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Anastassia Abramenko

Choreographer; Dancer

Accomplished professional ballroom dancer, dancesport competitor, choreographer and dance instructor with over 20 years experience. In 2014, established the Central Florida dance studio – Anastassia Ballroom & Dance – to share the joy of ballroom dancing with others.

Fabiola Alvarez

Actor; Choreographer; Dancer; Filmmaker; Storyteller; Visual Artist; Writer

I started my art education at the conservatory de Castella. The reason why I wanted to start going there was because I did a tour of my first art school and saw this dancer having her moment with a violin musician. My director, Mr. Arnoldo Herrera, asked me the reason why I wanted to go there. I told him I needed to dance for the rest of my life. Later on, I discovered that I was not only in love with my dance and ballet classes, but also with plastic arts. By the age of 8, my dad wanted me to learn English, so I traveled to the United States, and by the age of 14, I was already moving with him to Miami, Fla. I first got to Howard A. Doolin Middle School (closed in 2012). My father enrolled me at South Miami High, where I was accepted into ballet classes for the Nutcracker Show and later admitted to the plastic arts program, where I gained my first experience as a dancer model for the art class. Later on, my mom came to the States, and we moved to Fort Lauderdale. There she started to work with Mr. Gary Destin, a real artist who was one of my art mentors there in Hollywood. He thought I was a good candidate to begin attending the Dillard Center for the Arts, where I met Mr. Celestin Joseph, and he encouraged me to always "think outside the box" with my art work. His first notation on my art work was "terrific," and I was mad at him because I wasn't really sure if that was a good or bad grade on my drawings. He later on explained to me that it was actually a good notation and showed me the real meaning of that expression. My sculpture teacher's name escapes me, but she was the first person who was always by my side, guiding me through every artistic step. She showed me how to do my first bust. I remember one classmate coming up to me saying, "It is the most horrible bust I have ever seen." I was deeply offended, but God spoke to my heart, saying, "That's how I feel when you say you're ugly." Mr. Celestin asked us to make a drawing of ourselves. I went home and Mr. Destin helped me by showing a new technique, and the next day I was proud of my drawing. My art teachers asked me to exhibit my drawings at the Fort Lauderdale Museum. I did it proudly, thinking that I was part of the creation, grateful for every part of my dancer body. I came back to my country to continue with dance classes and was chosen among 80 dancers to be part of Conservatory el Barco. At the end of the season, I was cast to be part of a Disney show with choreographers from Orlando, and I was chosen again among 200 Costa Rican dancers. In my free time, I used to teach dance and art classes in the community churches around me. Later, I was chosen to be part of the Nutcrackers and Coca-Cola shows in CR. Later on, I got married and had two kids. My ex-husband was not happy with me being a dancer, so I started to paint a little more, but my kids and my job at different call centers did not give me enough time or inspiration to paint. After my separation, I started to do art events with different clothing designers, offering my art shows mixing body paints and dance, and that's basically what I have kept doing while I am also working at a QA department in a sportsbook, and helping my brother at the Falcons goalkeepers agency he opened about 3 years ago, and that's where my kids, Santiago and Felipe Gomez, train in football. I am now planning to do a future event with my mentor, Gary Destin, to help an organization that helps people with cancer. I will continue to do dance shows and modeling for different photographers, along with body paint shows and art pieces of my own. My main desire is to be able to show my kids my bust and complete it with a crown I was given for dancing at one of the most important beauty contests, "Reina Intercontinental", which helps this cancer organization. I will also be working on my visa to go visit my art school, Mr. Joseph and Mr. Destin.

Thaddeus Brown

Actor; Choreographer; Dancer; Singer

Tara Chadwick

Choreographer; Composer; Dancer; Filmmaker; Musician; Singer; Storyteller; Writer

Since childhood, I've served as an apprentice to my mother and aunt, both artists, art teachers, arts and culture advocates. As a teenager, I donned the mask and costume of the Lincoln Imp, giving life to the gargoyle like fundraising mascot helping raise the capital funds needed to transition the local Historical Society to a regional museum. I spent the rest of my teens and 20's learning the art and science of archaeological illustration, investigation, analysis, public education and outreach by balancing an entry level career at the Royal Ontario Museum with a fully funded academic scholarship to one of Canada's premier research institutions, York University, both in Toronto. When I wasn't at school or work, I was helping my aunt launch her career as an artist, seting up and staffing exhibition and sales booths at juried shows such as Toronto Outdoor Art and Washington Square Art in NYC. In between those responsibilities, I worked as a research assistant to Dr. Elizabeth Graham, a well known Mesoamerican archaeologist. During my tenure as an undergrad, I was also keenly aware of the social environment, having just returned to Canada after a childhood mostly spent in Broward County, Florida. There were many things happening, especially during my initial return during the summer of 1990. In Canada, that was the summer of Oka... the summer the Canadian government brought tanks and guns to the Native Canadian reserve of Akwesasne, Mohawk Territory. Soon after, the sesquicentennial of the "discovery" of the Americas began. 1992 brought a host of discussions, deliberations, workshops and yes, celebrations to the streets of Toronto. This is the year that I learned that Native People in Canada are related to me as a descendant of the Indigenous people of Mesoamerica. Up to that point, I just thought of us all as seperate. But I knew enough about geography and archaeology to know that Columbus landed in my part of the continent. That began a course of study in ethnography that resulted in my pursuit of traditional knowledge production continuing through today. In 2012, my family and I helped in the creation and launch of the world's largest travelling exhibit of Maya art and artifacts, now in it's seventh city, currently on view at the Milwaukee Public Museum. I remain... To teach and learn our stories... To move into the future as human beings... To never forget who we are...

