Irena Linn

Founding Director (previous Artistic Director of theTennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble & Ignite!)

Irena Linn was 19 and a student of dance legend Mary Wigman when she met Dr. Dorothy Floyd, founder of Dancers Studio, in Berlin, Germany. That alliance was the beginning of a lifelong friendship that would bring Ms. Linn to America and to Dancers Studio — and ultimately to the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble. “In 1966 I left the Boston Conservatory where I was teaching modern dance because Dr. Dorothy Floyd offered me the chance to assist her at Dancers Studio. From the beginning, I knew there was a special idealism in her. I wanted to be a part of her dream of teaching children using the art form of modern dance.” Ms. Linn, an accomplished choreographer, has set dozens of dances on the Ensemble, including Ballet for Modern Dancers, Freedom, Village Waltz, Mountain Songs, Gliding, The Morley Clowns, and Nightdreams.

Irena Linn founded Ignite! powered by Dancers Studio in 2022 after the conclusion of the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble as a way to continue the education of young dancers and artists. Ms. Linn continues to be a pioneer for the arts in East TN and takes pride in bringing and sharing good and quality modern dance through Ignite!.

Toi B. Brown

Artistic Director

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Toi B. Brown began dancing in an after-school dance program. Shortly after finding her passion for dance, her family moved to TN and she danced competitively for the next 10 years, receiving training from Middle Tennessee State University at the Tennessee Governors School for the Arts Program, before receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Georgia. At the University of Georgia, Toi danced alongside Diavolo Dance Theater, Joe Goode Performance Group, and danced under the direction of world-renowned choreographer, Chet Walker. Prior to graduating, she traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica and danced with the Universidad de Costa Rica and became a member of the National Dance Education Organization and Nu Delta Alpha, a National Dance Association Honor Society. After graduating, Toi moved to New York City, NY to attend the Ailey School Summer Intensive based out of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. From NYC she moved to Atlanta, GA and worked as a private school ballet teacher with Studio Go, and danced and toured professionally with the Atlanta Dance Connection. During her time in Atlanta, she also worked on numerous projects as a freelance artist. After making the choice to continue her education, she moved to London, England, UK and received a Master of Arts with merit from London Contemporary Dance School, after dancing and touring internationally with the EDGE Company. During the world pandemic ’COVID-19,’ Toi returned to East TN and started running a small business in the event planning industry. She also has been able to continue sharing her love and passion for education and choreography with the next generation of dancers at the locally renowned, Dancers Studio. Toi reached another career milestone with Dancers Studio by becoming the Artistic Director of Ignite! powered by Dancers Studio, the second-generation youth dance company founded after the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble. When the world changed, Toi was able to take these changes in stride and is excited to see what lies ahead for her career.

Assisting Associate Directors

Henley Prochaska Gwythian Ramsey

Senior Directors

Rose Boder

Neila Hudson

Camille Hunt