FOLLOW CALVIN

Born in Georgia and raised in a military family, Calvin’s early years were shaped by constant movement across US Army bases.

At age six, after his parents’ separation he, his mother and younger brother, settled in Tampa Bay, Florida, where his grandmother— a lover of the arts— introduced him to the transformative power of cultural expression.

A self-taught pianist and intrigued by music and movement, Calvin’s passion for the arts flourished when his mother enrolled him in The Chocolate Nutcracker, his first exposure to dance. It was there that he discovered the rhythms of West Africa, jazz, and hip-hop dance, sparking his lifelong commitment to the art form.

At 14, Calvin began studying ballet at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School.

A “very late bloomer” in classical ballet, he faced both physical and mental challenges as he navigated the demanding discipline. But determination guided his journey.

Within two years, Calvin stood out as a finalist in the Youth America Grand Prix, America’s premier ballet competition. This achievement earned him a full scholarship to the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York City, marking the beginning of his ascent to one of the most renowned stages in the world. —READ MORE