R. Lewis Hooten

Choreographer; Visual Artist

R. LEWIS HOOTEN R. Lewis Hooten was born in Gainesville, Florida and grew up in a very rural environment. Nature was right outside the door(and sometimes inside), and seeing things up close was a part of everyday life. After serving time in the U.S. Army Mr. Hooten studied ballet in Atlanta, Ga. And then in New York City. After moving to Miami Mr. Hooten attended the New World School of the Arts on scholarship and earned a BFA degree in dance. He danced, taught, and choreographed for many years in the South Florida area. He also managed to have a career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Mr. Hooten became interested in photography when he was documenting the flowering of his collection of tropical plants and orchids. He has exhibited his work at Artserve and Broward Art Guild for several years. He is currently working on a series using peeling tree bark; photographed, and then manipulated on a computer to create artistic images.

PACO HUERTA

Actor; Choreographer; Dancer; Director

taste for dancing and Folklore from very young me allowed to develop my qualities and attitudes as a dancer and with the experience and maturity me allowed direct different groups in mexico creating workshops, seminars and intensive courses in dance and Dance in Mexico and I am now director and instructor ballet Folklorico Azteca Florida since 8 years ago. and now as a group. we support different organizations giving shows in social, cultural and artistic events...

Kendrick Jones

Actor; Choreographer; Dancer; Director; Singer

Education 2010 | Bachelors of Arts in Theatre/Dance Minor • Florida A&M University 2007 | Culinary Arts (Certifications) • Johnson &Wales University 2004 | High School Diploma • Hallandale High School Experience August 2014 – Present| Director of Theatre Hallandale High School | Hallandale, FL create and maintain the artistic vision of the organization Instruct Dance and Drama Classes Oversee & direct productions Order supplies, costumes, props, etc Perform light maintenance and custodial task March 2009 – August 2014| Dance Instructor Lampkin’s Creative Arts 4 All | Hallandale, FL Taught Dance Classes Oversaw productions Ordered supplies, costumes, props, etc. October 2008 – June 2010 |Director of Dance John Battle Theatre Ensemble | Hallandale, FL Assisted with maintain the artistic vision of the organization Taught Dance Classes Oversaw productions Ordered supplies, costumes, props, etc August 2009 –July 2011 | Administrative Assistant/ Rehearsal Director Orchesis Contemporary Dance Theatre | Tallahassee, FL Contacted Sponsors & Patrons Created class & rehearsal schedules Oversaw productions Ordered supplies, costumes, props, etc Performed light maintenance and custodial task Maintained social media accounts Skills • Microsoft Office • Production Management • Theatre Management • Scheduling • Phone Systems • Sound Operation • Lighting Operation • Choreography • Set & Costume Design • Interior Design • Event Planning and Management Training • FAMU Connection • Florida A&M University’s Essential Theatre • John Battle Theatre Ensemble • (BTN) Black Theatre Network • Philadelphia Dance Company • Orchesis Contemporary Dance Theatre • World Ballet Inc. • Tj’s Contemporary Dance Theatre • Jubilee Dance Theatre

Kahra Keyes

Actor; Choreographer; Composer; Dancer; Director; Filmmaker; Musician; Poet; Singer; Storyteller; Visual Artist; Writer

Kahra is a unique, multi-dimensional artist set to break limitations to set new standards for the possibilities of creative individuals. Among many talents, Kahra is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, visual artist, actor, model, & dancer. Kahra enjoys playing piano, guitar, harmonica, flute, media show hosting, painting live, painting & singing live, photography, & interior design. "Being a creator of the arts is essential to my soul's happiness and fulfillment" she lovingly insists. Kahra has sang on stages across South Florida. She has written over 300 songs, released albums on iTunes, design her album cover artwork, and has recently captured the title of Miss Florida US Nation 2014. Kahra also enjoys shooting, directing, & editing music videos. Kahra now has 12 music videos on her YouTube Channel. "In today's market, diversity is a necessity & Kahra's got IT". www.youtube.com/kahramusic. www.kahramusic.com. kahramusic@gmail.com

