07/20/2026
Upstart Choreographer Feature: Adrean Maxwell
Prince Adrean’s dance journey began at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church through praise and liturgical dance. At age 8, he began African dance training with Ton Ko-Thi Children’s Ensemble and Ko-Thi Dance Company, studying under masters such as Youssouf Koumbassa and Mbemba Bangoura. In 2014, he expanded his training in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz dance at TBEY Arts Center, and later joined Dynamic Dance under Tisiphani Mayfield. A graduate of Milwaukee High School of the Arts with a double major in Vocal Performance and Dance, Adrean studied under Raymond Roberts, Dean Drews, Sandra Jordan, and Roxanne Kess. He is a 2025 graduate of Columbia College Chicago, having earned his B.A in Dance. As an undergraduate, Adrean has performed as a Company Artist with Chicago’s Muntu Dance Theater. His studies have taken him across the U.S., focusing on dance traditions from Guinea, Senegal, and Mali. He currently serves as Associate Ensemble Director for Ko-Thi Dance Company Adrean’s choreography blends African Diasporic traditions with Western concert styles, rooted in spirituality, community, and identity. His growth is guided by mentors including Ferne Caulker Bronson, Tisipani Mayfield, Desmond Cotton, Chancie Cole, Regina Perry-Carr, Idy Ciss, Bevara Anderson, Darrell Jones ,T’Ayo Alston, Imania Detry. As a performer, teacher, and choreographer, Adrean has worked with TBEY Arts Center, Signature Dance Company, DanceworksMKE, Chicago’s Winifred Haun & Dancers, and See Chicago Dance (Dance Month Kickoff 2025). His work has also been presented at Columbia College Chicago’s Dance Center through Student Performance Night.
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Join MFA Dance students for an evening of experimental choreography developed in collaboration with UWM students, alumni, and the Milwaukee community. UpStart is a unique opportunity to experience choreography by artists from across the nation.
Choreography and performances by Kelly Anderson, Sydney Bannach, Alex Hlavaty, Tiffany Kadani, Adrean Maxwell, Dalia Salary, and Carly Vanderheyden.
7/30 at 7pm -Ticket Link in bio!
