Davian (DJ) Robinson
Dancer, Choreographer, Motivational Speaker, Massage Therapist, and former Paralympic Athlete
Education: BA in Dance, UNC Charlotte (2020)
BS in Exercise Science, UNC Charlotte (2020)
Hometown: Hickory, NC
Davian Robinson is a multifaceted creator working in Charlotte, whose goal in creating is to “dismantle barriers and raise up the oppressed dancer who is disabled, who also desires to express themselves through physical movement.”
One of the ways he is working to bridge the gap is his Sensory Beyond Sight initiative,through which he holds workshops and performs across the country. These workshops invite participants to experience movement without the use of their sight. The work he has done through Sensory Beyond Sight has led to Davian speaking and sharing choreography at events such as the Alexander Technique national conference at Columbia University in New York, NY, Orsolina 28 and The Palace of Venaria in Italy, and Loose Leaves Showcase in Charlotte.
Davian has also been collaborating with ShaLeigh Dance Works since 2019 to co-direct an immersive and inclusive performance format, which does not solicit the viewer’s sight, but rather all their other senses. This partnership led to a project called enVISION: Sensory Beyond Sight, which premiered at American Dance Festival‘s 2022 open premiere.
Along with Davian’s dance projects and motivational speaking about inclusivity in the dance community, he is also a licensed massage therapist and a cycling instructor and holds a USA Paralympic National Title for the 1-kilometer Time Trial in cycling.
Before his amazing career, Davian (also known as DJ) was a student at UNC Charlotte. He said his time in the Dance Department was defined by excitement, curiosity, growth, and learning. These experiences culminated in deeper self-expression, increased confidence, and a greater appreciation for his own identity and how dance fosters empathy and inclusion.
“I discovered that dance is not only an art form but also a bridge to understanding and connection,” he says. “A multitude of beautiful, compassionate, and talented dance peers helped bring my experience to life – making it not only accessible, but deeply enriching. Their support and collaboration were essential to my development as an artist and human being.”
DJ also mentioned that one of the most impactful moments came in his first Vintage Jazz dance class with retired professor Karen Hubbard. At the time, he was only a dance minor, and he was eager to tap into his kinesthetic memory from earlier childhood training. He quickly realized that he had much to relearn.
“What stood out most was that Karen didn’t tell me ‘no’—she simply asked ‘how?’ That one word affirmed my presence and made me feel welcomed, valued, and excited for the journey ahead. Being embraced by the UNC Charlotte dance family – open minds, open hearts – was a defining experience.”
Another pivotal influence from his time in the Department of Dance was the mentorship received from his peers. Their encouragement and example pushed him to grow in technique and artistry, while also teaching him resilience, patience, and the importance of self-compassion. He said that they showed him the power of trying new things, even when met with uncertainty or challenge.
Finally, DJ says that the department taught him the value of community, self-advocacy, and the power of using his voice. He said, “I learned that challenging the norm and asserting my needs isn’t resistance – it’s part of cultivating a more meaningful and inclusive experience for everyone. I came to understand that I could perform, take critique, be challenged, and choreograph meaningful work using my body as a canvas – and my non-visual perspective as a creative lens to bring stories to life.”
Check out DJ’s website here.