Nicole LaBonde

Choreographer; Dancer; Storyteller

Modern and Musical Theatre Dance

Trina Soumare

Choreographer; Dancer; Director; Musician; Storyteller

Trina Soumare 651 NE 45th Court, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064 Phone: 954-687-5789 Email: Thebridgecae@aol.com url: www.balletbrika.com EDUCATION 1991 Bachelors of Arts Degree–Developmental Psychology/Social Work, University of Maryland- Baltimore County 1992 Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Training for Addiction Services Received training and certificates in Grant Writing, Substance Abuse Prevention, Prevention, Program Management, Community Empowerment, Marketing for Prevention Programs, Prevention Programs for Children and Adults. 1993 Business Skills Training Certificate, Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore 2006 Participated in Kennedy Center’s Seminar, Artists as Educators: Planning Effective Workshops for Teachers. 2007 Participated in Kennedy Center’s Seminars, Artists as Educators: Planning and Presenting Effective Workshops for Teachers. PRESENTATIONS (partial list) “Beyond the Museum Walls: The Truth About the African Mask” for Teachers of Grades 3-8. Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. May 2014. Broward County Student Enrichment Trust Fund (SEAS), Wrote, directed, choreographed and performed in theatrical adaptation of ‘Mmadipetsane: The Girl Who Refused to Listen to the Warnings of Adults”; Funded for 2012, 2013, 2014 for a total of 14 performances State of Florida, Arts-On-Tour, Florida’s State Touring Roster, Choreographer, Director and Performer for Ballet Brika West African Dance Theater (2012-2014) “The Enchanting Song of the Magical Bird: A Simulated Journey into Rural West Africa (for grade K-5 Educators)”, Florida Alliance for Arts Education, Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts,. . “Celebrating African Culture through Storytelling, Music and Dance: A Multi-Sensory Approach to Teaching Students about West African Culture for Teachers of Grades 3-8”. Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. October 15, 2008 and April 24, 2010. “Celebrating West African Culture through Storytelling, Music and Dance: A Multi-Sensory Approach to Teaching Students about West African Culture for Teachers of Grades 3-8. Sixth annual conference on arts integration—Teaching for Success: Educating the Whole Child through the Arts on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. FILMOGRAPHY Role: Haitian dancer in “Charlie’s Angel’s” television series, Season 1, Episode 2: Runway Angels (aired 29 Sep. 2011) Role: West African Dancer in “Dancer”, the third installment in a set of films by internationally acclaimed film-maker Dara Friedman. (Debuted Nov 19, 2011 in NYC) INTERNATIONAL: Taught English to Primary and Secondary Francophone students at Tounyifili Prefecture School in Guinea, West Africa, March – June, 2007. EMPLOYMENT Center for Creative Education, West Palm Beach Florida, 2009-present Teaching Artist Responsibilities include providing arts integration and arts education to Palm Beach County Florida children and their caregivers in classroom and after school program settings. Lessons involve the use of multiple intelligences, Blooms Taxonomy, Florida Sunshine State Standards, creating lesson plans, Essential Questions, and Time Management. AileyCamp Miami, Miami, Florida, 2010 – present West African Dance Instructor/Choreographer Introduce dances, music, and culture of West Africa to 100 middle school students. Classes include warm-up, authentic dances and songs from West Africa, as well as their historical and cultural contexts. Worked closely with a master drummer to encourage students’ understanding of the marriage of drumming, rhythm, and music to African dance. Choreograph energetic mini-ballets for culminating performances. The School District of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida 33301 Bak Middle School for the Arts, 2012-present, Artist in Residence- West African Dance Instructor I teach dance, music, and culture of West Africa to middle school for the arts students using both recorded music and live percussions. Classes included warm-up, authentic dances and songs from West Africa, as well as their historical and cultural contexts. I also choreograph dances for the student showcases and culminating performances. The School Board of Broward County Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 2008-present, Substitute Teacher Responsibilities include but are not limited to following lesson plans, left by the permanent teacher; teaching of all subject areas; addressing various learning styles of students; managing individual program plan for students with special needs; applying appropriate consequences for inappropriate student behavior; displaying problem sol ving, cooperative negotiating skills and conflict resolution strategies. Renaissance Village Project Pompano Beach, Florida 2006 – present, Director/Teaching Artist Renaissance Village Project, a U.S. based co-operative of African-centered artists who provide training and educational offerings as an alternative form of social and economic development, with the human placed at the center. Its mission is to assist youth and families in developing cultural awareness, harmonious balance and self-efficacy through their exposure to African artistic forms. Children Adolescent Health Advocacy Project (CAHAP) Baltimore, Maryland 1993-1999, Mental Health Specialist (Consultant) Responsible for the coordination and delivery of various prevention services to elementary, middle and high school aged students in the Cherry Hill section of Baltimore City, Maryland. Provided individual, group and family therapy; art therapy, play therapy, values clarification training, entrepreneurial skills development. Also responsible for securing funding to support program. 1999- 2008, Cultural Arts Director /African Dance Instructor Duties included teaching traditional West African culture, dance, songs and folklore to elementary, middle and high school aged students in an after school program setting. The majority of the students were children with special needs, children of substance abusing parents and ex-offenders. Classes were warm and intent on students leaving with the new knowledge and spirituality rooted through meditations, affirmations and visualizations. Secured funding through community and government grants. Hired, trained and managed contractual workers and volunteers. Baltimore City Public Schools 1999-2005, African Dance Instructor Duties included teaching traditional West African dance, songs and folklore to elementary, middle and high school aged students in a classroom setting. PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE (partial list) • (2010–2014) Wrote, directed, choreographed and performed in theatrical adaptation of ‘Mmadipetsane: The Girl Who Refused to Listen to the Warnings of Adults’. This project is funded by Broward County Student Enrichment Trust Fund • (2011) Performed African/Haitian dance on the television show ‘Charlie’s Angels’ (Runway Angels episode) • (2011-2012) Featured in Dara Friedman’s film, ‘Dancer’ which debuted in NYC in 2011 • (2005 - present) Co-founder, instructor and choreographer of Ballet Brika African Dance Theater • (2008) Wrote, directed, choreographed and performed in “Lessons from an Old Baobab during Kwanzaa” at African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 2008 • Currently studying and performing West African drumming with master percussionist Moussa Soumah of Guinea, West Africa. • 1991 Performer and Production Manager for “Assembly Mystique” theatrical production in conjunction with members of the National Ballet of the Ivory Coast • Eight years modern dance and performing experience with the Joan Kerr Dance Company (Philadelphia, PA) • Studied modern and classical ballet at the Settlement Music School and at Ballet Des Jeunes (Philadelphia, PA) • Studied and /or performed with Kauna Mujamal (Sankofa Dance Theater), Youssouf Koumbassa (Les Ballet Bagata), Babacar N’dyiae (Return to Goree West African Dance Company), Nai Zou Olivier (Ivory Coast), Performed with Africa in Motion at the 5th Annual Roots Homecoming Festival (in Gambia, West Africa), Studied theater arts at Freedom Theater (Philadelphia, PA) and The Arena Players (Baltimore, Maryland)

