Podcast Episodes

Episode 31: Carleigh Dunbar

by Rachel Caldwell

We are kicking off 2021 with my incredible friend Carleigh Dunbar! Carleigh is an artist-educator based in Jackson, Mississippi. She and I have an engaging conversation surrounding our shared passion for the value of the arts in public education.

Carleigh is part of the dance faculty of Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex (Power APAC) and has been there since 2017. Power APAC is a public arts magnet school providing advanced academics and rigorous arts training to 4th-12th grade students. She also has a variety of experience dancing professionally and teaching in various capacities, including as an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Belhaven University. She is always looking to inspire, engage, and educate through the power of movement, and that is so evident in our conversation today.

We talk about what it’s like coming in as a first-year teacher and the diligence and perseverance that it takes. I love how she explains, even though she had the passion coming in, she had to grow into the position she was given. We chat about what it looks like to create a safe environment and atmosphere for our students, whether virtually or in-person.

Carleigh shares practical wisdom for how we can support arts in public education and encouragement for artists to be patient and present in this season during the pandemic. If you’re a teacher, I hope this conversation is inspiring and encouraging to you! For those who aren’t teachers, I hope it gives you a glimpse into the heart of arts educators and why we believe the arts are so important for our communities and our world.

You can listen to the show HERE, and you can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app (ie. Apple Podcasts, Spotify).  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

About Carleigh:

Carleigh Dunbar is an artist-educator based in Jackson, MS. In 2014, she received her BFA in Dance from Belhaven University and has resided in Jackson for the past 10 years. Passionate about arts in public education, Dunbar joined the dance faculty of Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC) in 2017. Power APAC is a public arts magnet school providing advanced academics and rigorous arts training to 4th-12th grade students. She has also served as the dance specialist for Jackson’s Casey Elementary, a public arts-integrated Model Whole School. 

In addition to her work with Jackson Public Schools, Dunbar has been an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Belhaven University for the past 6 years, teaching technique courses and choreographing for various ensembles. She has taught dance in private studios and schools, as well as fitness classes throughout the Jackson-Metro Area. As a freelance performer and choreographer, she can be seen performing with Front Porch Dance and Intersect Dance Company. 

She is always looking to inspire, engage, and educate through the power of movement.

Links from the Show:

Connect with Carleigh:

Email: dunbarcarleigh@gmail.com