By Shawn Nowlin
Ballet is not a style of dance that is common in the Black community, especially among boys. According to research by Data US, less than three percent of all ballet dancers are African-American males.
Roanoke teen Tyrique Bowles, 17, started taking ballet seriously when he was in grade school. Today, he is within arm’s reach of accomplishing a significant milestone – attending one of the most prestigious theater companies in the country.
Kiesha Preston has documented every step of her son’s journey from the start. When Tyrique showed an interest in dancing at an early age, she signed him up for a hip-hop class so he could learn how to break dance.
“Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough interest in the class, so it got canceled. Someone suggested that he take a ballet class because it’s foundational to so many things,” she explained. “It didn’t take long before he fell in love with it. Within a year, he was taking professional classes as well as studying modern dance and jazz.”
Teachers who previously taught Tyrique describe him as “an attentive listener, great student and all-around good kid.” Two years ago, he served as a Page in the Virginia House of Delegates. Since then, he’s been actively involved in a youth-led climate lawsuit against the state.
It takes courage for someone to be comfortable in their skin, regardless of the opinions of others. No stranger to summer dance intensive programs, Tyrique has spent years perfecting his craft. Having the opportunity to train with notable teachers and receive top-notch instructions has been invaluable for Tyrique and his family.
On top of getting accepted into the prestigious Dance Theater of Harlem, Tyrique was also awarded the Keith Lee Scholarship to dance for the Charlottesville Ballet this summer. “When I am performing, I feel free and completely at ease. My ultimate goal is to make a comfortable living as a professional dancer,” Tyrique said.
“Every time I watch him dance, I see growth and improvements. It makes me proud of how hard he’s willing to work toward something that he loves. It also makes me proud that he’s brave enough to be different. There aren’t a lot of boys dancing ballet,” Kiesha said. “That representation is really important, and I want to see him continuing to defy the norms.”
Earlier this year, Kiesha and her son made a list of programs for him to audition. “We are currently in the process of applying to various dance programs all over the country. To help with the costs that will likely include housing and travel, we will be holding a fundraiser in the foreseeable future,” she added.
Kiesha wants all three of her children – Tyrique, Drevion and Jayla – to dream beyond their wildest imaginations. “Although it’s not always easy, children truly are a mother’s most precious treasure,” she said. “They each have unique talents and I am committed to doing everything in my power to help them reach their full potential.”
