Our Team

Ami Dowden-Fant | Owner & Artistic Director

AMI DOWDEN-FANT was born in Richmond, Virginia, and started her exploration of dance at the tender age of four. Since then, she has trained in many dance styles including Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. While studying for her BFA in Dance & Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University, she worked alongside numerous artists: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Tania Isaac, Daniel Gwitzman, Robert Battle, and more.

Over the years, Miss Ami has been awarded numerous recognitions, such as the Outstanding Choreographer and Performer Award from VCU, and her choreography has been presented at venues like the National American College Dance Festival Gala and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Miss Ami Dowden-Fant has been instilled with the gift to

educate and provide young aspiring dancers with a well-rounded education. That’s why today she serves as

Artistic Director of River City.

Danielle King | Director's Assistant for Performance Company

DANIELLE KING began training at the age of six. In her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, she attended classes at the Richmond City Dance Program. Later, at the age of nine, she joined their dance company, The Richmond City Dance Troupe. Miss Danielle has trained in various styles of movement: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, African and Pointe.

She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and received her BFA in Dance & Choreography. While in college, she studied with professionals like Robert Battle, Gerri Houlihan, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Daniel Gwirtzman, and others. She also spent time performing at various festivals and competitions.

Now, Miss Danielle teaches dance at various studios, churches, and the Boys and Girls Club. She has a passion for dance and shares that enthusiasm as a dance educator.

Xtina Suzanne Hamilton | Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater, Adult Ballet

Xtina Suzanne Hamilton has been teaching professionally for 20+ years in Richmond and up and down the East Coast. She has dedicated her entire career to facilitating the creative growth of all ages of dancers and is extremely proud of her many former students that have chosen to become Professional Dance Educators as well. She received much acclaim including a

MUSE Award nomination from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, was listed as one of the top 25 most influential people in the Arts scene in Richmond, and one of the ‘101 Things that make Richmond cool” by RVA magazine. She believes Dance should be accessible to all people and more importantly that ANYONE can become a brilliant dancer. As a Choreographer Christina has worked with thousands of dancers and is always invigorated to work with new artists and create unique pieces incorporating the strengths and aspirations of each person into their work. The

art form of Dance is ever evolving, and throughout the years she has guided countless dancers to Regional and National Competitive Titles.

Deborah T. Dowden | Interim Event Coordinator

Deborah T. Dowden a native of Richmond, VA. Has been a support of River City from the beginning, Ms. Dowden a retired Postal Worker of 35 years now is serving a President of the USPS UNION and support of River City keepsakes moments.

Michele Turlington | Studio Manager

Michele Turlington was born and raised in Erie, PA where

she was initially introduced to dancing. She danced for many years during elementary and middle school and took a couple classes while in college. After graduating from Slippery Rock University, she moved to Newport News, VA where she started her teaching career and eventually moved to Richmond where she currently resides with her husband and two children.

Michele has been a member of the River City team for ten

years and both her and her children are current students. Previously Michele was a middle school teacher and clinic assistant and currently she is a travel agent along with

being River City’s Studio Manager.