Help Us Build BEATchitect: A Legacy Studio Where Futures Are Forged

BEATchitect Dance Complex isn’t just a studio — it’s a launchpad for LEGACY.

With over 35 years in the entertainment industry — from the NBA to Broadway shows to rocking the stages in Tokyo — I’ve performed, choreographed, and poured everything I have into mentoring and training the next generation of elite performers who have danced for the Forsythe Company in Germany and the Lyon Opera Ballet in France, and dancers who now tour the world with Beyoncé, Janet, Shakira, Cher, Wicked, and more. From pointe shoes to hip hop, I've helped build futures on foundation, fire, and fierce technique.

Now, it’s time to give BEATchitect a permanent home.

Why It Matters

Detroit has always been a creative powerhouse, but it’s lacked a true, consistent training center for dancers who want to go pro — especially once they’ve aged out of standard dance studios with competition lines, and singular-genre-based college dance programs that don't always prep them for a multi-hyphenate professional dance career. BEATchitect Dance Complex fills that gap.

We’re building more than just industry-ready dancers — we’re building an artistic, health and wellness, creative sanctuary for the entire Detroit community. In addition to elite pre-professional training, BEATchitect will serve as a cultural anchor offering accessible movement and wellness programming for Detroit.

This is serious training meets soulful community — all under one roof.

What Your Donation Supports

$250,000 will:

• Acquire a structurally sound Downtown Detroit building

• Professionally build it out for serious dance training

• Equip the space with sprung floors, mirrors, lighting, and sound

• Launch BEATchitect as a permanent headquarters for Detroit’s next generation

• Open strong and sustainable from day one

Every dollar builds a legacy. Let’s do this — for Detroit, for the future, and for the culture!

About the Founder – Nicole "Niki Rochelle" Burnett

With 35+ years in the professional entertainment industry, Nicole "Niki Rochelle" Burnett is:

✅ First African American woman on the first Detroit Pistons Automotion Dance Team and part of NBA Black History (Co-Captain & Co-Choreographer) and Co-Choreographer for the WNBA Shockwave Teen Dance Team

✅ National Salsa Champion

✅ Multi-season Judge for Lifetime TV’s #1 Show Dance Moms

✅ Star of the Tony Award-winning national tour of Broadway’s Chicago: The Musical (as Annie & Velma Kelly)

✅ Tedra in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham for Detroit Public Theatre

✅ Performer and signed artist for Rock the Bells Music Group/Warner Bros. with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer LL Cool J, Grammy Award-winning Teddy Riley & Blackstreet, and choreographer for the late Aaliyah

✅ Pro Certified Makeup Artist, Movement Coach, and Creative Director to elite talent

Proven Track Record of Excellence

I’ve mentored and been a significant part of the training village for dancers who now tour with the biggest icons in the world, including:

Darius "Dario" Boatner

Janet Jackson Tour, Co-Choreographer

Mariya Calhoun

Shakira Tour

Trinity Sanders

Beyoncé’s Renaissance +

Cowboy Carter Tours

DuJuan "DJ" Smart

Cher + Wicked National Tours

Michael Walters

Forsythe Company (Germany),

Lyon Opera Ballet (France)

They’ve danced on global stages… but they all started right here. Under my guidance, with BEATchitect’s blueprint.

️Testimonials from the Ones Who Know

“You are a literal walking blueprint… I’m getting the actual ‘tea’ from the teapot!”

— Aisha Bellamy, dancer post-audition coaching session

“These are YOUR KIDS too. You helped trained them. You believed in them, and I am so proud to share my kid with you.”

— Ingrid Boatner, mother of Darius (Janet Jackson tour)

“Thank you for seeing my daughter when others didn’t. Now she’s shining.”

— Kristen Lenhart-Gilbert, Kadence’s mom

“You took Londyn from being neglected and not confident the previous season to placing TOP THREE OVERALL this season under your direction. What you've done for her is nothing short of amazing.”

— Cricket Colby, Londyn's mom

We’ve Built Futures on This. Let’s Build the Foundation.



Now we need YOUR help to make this legacy permanent.

Donate today. Share with your network. Help us change lives.

BEATchitect Dance Complex – Where Legends Are Built.

This is how I give it back. Let’s build it together.