Darrell Grand Moultrie has quickly emerged as one of America’s most sought after choreographers and master teachers.
Not one to be pigeonholed into any particular genre, Moultrie has carved out an impressive career that seamlessly weaves his distinctive and highly praised ballet, modern, and Theater Dance choreography, to on-stage Broadway performer (most recently seen in Billy Elliot), and to television work where he has choreographed national commercials for Mastercard, Mod’s hair products, Schick Quattro 4 razor, and has worked on the Dave Chappelle Show.
Darrell doesn’t believe in confines. Instead he incorporates all styles of dance into his choreography – jumping genres in exciting and fresh ways as exemplified in the audience favorite Simply Sammy. The collaborative work, created for BalletMet Columbus and Cincinnati Ballet companies, paired famed tap prodigy Marshall Davis Jr. with company ballet dancers. His work is often marked by sharp contrasts and bold patterns with an eye for form, a strong theatrical sensibility, and a knack for showcasing the great athleticism of his dancers.
A proud recipient of the 2007 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award, Darrell’s work has been performed by Ailey 2, The Juilliard School, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Colorado Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, BalletMet Columbus, Milwaukee Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Rasta Thomas and his Bad Boys of Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Tulsa Ballet, and Ballet X. Dance Theatre of Tennessee, Ballet Arkansas, and Richmond Ballet will all perform new creations by Darrell in 2013
In 2011 Darrell was approached by Central Park SummerStage’s dance curator to choreograph under his own moniker, inspiring him to form the pick-up company — Dance Grand Moultrie, which premiered in Central Park in July 2011. Dance Magazine’s Wendy Perron raved of the premiere,
The Melting Pot gave further opportunity to see his unique blend of movements: big moves juxtaposed with small, sensual gestures… Going to see dance at SummerStage is always a pleasant way to spend a summer night—and it’s free. When the program is this good, you can’t believe your luck.
Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director of Cincinnati Ballet comments,
What makes Darrell unique as a choreographer is that he knows how to get to the soul of a performer. His work is well-crafted and theatrical and even in abstract pieces, he makes you feel as though you are following a story. With an innate sense of timing he takes his audience on a journey that ends in pure satisfaction.
An in-demand master teacher, Darrell has coached many young dancers who have gone on to dance in major contemporary and ballet companies, Broadway musicals, and perform with top recording artists like Beyonce and Usher. Darrell has taught and choreographed at many prestigious institutions across the United States, including The Juilliard School, The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, CalArts, Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts, University of Nevada, COCA St. Louis, and Perry Mansfield. He also served as the Director of Musical Theatre at the Harbor Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
As a performer, Darrell was part of the original cast of the hit musical Billy Elliot on Broadway. He has also been seen in West Side Story in Milan, Italy, at the world famous La Scala Opera House, and was a part of the original workshops of the Public Theatre’s Radiant Baby directed by George C. Wolfe, Sweet Charity, and The Color Purple. He was seen on Broadway in the smash hits Hairspray The Musical with Harvey Fierstein, and AIDA where he understudied the role of Mereb, performing opposite Toni Braxton.
Darrell is a proud New Yorker, born and raised in Harlem. A graduate of the esteemed Juilliard School, Darrell is the rare choreographer who boldly integrates multiple styles of dance in an effort to give both audiences and dancers a transformative experience. For Darrell it’s all about cross-pollinating genres, pushing boundaries, and embracing diversity.