Corey Baker, Co-Artistic Director
Corey Baker was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Corey began his training at Creative Outlet under the direction of Jamal Gaines. He later went on to study at the Professional Performing Arts School in connection with The Alvin Ailey School. Corey also trained at Dance Theater of Harlem, Harlem School for the Arts, and the Joffrey Ballet School. Corey was a principal dancer with Philadanco and has also performed with Complexion Contemporary Ballet, Creative Outlet Dance theater of Brooklyn, Forces of Nature Dance Theater and Ballet X. Corey has worked with Katherine Dunham, George Faison, Shirley Black Brown, Obediah W right, Robert Townsend, and Missy Elliot. Corey has also appeared in movies and documentarys for PBS and A&E, and has done Print Modeling for L’uomo Vouge Magazine , Essence ,Vibe, and One World. He has also participated in the Lion King workshop and the Ujamma Theater Company. Corey has presented his choreography in several venues including the Montreal Fringe Festival, The Toronto Street Festival, The Riverside Church’s “Now Dance Festival,” Eleone Dance Theater, Ballet Creole, and Philadelphia International Records. Mr. Baker has also worked with signed artists doing Song Writing, choreography, and image consulting. His work has also been showcased at the African American Burial Grounds produced by Mayor Bloomberg and The Schomburg Museum. He is also the Co-founder of An Evening of Artistic Empowerment in Toronto through New World Dance. Corey will be setting a new ballet on Nashville ballet in fall of 2008 and is proud to launch the new Ground Breaking Company Ballet Noir where he will be Co-Artistic Director with longtime friend Leyland Simmons and Resident Choreographer. Thank You God for giving me the vision and strength to embark on this journey.
Leyland Simmons, Co-Artistic Director Leyland Simmons, began his formal dance training with Barbara Devereaux and the Royal Academy School of Dance in Anchorage, Alaska, at age seven. He later studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Miami City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, The Ailey School, Ballet Divertimento, and the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City. A former member of Ailey 2 and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Mr. Simmons has also performed with the Peridance Ensemble, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Nathan Trice’s/Rituals, George Faison, Ballet X, and at the Moscow and Miami International Ballet Festivals. One performance of Mr. Simmons noted that he was “vibrant in his solo, whipping off multiple pirouettes…,” and “he added powerful turns and jumps while remaining sensitive to the otherwise gentle ending.” Leyland is a sought after teacher and has also appeared in numerous film, television, and print projects such as the History Channel's Honor Deferred, Augustine Productions "The Audition", Vh-1's "The Upper Crest", ABC's "Cashmere Mafia", NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle”, YRB magazine, Puma, Getty/Corbis Images, Al Sharpton's "Sharp Talk", Law and Order, and the Judge David Young and Maria Lopez Shows. He is proud to be the Co-Artistic Director of Ballet Noir with long time friend Corey Baker. Thank You God for being the head of my life continue to order my steps!!!!
