The FILES Arts Project (TFAP) is hosting virtual programs during these unprecedented times.
​Continue your training and join TFAP AT HOME with The FILES Arts Project via Zoom! Instructors from around the country will teach a variety of classes and seminars!

If you participate, we’d love to see it and share it! Please tag @thefilesartsproject and use #TFAPATHOME so we may share our participants continuing their training & healthy habits!

The instructors

Kat Files is a New York City based dancer, dance instructor, model, actress and founder of @thefilesartsproject (TFAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization. She began formal training at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance where she was a 4-year Glorya Kaufman Foundation Dance Scholar. Kat is a company member of Elisa Monte Dance and holds memberships in SAG-AFTRA and Equity.

Kat founded The F.I.L.E.S. (Future Inspired Leaders Exemplifying Success) Arts Project out of her desire to provide free training in dance techniques, music instruction & performance opportunities to underserved communities in her hometown, Birmingham, AL.
Christian Files is currently a Senior Financial Analyst at Clarios in Milwaukee, WI and holds an MBA from Marquette University with a concentration in marketing. Christian initially moved to Milwaukee to join Rockwell Automation's Finance Leadership Development Program, where he transitioned between four finance and accounting roles at the Milwaukee and Cleveland offices with a focus on financial planning and analysis. He later transitioned to the Internal Audit department and was promoted to Senior Finance Auditor, where he supported the company’s internal controls and compliance testing in domestic offices and international offices and plants. Christian Co-Founded @thefilesartsproject, out of his desire to offer opportunities to underserved communities in his hometown, Birmingham, AL.

Christian earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, graduating magna cum laude with a concentration in Finance. During his time at Dayton, he was a trombonist for several of the university’s music ensembles, serving as the principal trombonist for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and a member of the Dayton Jazz Ensemble.
Terri Ayanna Wright (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)  is a New York City-based dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She obtained a BFA with honors from Fordham University and The Ailey School. She has also studied at The Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Intensive on merit scholarship, as a recipient of the Homer Avila Award. After graduating with a dual degree in dance and computer science, Ms. Wright toured domestically and internationally with Ailey II as a performer and teaching artist, under the artistic direction of Troy Powell. Since completing her seasons with Ailey II, she became a founding member and company manager of MATHETA Dance, an afro-modern dance collective.  Ms. Wright just finished her second season with Carolyn Dorfman Dance, and most recently became an MFA candidate in Design & Technology at Parsons School of Design. She is currently an ensemble dancer for The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center's Porgy and Bess, choreography by Camille A. Brown, and also teaches Horton-based dance classes for Ailey Extension. 
​www.terriayannawright.com
Rivkins Christopher was born and raised in the beautiful city of Miami Florida, where he received training from various institutions. He attended the magnet program  Dr. Michael M Krop Senior High School, while in high school he also trained at the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet. After his high school career he went onto attend New World School of the Arts graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2014.

At New World he has worked with choreographers such as Darshaun Bhuller, Kyle Abraham and performed works by great Jose Limon. After graduating he attended the American Dance Festival in which he was offered his first professional contract with Gaspard & Dancers, after two seasons with Gaspard & Dancers. Rivkins is now living in NYC where he is currently a company member of Syren Modern Dance.

​Rivkins is not only a performer he is also a choreographer and teacher, he has the privilege of teaching at several institutions around the country.  Rivkins is really excited to see what else the future holds for his career.
Kyra McCarty is a teacher, choreographer, and professional dancer of Dallas, TX. She currently serves as rehearsal director and principle dancer for 8&1 Dance Company of Dallas under the directorship of Jill S. Rucci. Kyra began her dance training in her hometown of Oxford, MS. At the age of 13, she relocated to Birmingham, AL to further her dance education at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Upon graduation, Kyra continued her training at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where she received her BFA in Dance and a BS in Math. During the day, she devotes her time to helping individuals reach their financial goals and plan for a successful financial future. The rest of her time is dedicated to caring for her 2 year old daughter and future performer, and teaching dance to children and adults in the Dallas community.
Jasmine Knight is a dance instructor and choreographer in Birmingham, AL. She studied ballet, modern, jazz, African, and hip-hop at Alabama School of Fine Arts as a dancer, and graduated in 2012. Jasmine went on to receive her B.S. in Sports Medicine from Howard University in 2016. Today, her background influences her passion for movement and health and wellness through her teaching style and work within the dance community.
Caci Cole Pritchett began her Classical Ballet training in Atlanta, GA at North Atlanta Dance Academy under the direction of Michael Garrison. Since then she has trained extensively with Nashville Ballet as well as Alonzo King Lines Contemporary Ballet. She received her BFA Degree in Dance from the Alvin Ailey/Fordham BFA Program as an E. Corrigan Scholar and Sr Leadership Awardee with a concentration in Pre-Med studies. 
      Caci’s first International Tour was with the Opera, “ We Shall Not Be Moved” choreographed by Bill T. Jones. She has had the opportunity to work with and perform works by several NYC based choreographers including Ron K. Brown, Laurie Taylor, Maleek Washington, Lloyd Culbreath, and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker with the West Side Story Revival Broadway Lab. She has had the chance to grace a plethora of stages including the Apollo Theatre, Opera Philadelphia, and the The Dutch National Opera.
     In addition to performing, Ms. Pritchett is also a classically trained Violist, Vocalist, and Dance Teaching artist. She has had the pleasure of assisting Horton and Ballet technique at the Ailey School and served as an instructor for The Youth Company at Dancewave, BK ,Williamsburg Movement and Arts Center, and North Atlanta Dance Academy. 
She is currently a freelance artist signed with Bloc Talent Agency NYC. She has had the pleasure of dancing in several commercials and events including; Toyota, Forbes, Stewart Weitzman for Misty Copeland, and the Vogue Fashion CFDA awards.
     Miss Pritchett gives all the glory and gratitude to God. For she knows she ‘can do all things through Christ’ who gives her strength.