Ms. Brenda Divelbliss (Ms. D) is a dance teacher at CRLS, a position she has held for over two decades. During her time here, she has guided her students, built a tight-knit community, and co-founded the CRLS Modern Dance Company (MDC) with another CRLS dance teacher, Dr. Mila Thigpen. As a dance teacher, Ms. D holds a unique position, serving as a teacher, a choreographer, and a coach for her students.
Ms. D grew up in Ohio, where she began her dance journey. “I was a very shy child,” she recounted to the Register Forum. “And my mom thought that dancing would be great for my confidence.” While she enjoyed rehearsing and performing, Ms. D soon discovered her love for another aspect of dance. “As a teenager, I became very interested in choreography.” “This has remained my favorite part of dance—putting together movement [and] puzzling things out. I feel so fortunate, because I get to do that in my job now!”
Ms. D moved to Boston for school. After graduating, she came across an exciting job opportunity. “I randomly heard about an opening at CRLS,” she explained to the RF. “The school hired me as a dance teacher, and I immediately fell in love with the job.” Despite her love for the school, she did take a brief hiatus from the position. “I started working here in 1999. In 2011, my husband took a job out in Oregon, so I was there for a few years. But then he got the opportunity to come back here! I was lucky enough to get rehired at CRLS. I missed it here so much while I was gone!”
Ms. D has always loved being a teacher and the endless opportunities for growth that the job provides. She told the RF, “What I like about teaching is that I always have room to improve. That is really exciting for me!” But her favorite part of the job is working with students. “I love helping students truly understand dance,” she explained to the RF. “I love how creative students are, and how caring they are for one another.”
One of Ms. D’s most notable achievements is the founding of MDC, with the help of her colleague Mila Thigpen. “Dr. Thigpen and I started MDC in 2000,” Ms. D told the RF. “I love to see all of the choreography that is generated by company dancers!” MDC also allows Ms. D to foster a unique connection with students. “With MDC, I get a lot of the same students every year.” Ms. D explained to the RF. “That’s really special, since a lot of teachers do not get another chance to see their students. It feels like we have a little dance family!”
Ms. D has contributed greatly to the CRLS community, building a strong and enjoyable environment for young dancers. “I have really loved teaching here … And it has been an amazing journey.”
