Aliyah Spears is a dance educator and performer from Saginaw, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a certification in Dance Education from Oakland University, where she performed with Oakland Dance Theatre and Repertory Dance Company, collaborating with and performing works by a diverse range of choreographers and artists. During her time at Oakland University, Aliyah was honored as a recipient of the 2025 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and, upon graduating in 2026, received the Dance Department’s Matilda Award for Distinguished Dance Student.

Beyond her collegiate training, Aliyah completed a Student Apprenticeship with the professional dance company Take Root and serves as the Undergraduate Representative for the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), reflecting her commitment to continued artistic and educational growth.

Aliyah’s passion for teaching began at the age of 13 as a student teacher at her home dance studio. She continued to develop as both a dancer and educator at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy, where she trained in the dance program from sixth through twelfth grade while serving as a student teacher for the middle school dance department. She later began teaching independently as a teenager, and these early experiences inspired her to pursue a career in dance education.

Aliyah is also a faculty member at Detroit Metropolitan Dance (formerly Eisenhower Dance Detroit) and a Pilates instructor, continuing to share her passion for movement education. She strives to create engaging learning environments where students build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, creativity, and artistry. She is excited to join the Flint School of Performing Arts faculty and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers.