|
SC Jewel Awardees 2026
|
SC Jewel Awardees
Friday, March 27, 2026
CAROLINE MACK-HILL - MISS BLACK USA 1997
Caroline Mack is a native of Elliott, South Carolina, and a graduate of Bishopville High School. She holds a Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees from Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, respectively. She has over twenty years of dance training in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and African Dance. Caroline has served as Artistic Director and Choreographer of the CHAMPS Program, Greensboro, North Carolina and Arts Arising, Bishopville, SC; President and Choreographer of the Converse College Dance Team, Spartanburg,
SC; and served on the teaching staff of the Freed School of Performing Arts, Sumter, SC. She has traveled and performed all over the United States, including New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As an accomplished vocalist, Caroline has traveled extensively to perform with some of the country's best opera companies. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the Howard University “Young Leader of the Year” award and the highest honor awarded to a civilian in the state of South Carolina, the Order of the Palmetto. She has been named to Who's Who in
American Business.
As Miss Black USA 1997 and 1998, Caroline was a national spokesperson for
the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Cancer Society. She continues to work closely with both organizations. In 1998, she sponsored the first annual “Caroline Mack Legacy of
Love” walk-a-thon and banquet to benefit the mentally and physically disabled citizens in Lee County. Caroline has modeled for such designers as Yassi Hodges of College Park, Maryland, and fashion pioneers such as John Blassingame. Caroline was named the 2025 District Teacher of the Year for Clarendon County School District, where she teaches chorus at Scott’s Branch Middle High School. She is a member of Dance Teacher International (DTI), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association of Teachers and Singers, the National Council of Negro Women, the SC Music Educators Association (SCMEA), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is married to Anthriest Hill, Jr., and they have one son, Clark.
Caroline Mack is a native of Elliott, South Carolina, and a graduate of Bishopville High School. She holds a Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees from Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, respectively. She has over twenty years of dance training in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and African Dance. Caroline has served as Artistic Director and Choreographer of the CHAMPS Program, Greensboro, North Carolina and Arts Arising, Bishopville, SC; President and Choreographer of the Converse College Dance Team, Spartanburg,
SC; and served on the teaching staff of the Freed School of Performing Arts, Sumter, SC. She has traveled and performed all over the United States, including New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As an accomplished vocalist, Caroline has traveled extensively to perform with some of the country's best opera companies. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the Howard University “Young Leader of the Year” award and the highest honor awarded to a civilian in the state of South Carolina, the Order of the Palmetto. She has been named to Who's Who in
American Business.
As Miss Black USA 1997 and 1998, Caroline was a national spokesperson for
the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Cancer Society. She continues to work closely with both organizations. In 1998, she sponsored the first annual “Caroline Mack Legacy of
Love” walk-a-thon and banquet to benefit the mentally and physically disabled citizens in Lee County. Caroline has modeled for such designers as Yassi Hodges of College Park, Maryland, and fashion pioneers such as John Blassingame. Caroline was named the 2025 District Teacher of the Year for Clarendon County School District, where she teaches chorus at Scott’s Branch Middle High School. She is a member of Dance Teacher International (DTI), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association of Teachers and Singers, the National Council of Negro Women, the SC Music Educators Association (SCMEA), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is married to Anthriest Hill, Jr., and they have one son, Clark.
Sylvia Dansby Williams is a versatile performing artist whose career spans the United States and Germany as a principal dancer, choreographer, and vocalist. A former soloist and principal with
the Columbia City Ballet for over twelve years, Sylvia’s extensive repertoire includes iconic roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Black Swan, and the Red Maiden in Dracula. Her elite training includes scholarships to the Dance Theatre of Harlem and studies with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Boston Ballet, and the Frankfurt Ballet. Sylvia's dance journey began at age five in Columbia, SC, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance under Donna Lewis and at the Dee Crump School of Dance. During her time as a senior member of the Columbia City Ballet, she also became a founding member of the Eboni Dance Theatre of Columbia. Her versatile background later led her into musical theater, where she served as dance captain and performer for Busch Gardens Williamsburg's award-winning production, "ROCKIN THE BOAT."
Beyond the stage, Sylvia--performing under the stage name "Zaradika"--transitioned into a successful international recording career. She toured Europe extensively, working with legendary German and American artists like Paris Red, R. Kelly, and The Temptations, and appeared in top-ten music videos on European MTV. Today, affectionally called "Miss Sylvia," is a dedicated home educator and choreographer, having served as Assistant Artistic Director of the Ebony Dance Theatre, choreographer with Summit Academy of Conyers, GA, instructor and choreographer at the Savannah Conservatory of Dance, and with Ballet Savannah in Savannah, GA. Sylvia is currently mentoring and advising the next generation of professional dancers.
Sylvia is the wife of Anthony Williams, of 19 years, and a homeschool mother of Timothy. A U.S. Army veteran, Anthony Jr., is currently attending North Carolina A&T, and Sasha, a Junior in high school, is an award-winning musical artist.
the Columbia City Ballet for over twelve years, Sylvia’s extensive repertoire includes iconic roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Black Swan, and the Red Maiden in Dracula. Her elite training includes scholarships to the Dance Theatre of Harlem and studies with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Boston Ballet, and the Frankfurt Ballet. Sylvia's dance journey began at age five in Columbia, SC, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance under Donna Lewis and at the Dee Crump School of Dance. During her time as a senior member of the Columbia City Ballet, she also became a founding member of the Eboni Dance Theatre of Columbia. Her versatile background later led her into musical theater, where she served as dance captain and performer for Busch Gardens Williamsburg's award-winning production, "ROCKIN THE BOAT."
Beyond the stage, Sylvia--performing under the stage name "Zaradika"--transitioned into a successful international recording career. She toured Europe extensively, working with legendary German and American artists like Paris Red, R. Kelly, and The Temptations, and appeared in top-ten music videos on European MTV. Today, affectionally called "Miss Sylvia," is a dedicated home educator and choreographer, having served as Assistant Artistic Director of the Ebony Dance Theatre, choreographer with Summit Academy of Conyers, GA, instructor and choreographer at the Savannah Conservatory of Dance, and with Ballet Savannah in Savannah, GA. Sylvia is currently mentoring and advising the next generation of professional dancers.
Sylvia is the wife of Anthony Williams, of 19 years, and a homeschool mother of Timothy. A U.S. Army veteran, Anthony Jr., is currently attending North Carolina A&T, and Sasha, a Junior in high school, is an award-winning musical artist.
Additional information for masterclasses:
1. For Ballet please wear the appropriate dancewear if possible - a leotard, tights (or leggings), and Ballet slippers (for girls). Boys' T-shirt, tights (or sweatpants), and slippers if you have them. THEY ARE NOT NEEDED FOR YOU TO TAKE CLASSES!
2. For Bollywood, Contemporary, and Jazz/Hip Hop, wear loose, comfortable dancewear or clothing.
3. Although water will be available, you are welcome to bring your personal water bottle.
4. Classes will begin and end on time. Please do not be late entering the classes out of respect for the Master teachers.
5. For Ballet class, hair should be pulled back, off the face, unless it is short. .
6. Advance Classes (11 - adults) are for students who have extensive training. Intermediate students (11 - adults) have a good working knowledge of technique, but beginners are welcome. Beginners (8-12 years old). Some previous knowledge is helpful but not necessary.
“