Douglas Baldeo, a native of Mount Vernon, New York, is an 12-year-old 6th grade home-schooled student. He is a current recipient of The New York Community Van Lier Fellowship Scholarship at Ballet Hispanico and was a principal cast member of the award-winning Broadway Musical, "Kinky Boots". Following his run in "Kinky Boots", he was cast as a vacation swing for "Motown the Musical" on tour. In it, he covers the role of Young Berry Gordy, Young Stevie Wonder, and Young Michael Jackson. In April 2016, he joined "Color Purple" star Cynthia Erivo, along with Josh Colley ("Les Miserables") and Lucas Provado ("School of Rock") to perform at The MisCast Gala, where he played the role of Peggy Schuyler from the Broadway Musical "Hamilton".
Douglas' favorite subjects are Language Arts and Science. His favorite sports include tennis and volleyball. He loves drawing, painting, and creating art. His passion, however, is dance. Douglas has enjoyed entertaining his family and friends since he was baby. His love of professional dance and training was first developed at ESOTA when he joined them in February of 2011. Since then, he has studied with Dream Makers Performing Arts, Broadway Dance Center, and Royalenova, under the direction of his mentor, George Eleazer III. Douglas has had several performances at various venues and competitions. His credits includes an appearance as a featured dancer in "Cinderella and the Prince Who Slayed the Magic Dragon" performed at Lincoln Center. He was a featured dancer at a number of events, including the Ecumenical Service for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; The Arts on Third Annual Event in Mount Vernon, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, where he was a back-up dancer for Mariah Carey and The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Douglas has been featured in various publication, and he has also made a name for himself at various dance competitions. In May of 2013, he was crowned "American Young Dancer of the Year" at the American Dance Awards, and placed 1st out of 50 entries in the junior division. At the Groove Dance Competition, his solo pieces placed 1st, 2nd, and 6th place out of 100 junior entries. He received special recognition from the judges and was given the "Performance Beyond Your Years Award". At the National Starbound Competition, one of the leading and most celebrated dance competitions for children in the United States, he was crowned Mr. Junior Starbound for 2013 and 2014. In 2015, he was the winner at Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, Star Systems, and Sheer Talent Competition. He is the current Junior Title holder of Sheer Talent Competition for the 2015-2016 season.
In addition to his dancing career, Douglas has been recognized for his achievements by various institutions. In 2016, he received the IED Rising Star Award, a Citation from State Senator John Sampson and "The Under 40 Achievement Award" from the Union of Jamaica Alumni Association (UJAA). Douglas studies a variety of dance disciplines, including Ballet, Flamenco, Tap, Jazz, African, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, Gymnastics and Acro.
Douglas' dream of performing on Broadway has become a reality, but hisultimate ambition is to open a dance school that in his own words: "Will be an institution in the likes of Alvin Ailey Dance School so that even after he dies, the school will continue to live."
He is soaring and his family diligently supports all his efforts.
Last Updated: May 31, 2021
