“My fifth grade teacher told me I’m too big to dance,” says Deidra Grace. “I am a dancer because people told me I couldn’t be.”

Deidra is an actress, singer and dancer. Her most recent performance was in a production of Ragtime in Coconut Grove. She travels between Miami and New York.

I shot this photo of Trenard Mobley, my best friend and partner in crime, over a year ago. He was my first ever dance partner, we danced many a duets together. He passed away recently, today is his birthday.

Trenard danced because it was his calling. I never met anyone who was so passionate about his craft. I know he's in heaven dancing full out.

"I dance because it's a part of who I am, it's an emotional release," Michael Francis McBride.

Michael is a company member with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The company was in Miami in Febraury 2013 to perform at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

"Before I had even seen dance, I knew that is what I wanted to do. I didn't know exactly what is what was, but I've always been a mover,"  Brittanie Brown, Abraham.In.Motion company member.

The New York-based dance company was in Miami to perform , Live! The Realest MC, at the Miami Beach Colony Theater.

"I dance because it allows me to be the fullest possible me on all levels," Rena Butler, Abraham.In.Motion company member.

The New York-based dance company was in Miami to perform , Live! The Realest MC, at the Miami Beach Colony Theater.

"I am a dancer because it's what I love more than anything else in this world," Addison Reese, Abraham.In.Motion company member.

The New York-based dance company was in Miami to perform , Live! The Realest MC, at the Miami Beach Colony Theater.

Quoting the Legendary Alvin Ailey, Tyrell Rolle says, "I believe that dance is for the people and should be given back to the people."

"Dance is the art that teaches discipline, etiquette, patience and perseverance. These attributes will help you achieve any goal because it starts with awareness of self," Charity Metzger, dancer at Garth Fagan Dance, Rochester, NY

Charity is a graduate of New World School of the Arts in downtown Miami.

"No other love could ever convey what I cannot express through mere words, this is why I dance," Debra Bazile, Miami freelance dancer and former member of Dallas Black Dance Theater II.

"I won't shut up and shut down," said Ronderrick Mitchell, a New World School of the Arts graduate. "I consider myself a representative for a group that is afraid to speak. I'm HIV-positive, I'm a black man, I'm gay."

Brittany Williams is a dance major at the University of South Florida. She shared one of her favorite dance quotes: “The dance is strong magic. The dance is a spirit. It turns the body to liquid steel. It makes it vibrate like a guitar. The body can fly without wings. It can sing without voice. The dance is strong magic. The dance is life.” — Pearl Primus

"I dance to express and share my life. I love this art form dance because it allows people to have a chance to actually experience portions of my life. Dance is my life Dance is my exit," Tyrell Rolle, former So You Think You Can Dance contestant. Born in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood, Tyrell has danced with Alvin Ailey II and the Lion King in Vegas.