Today we’d like to introduce you to The Diva University Coryelle Scott & Tesha Alexander.
Hi The Diva University, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Coryelle Scott and Tesha Alexander were both studio dancers since the age of 3, high school cheerleaders and college dancers. After participating in pro cheer and starting families, both Coryelle and Tesha started dance programs to give the youth a fun outlet and to train in majorette dance. In 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic hit their programs and as their memberships decreased, they needed a plan to survive. After connecting on social media, Coryelle and Tesha combined their previous dance programs to create The Diva University. Their goal was to build more than just a dance team—they wanted a comprehensive training organization that:
teaches majorette dance from beginner through advanced levels,
prepares students for HBCU danceline and auxiliary auditions,
promotes leadership, discipline, confidence, and academic success, and
connects Midwest dancers with HBCU band and dance culture.
Today, The Diva University is the largest majorette program in St. Louis. The Diva University has become the go-to majorette training organization, HBCU danceline resource center, and youth development program serving students ages 5-18. In addition to dance instruction, it offers college audition preparation through its Auxiliary Quest program, mentorship, member scholarships, and community engagement opportunities.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a dance program is much harder than we make it look from the outside. While people often see the performances, our beautiful studio, and competitions, a successful program also functions as a small business, a youth organization, and an educational program all at once. Some of our biggest challenges at the beginning were finding consistent rehearsal space, staffing, student development management, creating an all inclusive skill level curriculum, funding for travel, setting affordable pricing that covered team needs, and community engagement. We now have our own conveniently located studio in North County St. Louis. We have a highly trained and dedicated staff that we absolutely love. We have created an all inclusive curriculum for beginner through advanced members. Now, our struggles only include economic based issues such as: tuition affordability, travel funding, and community engagement. We have started scholarships to help serve those in need as well as aid in members college funds. We believe that one day tuition affordability won’t be an issue for anyone interested in the art of dance, traveling to competition won’t be a financial burden on our families, and that the community will come out and support our annual scholarship gala, brunch with black santa and our many other annual fundraisers.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Diva University is a youth majorette dance team and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) danceline training organization based in the St. Louis, Missouri area. The Diva University serves children and teens, ages 5–18, by providing dance instruction, performance opportunities, mentorship, and preparation for HBCU auxiliary teams. Coryelle and Tesha train from their years of experience but the organization’s mission goes beyond teaching dance. It aims to help students develop: Confidence and self-esteem, Leadership and discipline, Teamwork and accountability, Physical fitness and dance technique, College readiness- particularly for HBCU dance line auditions, and scholarships opportunities. What sets us apart from other dance programs is that we created a detailed fast track curriculum that allows dancers to have flexibility in training as well as performance opportunities not matter what level they are assigned. We hold our members to a high standard when it comes to appearance and we never deter away from out mission. We are most proud to impact so many youth lives and be a reason our members pursue higher education through dance. The Diva University is a community. Coryelle and Tesha are and extended village for their members. The coaches attend school events, birthdays, graduations, sporting events, and programs for their members. We are also proud to be one of the few youth programs in the country to officer scholarships to its graduating seniors. Not all superheros wear capes. Coryelle and Tesha not only teach dance, they teach life, they impact lives, and they influence lives.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The Diva University is always looking for business collaborations, financial support, and community engagement.
Business partnerships can include restaurants fundraising nights, donations for raffles and auctions, or service bartering. Financial support can include Sponsoring a dancer’s tuition, sponsoring competition fees, sponsoring an event, sponsoring a scholarship, sponsoring uniforms, or donating equipment. Community engagement can include attending events, referring new members, sharing on socials, and word of mouth. We are always looking to support those who support our mission.
Pricing:
- Ages 5-7 $85 per month
- Ages 8-18 $100 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedivau.com
- Instagram: thedivauniversity
- Facebook: The Diva University
- Youtube: thedivauniversity
- Other: 600 N Hwy 67, Florissant, Missouri 63031
