photography and design: Gabriel Bienczycki www.zebravisual.com

 

Dara StevensDara Stevens
Rehearsal Director

Rehearsal Director Dara Stevens is an Atlanta native who began her dance training and performing experience at Tri-Cities High School Dance Department and Total Dance/Dancical Production. She received her B.F.A. in dance education and is the recipient of the Stella Moore Award at The University of the Arts. She has had the pleasure of training with world-renowned dancers/teachers such as Faye Snow, Kim Bears-Bailey, Patdro Harris, Roscoe Sales, Nina Gilerath (Ballethnic Dance Company), Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abott (Deeply Rooted Productions) and Dawn Wood (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company). Ms. SteveDara Stevensns has performed with Total Dance Theater in Senegal, West Africa, for the Fusion Tour, Brian Sanders’ “Junk” (Philadelphia), Jomandi Productions’ Black Nativity” (Atlanta), Via International’s Body Snatchers The Musical (Los Angeles) and Haiku/Poems (New York), and Sonia Sanchez’s Living Legends tour. She has also performed works by renowned choreographer Milton Myers, Ronen Koresh, Adel Salaam (Forces of Nature), Christopher Huggins, Wayne St. David and Shawn-Lamere Williams.

Ms. Stevens has choreographed many productions, all receiving rave reviews, at several dance institutions throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey and Atlanta. She has also taught classes at The University of the Arts, conducted several workshops at the University of Pennsylvania, and a residency at Pennsylvania State College. She has directed the apprentice company of Messiah Dance Works in Philadelphia and is presently the resident choreographer of Messiah Dance Works company under the leadership of Duane Wilkins and Stacy Williams. Dara is also an associate member of Axam Dance Experience in Atlanta. This is her fifth year with Eleone Dance Theatre where she serves as rehearsal director.

Felecia L. WalkerFelecia L. Walker
Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant Felecia L. Walker, native Philadelphian and graduate of the Franklin Learning Center High School where she majored in dance, specializing in the Horton modern dance technique. She went on to graduate from the University of the Arts, School of Dance expanding her expertise in the Horton technique while including Limon, Graham and Wigman techniques. In addition to modern dance, Felecia continued to grow as an artist focusing on Jazz as a major, including lyrical jazz, Jo Jo style, Fosse and theater jazz, culminating in earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater/Jazz Dance. She also studied ballet, including Vaganova and Chicetti techniques, Tap, African, Flamenco and Russian character dance. Felecia  L. Walker

She has performed with various d

ance companies including JUBA Contemporary Dance Co., Group Motion, Waves Jazz Dance Co. and Paradigm Dance. Felecia is a performing company member of Eleone Dance Theatre where she is also currently Administrative Assistant and former rehearsal director. She has taught modern, jazz and Master Classes at St. John’s Settlement House, Northeast School for Girls and Boys, Progressions Dance Studio, Gwendolyn Bye Studio, Canaan Baptist Church, Society Hill Playhouse and Academy of International Ballet and Performing Arts. Felecia was Artistic Director and a choreographer for Christina Cultural Arts Centers’ 2003 showcase performance, Shades of Peace, in Wilmington, DE.

Lamar BaylorLamar Baylor is a native of Camden, NJ. He began his dance training at the age of 15. He studied at Halliday Dance, Dance Sensations and Da Boom Tap Company as an apprentice. Lamar is a graduate of The Creative Arts High School in Camden, NJ where he participated in the production of West Side Story, The Wiz and Sophisticated Ladies. He was a third place winner in the NAACP ACT-SO Competition for Dance. Lamar has performed with such artists as Patti LaBelle, Danny Glover, Jeff Bradshaw and Jill Scott. He is currently a sophomore dance major at The University of the Arts. This is Lamar’s second year with Eleone Dance Theatre. He wants to thank all of his past and present teachers for all of their hard work and support in his growth.

Eric BeanEric Bean Jr. is a native of the island of Bermuda and begun his formal training at the age of 15 under the tutelage of Suzette Harvey and various guest teachers such as Kevin Malone and Nathan Trice. He received a strong foundation in ballet, jazz, modern dance and social dance styles. He is currently studying at The University of The Arts where he plans to receive his B.F.A. in modern dance and choreography. His love for performing is only matched by his love for choreography and dance composition and hopes to one day, start a company of his own. He is extremely excited to be in his third season with Eleone Dance Theatre and would like to thank his parents for always allowing him to follow his dreams.

