Shanelle Amor 

 

 

Shanelle Freeman (also known as Shanelle Amor) is a dynamic force in the world of dance, arts education, and entertainment. Originally from Saint Petersburg, Florida, her creative journey began at the tender age of five, when movement became her first language. Dancing and choreographing around the house and in her elementary school classrooms, Shanelle was drawn to rhythm and expression with an innate curiosity. Her love for dance crystallized after watching “Save the Last Dance” in theaters — an experience that awakened her soul and sparked a lifelong passion. Inspired by the blend of hip-hop and ballet on screen, she turned to her mother with a simple yet profound request: to begin formal dance training. That moment marked the beginning of a transformative path rooted in cultural fusion, emotional depth, and personal discovery.

​

Her formal training commenced with her acceptance into John Hopkins Middle School’s magnet program and the esteemed performing arts dance department. There, Shanelle received classical and folk-dance training that established a strong technical foundation and exposed her to diverse forms of movement storytelling. She blossomed quickly, earning a full scholarship at The Academy of Ballet Arts during her high school years, and graduating from the prestigious Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. Under the mentorship of celebrated educators Suzanne Pomerantzeff and Patricia L. Paige-Parks, she refined her technique and artistic voice — a voice rooted in authenticity, resilience, and reverence for the cultural narratives embedded in dance.

 

Shanelle’s professional career took flight when she was offered a full scholarship to Florida Dance Theatre’s summer intensive, which led to her invitation to join Polk County’s only contemporary ballet company for their 2009 and 2010 seasons. Under the direction of Carol Erkes and Freddie Dejesus, she honed her craft and built a deep appreciation for collaborative performance and professional choreography. Simultaneously, she earned scholarships to the renowned Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts, where she trained in 2009 and 2010 and expanded her artistic versatility. These early opportunities, paired with her studies at St. Petersburg College, deepened her technical skill and emboldened her voice as a young artist of purpose.

​

In the years that followed, Shanelle embraced an eclectic array of training environments, studying at institutions such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, Debbie Reynolds Studio, Millennium Dance Complex-LA, Dance 411 Studios, Gotta Dance Atlanta Studio, VYB Dance Studio, and All-American Dance Factory. These spaces, renowned for shaping many of today’s leading dance innovators, provided fertile ground for Shanelle to fuse soulful choreography with cultural resonance. Her movement — at once bold and introspective — became a vehicle for healing, transformation, and unfiltered storytelling.

​

Known in classrooms and studios across the U.S. as “Coach Freeman,” Shanelle is a trailblazing teaching artist with 17 years of experience working with students ages 3 to 55+ across ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Her pedagogy is grounded in empathy, empowerment, and inclusion — qualities that mirror her personal journey and artistic ethos. With academic credentials that reflect her multifaceted approach, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications (2018) and a Master of Public Administration (2021) from Walden University. These degrees inform her strategic thinking and visionary leadership, allowing her to fuse art with education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.

​

Shanelle is the founder and artistic director of NuGrace Performing Arts Conservatory (NGPAC), which she calls her artistic sanctuary and purpose-driven hub. NGPAC is home to “The G-Squad,” a spirited traveling dance team that embodies excellence, creativity, and community pride. Now entering its second season on September 16, 2025, the conservatory is more than a studio — it is a beacon of hope and cultural enrichment for Gwinnett County. Through immersive training, innovative performance opportunities, and mentorship, NGPAC provides a home for emerging artists to thrive and be seen. It is the manifestation of Shanelle’s belief that art can serve as both mirror and lighthouse — reflecting truth and guiding future generations.

​

Before founding NGPAC, Shanelle brought transformational energy to Baggett Elementary School, where she taught for three years and designed a vibrant dance curriculum from the ground up. As Dance Director, STEAM & Arts Integration Specialist, and Head Coach of the Titan Dance & STEP Team, she created inclusive spaces for students to explore movement, innovation, and self-expression. Her teams flourished under her guidance, participating in competitions and breaking barriers. In 2024, her impact was celebrated across Gwinnett County through the “I Said YES to GCPS” campaign, honoring her dedication to public education and her unique contributions to youth development through the arts.

​

Her commitment to dance education and policy advocacy extends beyond the classroom. In 2024, Shanelle served as Co-Director for K–12 Programs on the Dance Educators of Georgia Society (DEGAS) board, helping shape curriculum and program strategy for arts educators statewide. In July 2025, her dedication was recognized further when she was voted Vice President of DEGAS Inc., a position through which she continues to advance statewide advocacy in affiliation with the National Dance Education Organization. Her voice — articulate, grounded, and unapologetically passionate — has become indispensable in Georgia’s arts policy conversations.

Earlier this year, Shanelle was invited to speak at the Georgian for the Arts Day & Action Summit, where she shared compelling insights on the power of dance education and the urgency of arts advocacy. Her message, steeped in lived experience and scholarly vision, called for radical investment in creative spaces — particularly those that serve underrepresented communities. That same year, her company NGPAC made a powerful debut performance at the Aurora Theatre for Black Art Culture Education Inc.'s Black History Month celebration. “The G-Squad” delivered a program that honored legacy, history, and resilience — further solidifying Shanelle’s reputation as a cultural storyteller and artistic visionary.

​

Outside the realm of education, Shanelle is the founder and CEO of NuGrace Entertainment, a multifaceted creative hub launched in 2022. With decades of experience in the entertainment industry — including appearances across television, film, and theater — she has built a brand rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and mentorship. Shanelle has collaborated with celebrity artists, contributed to major publications, and helped shepherd new talent toward opportunity and confidence. Her entrepreneurship is motivated by a desire to see more artists of color represented in every facet of the creative industry.

​

As a performer and producer, she moves between worlds seamlessly, bringing intention and heart to every project, whether onstage or behind the scenes. Shanelle remains grounded in her purpose — to illuminate, advocate, and inspire. Through NuGrace Entertainment, she mentors aspiring creatives, curates empowering experiences, and builds bridges between artistry and access.

​

Shanelle’s legacy is one of movement and meaning. Whether she’s speaking at a summit, directing a performance, writing curriculum, teaching, or creating, her work reflects a deep commitment to cultural preservation, creative freedom, and educational excellence. She is a visionary leader, an empathetic educator, a fierce advocate — and above all, an artist who believes in the power of community, connection, and collaboration.