise, Hip-Hop, Majorette and even acting classes at the Pointe Dance Studio, where I later joined the competition team traveling across the country.

Q: Being the lead choreographer for the showcase, how did you get the role and what excited you about being part of the Mr. NCNW? 

A: I got the role through my friend and program coordinator for NCNW, Aniyah Fowler. What really excited me about being part of this project was seeing how hard the contestants worked on my very first day with them. Even though they were clearly uncomfortable at times, they still pushed themselves and stepped outside of their comfort zones. Watching them challenge themselves and grow made me even more grateful to be involved in the experience.

Q: The guys that are in this have no dancing background, how is it getting them ready for show day and what’s some things you take for granted that beginners must learn, that comes natural to you having a dancing background? 

A: Dance is personal. There is no single “right” way to move. Just like handwriting, everyone’s style looks different. Some people write big, some small. Some write neatly, some messier but the message can still be understood. In the same way, dancers may move differently, but they can still express the same feeling or idea. For beginners, this is important because many people feel nervous about not looking “perfect.” Confidence matters more than perfection. Dance is about expression, just as much as technique.

Q: What drives you as a dancer and performer, and what do you hope the guys take out of the experience?

A: What drives me as a performer is being able to entertain others and hopefully be able to emote a story through dance . I hope the guys take from  this opportunity that they can do anything they think they can’t, and to never close their minds to anything. 

Q: Can you tell us about a memory from your first performance and how that made you feel? 

A: I was very young and I can only remember mouthing the counts while on stage. It honestly didn’t scare me, from what I can remember.   

Q: What’s the last thing you want to tell the guys before they hit the stage?

A: Have fun and leave it all on the stage 

Q: What’s your favorite dance trend of all time?

A: Beyonce’s video of “Girls Run the World” 

Q: If you could dance for any artists, who would it be and why?

A: Chris Brown. He is a true talent. 

Aniya Fowler

Q: What is your year and major? 

A: Junior majoring in interdisciplinary studies  

Q: What is your dancing background? 

A: My dance background includes being a member of D.R.E.A.M. Team, where I’ve trained and performed in hip-hop and other high energy styles. Through D.R.E.A.M., I’ve grown not only as a dancer but as a performer and teammate. 

Q: What has it like helping Aniyah through the process of making the dance routine? 

A: Helping Aniyah through the choreography process can sometimes feel intense because of how passionate she is about her craft. She takes dance very seriously and always wants everything to look polished and intentional. While that passion can create tense moments, it ultimately pushes us to be better. In the end, we always come up with strong, creative combinations that we’re proud of. 

Q: What’s some style differences and similarities you and Aniyah have when it comes to choreographing/directing a dance? 

A: One major difference between us is that Aniyah is more of a technical dancer. She focuses heavily on precision, sharp movements and clean execution. I tend to focus more on performance quality, energy, and how the routine connects with the audience. However, we’re similar in our creativity and attention to detail. We both care deeply about storytelling through movement and making sure every dancer feels confident in what they’re performing 

Q: You competed in Miss Black & Gold in the fall. What tips can you give the guys to help with any stage fright or nervousness they may have, and how do you overcome it? 

A: One piece of advice I would give the guys is to stay confident and block out all distractions on the day of the show. You have to remind yourself that you’ve worked hard for this moment. No matter the outcome, win or lose, you’ve already grown from the experience. When I competed, I felt nervous too, but I learned to channel those nerves into energy. Instead of thinking about the crowd, I focused on my preparation and trusted myself. 

Q: When the guys do their dance onstage, what’s something you’re looking for that they’ve been practicing beforehand?  

A: I’m really looking forward to seeing their personality shine through. I want to see their smiles, their confidence and the effort they’ve put into rehearsals. 

Q: Can you tell us about a memory from your first performance and how that made you feel?  

A: My first performance was at the Homecoming Rep Rally here at West Chester University, hosted by BSU. Different dance organizations came together to perform and showcase who we are, performing in groups. Being in D.R.E.A.M. was my first time performing in front of such a large crowd, and my family was there too. I was definitely nervous at first. My heart was racing, and I didn’t want to mess up. But once the music started, everything clicked. By the end of the performance, I felt proud and accomplished. I left all my nervousness on the floor and walked away feeling like I truly belonged on that stage. 

Q: What’s the last thing you want to tell the guys before they hit the stage? 

A: The last thing I want to tell them is that they are already winners. They’ve come such a long way, and their growth shows. I just want them to make it count, leave everything on that stage, and have fun. Moments like this don’t come often. 

 Q: What’s your favorite dance trend of all time? 

A: My favorite dance trend right now is the Emmatic Challenge. I love it because I’ve seen my mom make those moves for years. Growing up, I would copy her and add my own little swag to it. Seeing it come back around and being embraced by a new generation makes me love it even more. It’s special watching something pass from generation to generation and still feel fresh today. 

Q: If you could dance to any artist, who would it be and why? 

A: If I could dance to any artist, it would be Lizzo. She was one of the first Black, plus sized artists I looked up to in high school. Seeing her confidently perform and have dancers of all body types on stage with her inspired me so much. She represents inclusivity, confidence and self love. I’ve always admired how she creates space for dancers who don’t always see themselves represented in the industry. Dancing for her would feel full circle. 

I had a great time learning about these wonderful Choreographers! I’m also very excited to see the contestants show off their moves. Be sure to check out the Mr. NCNW showcase 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 4 at 7 pm in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. NABJ will also be doing the official coverage, come see us there!

Felicia Manful

Fourth Year 

Biomedical Engineering Major

WCU Womens Tennis Team