2026 NCDEO Outstanding Dance Educators

Darius Anthony is a teacher, choreographer, and filmmaker dedicated to cultivating artistry, discipline, and self-expression in young artists. A native of Kannapolis, North Carolina, he earned his BFA in Choreography and Performance with K–12 Teaching Licensure from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

 

With over a decade of dance experience and more than five years of teaching in diverse learning environments, Mr. Anthony brings both technical expertise and creative vision to his work. While he specializes in Contemporary dance, he is also experienced in Ballet and Jazz, allowing him to provide students with a well-rounded foundation in technique and performance.

 

Currently serving as the Dance Director at Millbrook Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC, Mr. Anthony is committed to building a safe, inclusive, and challenging learning environment where students are empowered to grow as artists and individuals.

Marissa Nesbit, PhD, MFA is deeply committed to the idea that all children should have the opportunity to attain an excellent dance education centered in the arts. Named as 2024 Outstanding Dance Educator in Higher Education by the National Dance Education Organization, Dr. Nesbit’s approach to teaching centers the meaning that students create through encounters with creative practices in a dynamic and connected classroom community.

 

As Assistant Professor and Dance Education Coordinator at UNC Charlotte, Dr. Nesbit supports aspiring dance educators to craft rigorous and engaging learning experiences that immerse their students in the creative process. Her teaching includes Dance Improvisation, Elementary and Secondary Methods in Dance Education, and Dance Curriculum Design. As a researcher, Dr. Nesbit engages in qualitative research projects that investigate aspects of dance curriculum and pedagogy in K12 contexts.