Movez Dance Academy’s End-of-Season Recital at Timber Creek High School

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 31, 2025)

Timber Creek High School, home of the Wolves, stands in the heart of East Orlando.

Inside the state-of-the-art auditorium at Timber Creek High School, the energy was contagious as the final bow dropped on Movez Dance Academy’s 2025 season.

The event brought together families, friends, and a supportive community to celebrate over 50 young dancers in a range of styles from classical ballet to hip-hop, musical theatre to contemporary in a show that pulsed with emotion and pride.

Founded in 2016, Movez Dance Academy has grown into a cornerstone for youth mentorship and creative expression in Orlando. The Sherlock Sisters, both former competitive dancers, have worked to create a training space where discipline, teamwork, and personal growth are emphasized as much as performance.

"This recital isn’t just a performance, it’s proof,” said director Andrea Sherlock. “Proof that hard work, commitment, and community can transform talent into something extraordinary.”

The annual end-of-year recital, staged Saturday midday, served not just as a performance, but as a testament to the growth, resilience, and brilliance cultivated under the guidance of academy choreographers Ashley and Racquel Sherlock, known to many in the Orlando dance community simply as the Sherlock Sisters.

A montage shown during the intermission highlights how the dancers discover their voice through movement; even without words, their bodies convey the story. Students often arrive feeling shy and uncertain about themselves, but by the time recital season comes around, they shine.

Saturday's recital opened with a high-energy musical theatre number from the intermediate group and progressed through tightly choreographed ballet routines and emotionally charged lyrical pieces. A highlight was the hip-hop ensemble whose synchronized isolations and footwork earned deafening applause from the packed auditorium.

Among the many standout performers was 10-year-old Brielle Fortis, a seasoned member of the Movez Dance competition team. Brielle dazzled in nine numbers, including a contemporary solo, a hip-hop crew routine, and a musical theatre piece bursting with personality and stage presence. Her solo displayed quiet intensity with dynamic grace, a moment that left the audience awed.

“She’s absolutely dedicated,” said her mother, Chastity Jackson, holding a rack of over a dozen costumes backstage. “She lives and breathes this, the choreography, the classes, the leadership she’s now showing with the littlest dancers, including her sister Jollie. It’s just beautiful to witness.”

Indeed, Brielle’s reach went beyond her solo. This season, she also served as a student teacher to Movez’s youngest dancers, the “baby princess ballerinas,” helping the toddlers prepare for their debut on stage. “They look up to her,” said Sherlock. “She’s not just a great dancer, she’s a leader.”

In an interview, Brielle said she remembers being one of the youngest in the room. “I tell the baby ballerinas to breathe and just smile when they get scared,” she said. “That’s what my teachers told me. And now, I get to help them.”

Brielle, who trains up to sometimes five days a week, says her goal is to one day become a professional choreographer and studio owner. “I want to help other kids love dance the way I do,” she said. She’s already making moves toward that dream.

“Dance gives kids something powerful — a voice, a place to shine,” Jackson said. “I’m grateful Brielle has found hers here.”

Behind the curtains, camaraderie and nerves were palpable as dancers pinned hairpieces, zipped costumes, and gave last-minute pep talks. “It’s like a big family here,” said Chastity Jackson. “They cheer for each other just as hard as they perform. That’s rare.”

For the finale, dancers from every level returned to the stage, from the tiny ballerinas guided by Brielle to the competition team preparing for the intensive dance program. Set to a medley of pop and soul tracks, the closing number was choreographed by the Sherlock Sisters and layered with intricate formations and moments of unison that echoed the spirit of the academy: collective, bold, and unstoppable.

Movez Dance Academy is now enrolling for its summer intensives and fall session, which include technique, choreography, and performance training. Behind-the-scenes footage and rehearsal clips are frequently posted on the academy’s Instagram, where a clip of Brielle’s solo has already gained dozens of shares.

Later this month, full performance videos including the crowd-favorite hip-hop number and finale will be available on the Movez Dance Team’s revamped website.

As the stage lights dimmed and families gathered for photos, there was a lingering feeling in the air, one of pride, momentum, and something much deeper than applause. This wasn’t just a recital; it was a celebration of every stumble, step, and breakthrough.