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Naila J. Brown

Performing and Teaching Artist

Email:

Location:

Oakland, CA

A Bit About Me

After years of juggling sales work by day and dance by night, I finally made the leap—and fully embraced my path as a professional performer, teaching artist, and choreographer.

This transition has been about more than just switching careers. It’s about choosing alignment. The skills I honed in my previous roles—time management, clear communication, and strategic outreach—still serve me deeply. Now, I use them to build meaningful classes, lead creative processes, and show up fully in rehearsal and on stage.

Through movement, I tell stories, build community, and hold space for growth—mine and others’. Whether I’m performing, teaching, or creating, I bring care, clarity, and purpose to the work.

If you're curious about the intersections of art, healing, and transformation, I’d love for you to follow along. This journey is still unfolding—and there’s so much more to come.

Professional Experience

December 2025

Decemeber 2025

October - November 2025

October 2025

August 2025

June 2025

May 2025 

May 2025 - July 2025

April 2025 - Present

August 2024 - Present

July 2024 - Present

July 2022

December 2021

September 2021

October 2020

February 2020

Febreary 2020

May 2019

March 2019

January 2019

August 2018

June 2018

Febreuary - March 2018

July 2017

April 2017

December 2016 - Mach 2023

December 2016

April 2016

October 2015 - June 2018

April 2015

April 2014 - June 2017

Dancer in Berkeley City Ballet's 51st Nutcracker | Snow Corps, Coffee Diversement | Piedmont, CA

Guest Choreographer in Berkeley City Ballet's 51st Nutcracker | Coffee Diversement | Piedmont, CA

Guest Choreographer at College Preparatory School | Oakland, CA

Urban Jazz Home Season 2025, Counter Pulse Theater | SF, CA

Urban Jazz Dance Company, Choreographed by Antoine Hunter

Assistant Stage Manager for the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival | SF, CA

Winter: The Weight of Silence, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center | Berkeley, CA

SADC 2025 Juneteenth Salon, choreographed by Naila Joelle

UJDC Gallery Performance, 836 M | SF, CA

Urban Jazz Dance Company, choreographed by Antoine Hunter

Choreofest 2025: Everything is Changing, Yerba Buena Gardens | San Francisco, CA

PUSH Dance Company, Choreographed by Ashley Gayle

Company Dancer w/ Urban Jazz Dance Company | Berkeley, CA

Ballet Teacher at Piedmont Ballet Academy | Teaching Ballet 1 to youth twice a week. Fostering confidence, artistry, and foundational technical skills along the way. | Oakland, CA

Dance Instructor at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center |  Dynamic ballet classes that celebrate each dancer’s unique journey. Blending technical precision with imaginative exploration to support every student’s personal growth and self-expression. | Berkeley, CA

As We Breathe (Dance Film) | Silver Spring, MD

Breathe Dance Project, Choreographed by Breanna Seals

Point of Origin Premiere, Atlas Theater | Washington, DC

Breathe Dance Project, Choreographed by Breanna Seals 

Dance Place Festival: New Releases, Dance Place | Washington, DC

Breathe Dance Project, choreographed by Breeanna Seals

One Collective Breath (Dance Film) | Silver Spring, MD

Breathe Dance Project, choreographed by Breanna Seals

Black Herstory, Georgetown University | Washington, DC

Black Pearl Dance, choreographed by Alfreda Davis

Trials to Freedom, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage | Washington, DC

Breathe Dance Project, choreographed by Breanna Seals

How We Got to Now, Dance Place | Washington, DC

Breathe Dance Project, Choreographed by Breanna Seals

Women Are Warriors Artistic Showcase: How We Got to Now (Snippet), New Hope Academy | Landover, MD

Breathe Dance Project, choreographed by Breanna Seals

31st Annual IABD Festival: How We Got to Now, Dayton Convention Center | Dayton, OH

Breathe Dance Project, Choreographed by Breanna Seals

Madame Lovely's Place, Ivy City Smokehouse | Washington, DC

Written and Directed by Cleavon Maebon IV, Choreographed by Ebony Ingram

Incubator Choreographer Showcase, The Washington School of Ballet | Washington, DC

Dayo n Dance, Choreographed by Ebony Ingram

Breathe: The Musical, The Arc Blackbox Theater | Washington, DC

Written and Directed by Cleavon Maebon IV, Choreographed by Ebony Ingram

Body of Work, Dance Place | Washington, DC

Dayo n Dance, Choreographed by Ebony Ingram

Chasing Euphoria, Howard University: Blackburn Ballroom | Washington, DC

I.Am.We, Choreographed by I.Am.We company dancers

Principal Dancer, Bretahe Dance Project | Served as a principal dancer, enhancing the company's reputation through dynamic performances. Conducted training sessions to improve technical skills and artistic expression for company dancers. | Washington, DC

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Incandescence, Howard University: Ira Aldridge Theater | Washington, DC

Breathe Dance Project, Choreographed by Breanna Seals

Raw and Refined, Howard University: Ira Aldridge Theater | Washington, DC

I.AM.We, Choreographed by I.AM.We company dancers 

Dance Instructor at Princess Mhoon Dance Institute | Taught Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop to children aged 2-13, enhancing their foundational dance skills. Developed age-appropriate lesson plans, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment | Silver Spring, MD 

HERstory, Dance Institute of Washington | Washington, DC

I.AM.We, Choreographed by I.AM.We company dancers 

Dancer (2014-2017) and Director (2015-2017), I.Am.We Contemporary Dance Company  | Led dance rehearsals and coordinated choreographers, enhancing team cohesion and performance quality. Performed in student-led shows and at various events across DC | Howard University, Washington, DC

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