About Akademy Funktion Dance Collective

Akademy Funktion Dance Collective LLC aims to enhance and encourage kreative expression among all ages who have a passion for all genres of dance, music and performing. We believe that mastering the skill of performing provides unique and foundational life skills to all, by building self-konfident, expressive, diligent, and skilled dancers.

We provide small intimate klasses that allow for more hands-on teaching and koaching to strengthen dancers kore skills while maintaining a dance kommunity that supports personal achievements and growth. More importantly, we represent diversity and leadership and proudly scream our motto, Kommit, Lead, Soar.

Owner|Director, Kandice Funderburk-Alves aka “Koach”

Kandice Funderburk-Alves was born in Miami, Florida, where she attended Charles Drew Elementary Magnet school. At the early age of four, she developed an interest in dance and love for music, which prompted her family to enroll her in classical ballet classes.  She continued to master her dance skills by participating in the Charles Drew dance magnet program as well as attending the Classical School of Ballet, located in Kansas City, Missouri.

By the age of 13, she was introduced to different dance styles such as Hip-Hop and Band Dancing back home in Miami Florida. She continued these dance genres throughout her entire high school years as Captain of 3 different "Auxiliary Dance" teams.

At the age of 16, Kandice moved to Maryland with her family and attended Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. However, once studying at The Dance Institute of Washington(DIW) under the late great Fabian Barnes, her resume began to blossom. While she continued her training in Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary at DIW, Kandice also made way for her talent in Hip-Hop to be shown behind a few up and coming artists and dance troupes in the DMV area.  

She attended Howard Community College and Coppin State University to continue her dance education while being featured in two Arts Collective Dance Company showcases at Howard Community College.

After developing an extensive dance resume with her experience and performance record, Kandice started her very own up and coming Dance Company in Ellicott City, Maryland known as Akademy Funktion in 2014. The company is based off several dance genres, and diverse choreography. In January 2019, Akademy Funktion relocated to Catonsville and opened the doors to DMV to provide a dance home for current kompany members and more to come.

Now as the Owner and Director of Akademy Funktion Dance Collective LLC, Kandice Funderburk-Alves looks forward to incorporating her knowledge by leading and mentoring dancers through creative movement and exploration.  She’s best known for her creative choreography that sets a standard for anyone who seeks the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone.