We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tyrell Rolle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tyrell , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful moment have been my R.A.G.E. (Reaching -Above -Greater Expectations) Summer Camp for low income families and Shelter families. This summer camp is the home of the dancer’s without judgment indifferent to size, race, or gender. We believe dance develops many skills and is a way out for many youths. Our Motto is “Dance as an Exit”.
This summer I was able to allow Chapman shelter kids participate in our camp and offer them breakfast and lunch.The Rolle Project which is my company is geared toward mentoring and nurturing kids 6 to 16yrs in the appreciation and application of performing arts. Its primary focus is at-risk youths, as well as the children of veterans and disabled veterans, but it is open to anyone.
The summer camp Students at R.A.G.E. are enrolled in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, musical theater ,African, and petite classes where they will learn the importance of team work and also dedication to the arts. R.A.G.E. camp is not only about dancing but changing lives. It’s about growing up strong and healthy and ready to take on the world. Helping with dieting and body condition.
I remember being a young man from liberty city wanting the opportunity to become a real dancer and now Im CHANGING LIVES Of some many in my home town. I lost a lot friends starting my business but that didn’t stop me from becoming successful.I have danced with the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Ailey II company and has taught master classes with Cirque. He’s also performed in the Broadway production of “The Lion King” and was a semi-finalist on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”Because of my connections with the industry, all my students would have the opportunity to meet and work with guest performers and meet some celebrities.
Right now Im my happiest because thanks to Miami Cultural Affairs and Grants Im able to help kids do what they love to do and also I have the full support of my father and mother who is working side by side with me. I have also have guest instructors from Las Vegas who are here to help me grow the program. Next week is our last week of camp and still offering opportunities to kids to train with me and my staff. We have a finale performance August 4,2022 with community partner Diva Arts Dance Studio.
Tyrell , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Tyrell Rolle was born in Key West, Florida raised in Miami, Liberty City. I started my dancing at the African Cultural Arts center where I studied in Acting,Dance,Fashion Design,Music and more. Later then starting ballet with Amour Dance theater where they sent me to New York.I started my career by gaining a scholarship with The Ailey School in New York. Upon completion top in his class, he was fluid in all forms of dance and began touring with Ailey 2 Company. This enabled him to travel around the world to Europe, New York, and Los Angeles just to name a few. His Dance resume consists of jobs like Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Deeply Rooted Chicago, Miami Contemporary Dance Company, Philadanco Dance Company, Blue13 Bollywood Dance Company, Opus Dance Theatre, Dance NOW Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Brazz Dance Theater and also worked on broadway. The experience combined with the traveling fueled a very talented Tyrell Rolle, and he knew he had a passion for the arts and could do anything he puts his mind too.
Tyrell then segued to choreography working with stars such as Elton John, B2K,Mariah Carey,J-Lo, Chrisette Michele, Sean Garrett, Royce Reed, Janice Dickinson, Wisin Y Yandel, Pit Bull, Brianna Perry, Trina, Frank Gatson, Sonya Tayeh, Adam Parson,Andre Fuentes, Christopher Huggins, Danny Ezralow, Anthony Burrell, Christian Andrew, Arthur Mitchell, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Hinton Battle, and many others.
Tyrell Rolle shot to the radar with appearance onscreen for competing on, “So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 (2010)”. Even though he did not succeed to finals the show was very influential in his many opportunities to follow. Tyrell was offered a job in Las Vegas as a guest teacher for Cirque Du Soleil, and also performed with Beatles Love as a character and Ensemble Dancer and also performed at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Disney The Lion King. Hard work this young man is used too, then he was invited to appear as guest judge on the reality show, “Dance Moms” late 2016.
Tyrell has been mentored by some of the most influential dancers of our times one being Judith Jamison. She gave him the confidence he needed to move on to the next levels of his career. Growing up Tyrell had a hard childhood. From living in an under-served community, and being labeled as a slow learner in school. He loved to dance and had an undeniable artistic side that was inevitable. This played a role in his new mission of giving that chance to other kids that mirror some of his struggles. Tyrell founded and recently launched, “The Rolle Project” housed in his “Studio 305”. He is currently the Dance Director at charter school 100 academy school of excellence. Mr.Rolle was selected to be the 2018 Guest Choreographer for CCSD Dance Festival in Las Vegas, NV. Mr.Rolle was the Head Choreographer for Shea Moisture event hosted by Essence Magazine, he also teaches Jazz Millennium Dance Complex,LVA Performing Arts High School, CSN Community College, Del Sol Magnet Program and currently launching an After school program in Miami,Fla . Mr.Rolle holds the title Shining star for Fox 5 Las Vegas and also CBS 5 Proud miami spotlight.His long-term goals of being able to open more Studio 305 across the world with the mission of the organization.
Teachers that has inspired me over the last 10 years are Michelle Murray, Mrs,Diana From Bring it,Ruth Weisen,Shannon Haynes,Sheprio Hardermon, Nasha Thomas and my mom and dad.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My story is coming home and opening up Studio 305 and not having any support from my friends and certain family members.Its already challenging when your A Black choreographer,Teacher and director people already don’t want to support you in a women’s sport, Im here to change the game and let others know about my program. I have something that people need and desire. I remember having students contact me on IG asking why won’t I open a studio here in Miami and now its here and I want the world to support it. I have a two studios in Las Vegas and now a hub here in Miami Dade to offer rental opportunities for anyone in the arts.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to be a positive force enriching the mind, body, and spirit through dance. The vision is to inspire the community with dance education and offer performance opportunities in a facility that will motivate, educate, and develop an appreciation of the fine arts.
Image Credits
Jamie photos