Erykah Badu in a DeVore Dance T-shirt on 106 and Park

Carolyn DeVore

For an astounding 22 years, Carolyn DeVore, has been a teacher for the dance program at Cardozo, as well as a dean for more than 18 years. She was appointed as Head Dean in 2006. Formerly a Cardozo student she graduate of 1971, and never thought about teaching here, but admits that she loves it. After completing her studies at Brooklyn College she received her BS degree in dance and secondary education. She also recieved her masters degree in Special Education from Adelphi University. Previously teaching at Andrew Jackson H.S. as a dance instructor, DeVore had transferred to Cardozo to fulfill its teacher minority quota, which Jackson had already satisfied. “This was a very heartbreaking experience for me as well as my students that I had to leave behind. I was extremely community orientated and taught in the community where I grew up. To this day I still own and operate a business in that community.” Since 1991, DeVore has managed her own dance studio, DeVore Dance Center Inc., in Hollis, NY where she teaches tap, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and African dance. In the past, DeVore has also had her share of celebrities as dance students. She gave dancing lessons to both famous singers and actresses, Ashanti and Raven Simone as youth attending Bernice Johnson. Professional basketball players in the NBA and Cardozo alumnus, Royal Ivey and Rafer Alston were also her dance students. Last summer, a hip-hop workshop in Manhattan was held by Devore along with her hip-hop dancer Gizzy to coach Brad Pitt. She then started teaching Pitt’s kids African dance. Over the years not only has DeVore made waves in the dancing industry but she has also displayed character that connects with the faculty and students of Cardozo. Mona Taradash, longtime friend of DeVore and phys. ed. teacher said, “Through the years we’ve become much closer and better friends, sharing many emotional ties to Cardozo. She’s always there for me as a friend and professionally.” Senior, Nicole Hooks added, “She has always inspired me to do the right things so I would be successful in life. She’s an amazing person to hang out with.” As a student, DeVore was known for her active role in Cardozo’s extracurricular activies. “I enjoyed the endless rehearsals for the fabulous shows we produced, being a member of the BSU, and being an officer in the student government. Cardozo was so much fun and never boring. There was always something to do.” She concludes, “Cardozo is a wonderful place to work, a mosaic of different cultures and creative people working towark one common goal, our youth.