Her mother, a choreographer, started her in dance at the age of five. She made her stage debut in The Nutcracker, and later danced with the Omaha Ballet. She began acting in local productions of The King and I and The Little Match Girl. She attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and there developed an interest in African dance. She won a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and performed with them professionally. By: Van