Senior Spotlight: Ja'Von Mitchell

Our next Senior Spotlight of Spring 2026 is Ja'Von Mitchell, graduating with a BFA in Dance Performance. 

Growing up in West Dallas, Mitchell first started dancing in church, which he considers key to the spiritual element of his work as a dancer today, and considers culture and community to be the foundations of his art. 

He attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, a magnet school known for its prestigious artistic training and esteemed alumni, such as Erykah Badu and Norah Jones. While at Booker T. Washington, Mitchell performed with the Pilobolus Dance Company and chose to attend SMU upon graduating. 

"I love all of my dance faculty, and they have been imperative to my dance training and have supported me as an artist and as a person in ways for which I will be forever grateful and will always be revered,” Mitchell says.

Ja’Von Mitchell will perform in Meadows’ Senior Dance Showcase.

While at SMU Meadows, he has performed in numerous works, including a solo in “We All Fall Down,” choreographed by Robert Battle, a renowned choreographer and former Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Mitchell also performed in “Esplanade,” a landmark performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in celebration of its 50th-anniversary milestone, honoring one of modern dance's most joyous and influential works.  

This spring, Mitchell will be performing his work, “Coming to America” as part of the annual Senior Dance Showcase. Outside of the dance studio, Mitchell is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Kappa Chapter.

“After graduation, my plans are to continue training and dance in my favorite, dream dance company, Ronald K. Brown's Evidence Dance Company and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company,” Mitchell says. 

We can’t wait to see the incredible work that lies ahead for Ja'Von! To learn more about the SMU Meadows Division of Dance, click here.