Donna Michelle Vaughn, a native of Baltimore, Maryland received her early childhood training from Dance Dynamics, under the direction of Donna Jean Wiencke. Studying ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics, Donna became a member of Hotshots National Dance Team, traveling to participate in Regional/National competitions and conventions, where she was awarded numerous scholarships for continued studies at various intensives. Donna was accepted into Baltimore School for the Arts, one of the top five performing arts high schools in the country. She completed high school at Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, where her passion to teach and choreograph began. Donna continued her academic and dance training at Virginia Common-Wealth University studying a variety of dance techniques and composition, all the while training under several notable professional dance companies such as, Clay Taliaferro – Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham, Graham, Lar Lubovitch, Gerri Houlihan, Robert Battle and Donald Mckayle to name a few. 

Upon graduating VCU, Ms. Vaughn moved to Chicago, to pursue her career in dance. Under the direction of Julie Nakagawa, she spent three years traveling nationally and internationally with Hubbard Street 2 and DanceWorks Chicago. Performing a repertoire of works by some of the nation’s most renowned choreographers, Donna’s most memorable were the solo, ‘Takedeme’ by Robert Battle and ‘Magical Movements’, performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Vaughn went on to join the Tony award winning show, Disney’s The Lion King, becoming an original cast member of the Las Vegas Company at the Mandalay Bay and is still living the dream on Broadway performing 8 shows a week. With over a decade of professional experience, Donna has performed numerous amounts with Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, commercials ads; award shows like, Black Girls Rock, and landing the starring role in Jill Scott’s Music video, ‘Back Together’, produced by Alan Ferguson.  

Throughout her career, Ms. Vaughn has taught ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre at various workshops, summer intensives, studios, non-profit organizations, and institutions. (Including Rehearsal Director to Ray Mercer – Ailey/Fordham, BFA Program). An artistic creator, educator and mentor, Donna is the founder of Dynamix Works. A two-day workshop providing quality training by the industries top professional dancers, educators, and choreographers. She’s looking forward to continuing to reach and inspire students visiting from all over the world. 

instagram: slimglam_d