Shonica Gooden

Shonica Gooden is a passionate dancer from Atlanta, Georgia. While growing up in Atlanta, she trained at DanceMakers of Atlanta and Dekalb School of the Arts (Class of 2007). In the summer of 2005, Shonica attended NYCDA’s Summer Intensive, thanks to the Tim Redovian Scholarship fund. She was highly inspired by the teachers and the artistic experience. This inspirational experience made Shonica realize that she wanted to definitely pursue a professional career in dance.

Upon graduating from high school, Shonica went on to train in dance on a collegiate level.  She is a 2011 graduate of Point Park University, where she received her BFA degree in Dance. Not only did Shonica graduate magna cum laude, but she also had the privilege of receiving the 2010 Rising Star Award and the 2011 Oustanding Senior Award.

Throughout her collegiate career, Shonica performed works by choreographers such as Martha Graham, David Parsons, Bill T. Jones, Robert Battle, Daniel Ezralow, and Kiesha Lalama. At Point Park, Shonica’s focus of her training was based on becoming a concert dancer. However, once Senior year came around, she decided to explore every side of the dance world. This attitude helped Shonica book her first major professional job, the National Tour of Bring It On: The Musical.

On August 1st, 2012, Shonica made her Broadway debut with Bring It On: The Musical. In 2013, Shonica became apart of the Original Broadway cast of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She also performed in the Off-Broadway show of “Piece of my Heart” playing at the Signature Theatre in New York.

Whenever she is not performing, you can find Shonica going to the movies, shopping, praying, and having kickbacks with her awesome friends. She is moving forward into her future and never looking back. Her favorite saying is “Everything happens for a reason.” Believing in this saying reminds her that there’s always something to gain and nothing to lose, sometimes its knowledge and sometimes it’s an actual accomplishment.”