Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Reba began her formal dance training at the age of 10 at Charleston County School of the Arts, where she spent seven years studying ballet and modern dance techniques. After graduating from the Charleston County School of the Arts in 2006, Reba was accepted into Winthrop University where she was double-majored in dance and business administration. She graduated from Winthrop University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Following graduation, Reba has spent time working in accounting, and creating and performing dance work. In 2019, Reba received a Masters degree in Arts Administration from Winthrop University.
Reba has worked with Caroline Calouche & Co., Gaspard & Dancers, Moving Spirits, Patabamba, and other Charlotte artists. Reba was a company member of the performance art group, Triptych Collective for 4 years creating works that were often performed in nontraditional dance spaces to live music and/or live visuals. The group performed work in various venues in Charlotte and Rock Hill. Her work has been performed in a variety of spaces in the Charlotte area from bars to street corners. Reba also has directed and choreographed dance short films including a film that was featured in the 2019 Women's Showcase event.
Along with dance, Reba has been an avid martial art practitioner. She studied Shaolin Kempo Karate for 14 years and attained the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt. For the last 9 years she has has been practicing capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art that combines martial arts, music, dance, acrobatics and other elements of Brazilian culture. Not only has capoeira allowed opportunities to travel the United States but it has also helped her increase her movement vocabulary to a style that is athletic and grounded.
Currently, Reba is a contributing member of Goodyear Arts, an artist-led collective, nonprofit residency and event program putting art in underused, unconventional spaces. She also teaches dance and capoeira to youth and adults in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Outside of teaching and working, Reba believes in giving and serving others. She volunteers teaching capoeira at various organizations in Charlotte. Through the American Capoeira Foundation’s Queen City GINGA Project, she has had opportunities teaching capoeira with several after school programs in Charlotte and surrounding areas. In 2019, she started a fundraising initiative called Got 5, Give 5, which uses social entrepreneurship techniques to helps those in need.
For Reba, movement is an art form that allows for infinite creativity and exploration with body and mind and she hopes that she can share this message with others.
Curriculum Vitae and references can be provided upon request.
Connect 843.324.1948 | reba.bowens@gmail.com