Weslyn Stephens

Weslyn Stephens, a native of St. Lucia, is currently a Graduate Candidate at NYU Tish School of the Arts Department of Art & Public Policy. She began her dance training at ST. Lucia School of Ballet and Modern dance which follows Royal Academy of Dance tradition. Ms. Stephens continued her studies at the Dance Theater of Harlem School in New York City and Rutgers University where she honed her craft and found her purpose. Her performance credits include Dance Theater of Harlem's School and Staten Island Ballet.

She is a dance educator, teaching children from under-served communities, classical forms of dance while allowing young dancers to tap into their innate capabilities. As a Choreographer, Weslyn is inspired by her many years of classical ballet training as well as her St. Lucian and Guyanese cultural heritage.

Born in St. Lucia of Guyanese decent, she incorporates Afro- Caribbean rhythms to her movement through extensive use of hip isolations and grounded-ness. She hopes to channel her personality and love of the art through her choreography. Weslyn also uses her experience as an anthropology major to create works that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but works that challenge cultural, social injustices, and give a call to action. 

What drew you to the MA Arts Politics Program?

During my undergraduate studies in Anthropology and Dance at Rutgers, I became aware of social injustices in other parts of the world and realized the need for change as I began paying attention to my immediate surroundings. I considered public policy master's programs but found the perfect fit at Tisch Arts Politics program.