Ms. Candanisha "Candy" Bishop

From the Desk of the Director:

"Vertical Essence Dance Company is based on a vision and hopes of our future youth doing something positive with their lives. While growing up, there was not much for me to do within my community and most of my peers were succumbed to the statistics of teenage pregnancy, felons or another number to the death toll in Milwaukee.  The death toll continues to rise and the ages of the victims have begun to get lower in the city of Milwaukee. I wanted to do something that could help my future generation; therefore I took my passion and developed it into a doorway to guide others through."

The art of dance has become a stress relief and escape from the streets.  Many programs are closing and more children are having a hard time finding positive and safe environments to become involved in; however, I noticed no matter where I went, children were dancing.  If dance kept the children occupied in groups, why couldn't it be something that occupied a community or an entire city? This rhetorical question birthed Vertical Essence Dance Company. 

This Company is like a child to me, it's my pride and joy, yet gives me a major headache. But I love dealing with it, and couldn't see myself without it." :-)

I decided to make this company at an affordable price because I am aware of the financial struggles of several communities and I have a vision of every child having the same opportunity regardless of their financial hardships. 

"I do not run my business as a scheme  to get money.  I run this business to get the enjoyment of seeing my future youth prosper into young men and women.  Although I wish I could make the entire program free, I still have to pay for the rental fees to uphold the business; therefore, there is a price to pay."

Ms. Candy is currently a graduate of Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical College and has obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre and the Performing Arts. She also has a Masters in Education, with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. She is an English Educator  in Milwaukee. WI, where she also teaches dance as an extracurricular activity and coaches volleyball. She has 15 years experience in Dance Education and Theatre and the Performing Arts.  She is a graduate of Saint Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee, WI.  She is a former actress, singer and dancer in the annual Black History Program, “We are the Drum.” She is also a former dancer and Hip-Hop Instructor of Deva Houston’s ‘Art in Motion School of Dance.’  Ms. Bishop continues to “Bridge the Community” in the city of Milwaukee, while making Vertical Essence Dance Company not only a School of Dance and Performing Arts, but also an after school safe-place for the youth in the city of Milwaukee.