MOVE|NYC| Will Present 4th Annual Darius Barnes Award of Excellence at 2026 Gala

MOVE|NYC| Co-Founders Chanel DaSilva and Nigel Campbell and Executive Director Niya Nicholson announce that MOVE|NYC| Young Professionals Program Dancer, Carlos Carrerras from the Bronx, will receive the 4th Annual Darius Barnes Award of Excellence. The Award will be presented at the MOVE|NYC| 2026 Gala “Dreams Fulfilled” on June 10, 2026 at City Winery at Pier 57 in New York City. 

The Award is given each year to a graduating high school senior. Darius Barnes was a New York City Ballet Alum and founding member of MOVE|NYC|, having served on faculty as a dance educator, choreographer, mentor, audition panelist, and ambassador for the organization. The cash award acknowledges his legacy and spirit.

Chanel DaSilva, MOVE|NYC| Co-Founder & CEO of Strategy & New Initiatives, said, “Darius Barnes was an integral part of MOVE |NYC| from the very beginning. He understood, like us, what it felt like to be the only person of color in the room. Darius acted as a sounding board for our visions and dreams for a better future, where dancers from all backgrounds who had talent and grit could feel seen and heard and valued by this field that we love. We are proud to say that Award-winner Carlos Carrerras embodies this same spirit of remarkable talent as a dancer and as a person.”

Award-winner Carlos Carrerras from the Bronx will be attending The Juilliard School. He is a senior at the Professional Performing Arts School with credits including performing in the On Your Feet! first National Broadway Tour, and he was featured in Bad Bunny's “NUEVAYol” Music Video.

Carlos started dancing at the age of six, and he has been a part of MOVE|NYC| Young Professionals Program for the past two years. He said, “I am incredibly honored and humbled to be the 2026 recipient of The Darius Barnes Award of Excellence! This would not have been possible without the outstanding mentorship and guidance that I have received from MOVE|NYC| over these transformative years as a Young Professional.” 

“Though our paths never crossed and I never got to know Darius personally, I am incredibly inspired by his work ethic and artistic excellence,” Carlos continued. “I strongly relate to his versatility and range as a dancer. That same desire to grow across all styles is something I recognize in my own path. This award means absolutely everything to me, and it pushes me to honor his legacy by continuing to grow my artistry, stay focused and support others the way that he did. I am incredibly grateful and dedicated to carrying that same energy forward in all that I do.”

 MOVE|NYC| Nigel Campbell, Co-Founder, Artistic Director & CEO of Programming & Artist Development, said, “Darius Barnes' career was vast, prolific and perhaps most importantly, diverse. He was a gift to the field from New York City Ballet, to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, music videos with Estelle, to performing in and choreographing a myriad of hit Broadway shows. Darius reminded his students often that you aren't just one type of dancer, you are an artist! Our Award recipient Carlos Carrerras represents all that Darius stood for: talent, ambition, diversity, versatility and most importantly, artistic excellence.”

Previous MOVE|NYC| recipients of the Darius Barnes Award of Excellence are Tenzin Niles who currently attends The Juilliard School, Izabella Orozco who currently attends USC Gloria Kaufman School of Dance, and Amanda Goodridge who currently attends Purchase College Conservatory of Dance.

Executive Director Niya Nicholson, said, “MOVE|NYC | is proud to empower the next generation of artists to break boundaries, honor their unique stories, and move the field forward, just like Carlos. There is no better way to shine a light on his artistry than to recognize him with the Darius Barnes Award of Excellence at our “Dreams Fulfilled” Gala. We congratulate Carlos on this well-deserved honor!”