Toranika Washington

Choreographer; Dancer

Agatha Wright

Choreographer

Agatha Wright (Miami, FL) received her BA degree in Art History from the University of California, Riverside, in 2010 and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University. Most recently, Ms. Wright completed the Entrepreneurship Essentials Certification program at Harvard Business School in July 2020. Ms. Wright is an Arts Administrator and business owner. She is the Founder of Fluxus Haus Inc.- a 501 (c) 3 focused on representing marginalized groups on the fringes of society. Agatha Wright has received special recognition and funding from the following organizations: Actors Fund, 2018 & 2020; Artist Relief Fund, 2020; Dramatic Allied Arts Guild- Best Dancer Award, Los Angeles 2007; Foundation for Contemporary Arts, 2017 & 2020; Louisiana Visual Artist Fund, 2018; Miami New Times Mastermind Finalist, 2016, and the Small Business Administration, 2020. As a professional dancer, Ms. Wright has performed for Brazarte Dance Company, The Dancers Space, Impulsik Dance Company, Norka Music, The Secret Garden, Sofia Carreras- Intersect Dance Theater, Roya Carreras, and Tiffany Billings (Tony Award-winning Choreographer). Ms. Wright has also held positions as Choreographer and instructor at Muse Center for the Performing Arts, Judge at American Dance Alliance Competition, Presenter at Guild 5 Forty-Five, and dance instructor at Broward Preparatory Academy Kirova Ballet Academy and Norland Middle School. She trains advanced level and pre-professional dancers in Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary dance technique. Her curriculum includes artist mentorship, personal development, and pre-professional portfolio building. Her students have obtained scholarships, awards, and contracts at Miami City Ballet, Alvin Ailey Extension School, New World School of the Arts, and Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts. Conversely, Ms. Wright has held notable positions with other leading arts organizations as Head Administrator for AileyCamp Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Education Programs Coordinator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, panelist for the Youth Arts Miami grant program (2019, 2021) and panel member for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs All Kids Included initiative. She is an affiliate and volunteers for ACLU, American Arts Action Fund, Americans for the Arts, American Museum Alliance, Artists for Biden, and the US Chamber Foundation. Ms. Wright is currently the Dance Community Education Programs Manager at Miami City Ballet.

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