Mark CasertaMark Caserta is an 18 year old Philadelphia native. He started dancing at  age 5 at Jason Douglas Dance Academy training in tap and hip-hop. He  didn't officially discover his true love for dance until he attended the  High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia in 2002,  where he studied ballet, modern, and jazz under the training of LaDeva  Davis, Shawn-Lamere Williams and Wayne St. David. Mark has participated  several times with Amateur Night at the Apollo and performed with Koresh  Dance Company in 2005.  Mark Also performed with Eleone Connection for two yrs.  This is Mark first season with Eleone Dance Theatre. He will be attending the  University of the Arts.

Kyle ClarkKyle Clark started dancing at the age of 10, studying tap and hip-hop. He started his formal training in ballet, modern and jazz at the University of the Arts in 2002 at the age of 19. He also trained with Philadanco’s second company under the direction of Donald Lunsford in 2003. This is his first season with Eleone.

 

Roberto Rodriguez-GarciaRoberto Rodriguez-Garcia was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In September 1999, he was accepted in Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) where he received his first glimpse in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, African and lyrical dance training. As a member of CAPA’s dance company, Roberto performed for former mayor Ed Rendell’s inauguration and an award ceremony for Patti LaBelle and the Philly Pops. During high school, Roberto was introduced to the multi-cultural performance-based dance company, Traci Hall and Company where he trained vigorously and quickly advance to “featured” performer. Roberto has been a member of Eleone Dance Theatre for 3 ½ years. Roberto currently plays Gabriel in EDT production, Carols in Color.

Lindsey HashiguchiLindsey Hashiguchi, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin began dancing with City Ballet Theatre (Milwaukee, WI) at the age of 6. At 14 she joined the dance company, Milwaukee Dance Connection. Her training continued at Milwaukee High School of the Arts where she was able to perform at the 2002 International Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). She was a participant of her high school dance company, Tour De Force and dance team Ocean of Soul. She currently is a Jazz/Education major at the University of The Arts. This is her first season with the company.

Gabrielle HillardGabrielle Hilliard is a native Philadelphian. She attends Delaware Technical and Community College for her Nursing Degree and is a graduate from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). She had an opportu-
nity to perform in the production of Friends and Lovers, starring Leon of the Five Heartbeats. Her other shows include: What Men Don’t Tell, starring Kenny Lattimore and Chaunte Moore, was the lead dancer in the production of Good Lord, What is this World Coming To starring Megan Good. Gabrielle dedicates this performance to her Lord Jesus Christ who continues to bless her with the gift of life. This is her second season with Eleone Dance Theatre.

 

A'aliyah KhanA’aliyah Khan is a native of Philadelphia. Her first experience in the artistic environment was Meredith Elementary School. At the age of 12, she begun training at Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center where she trained in Ballet and Graham. She also performed in The Nutcracker with the International Ballet Theatre for two years and was a member of Fusion 2. After graduating from Meredith, she moved on to Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). She was privileged to train there with Wayne St. David for Jazz, and Shawn-Lamere Williams for Horton. She participated in “Boscov’s” Thanksgiving parades for four years, danced at a celebration for Patti Labelle and was a member of CAPA Dance Company. She was also one of the recipients for a 2003 Coca-Cola scholarship. After graduating in 2004, she joined Eleone Dance Theatre. She now attends The Univerisity of the Arts.

Mike Weems

Victor Lewis, Jr., was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and  is currently a 20-year-old sophomore dance major at The University of the Arts. He will graduate in 2009 with a BFA in dance. At the age of 13, Victor found an interest in dance and joined the Faithful Dance Company at Faithful Central Bible Church. There he found God through praise dance. For four years he dedicated himself to the dance ministry, after which he auditioned for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy where he trained for two years in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. After graduating from The University of the Arts, Victor plans to move to New York City and audition for Broadway. He also enjoys singing and acting and plans to become and entertainer as a recording artist and actor. This is Victor's first year with Eleone Dance Theatre, and he is truly honored to be a member of the company.

Laceda NelsonLaceda Nelson is a native of Tampa, Florida, and a graduate of the University of The Arts, where she received her BFA in dance education specializing in modern and jazz. Laceda was a student at the esteemed Howard W. Blake High School, the one and only performing arts high school in Tampa. Laceda is a principal dancer of EDT and Collaboration Works. As a performer she had the pleasure of working with such choreographers as Lula Washington, Nathan Trice, Milton Myers, Kim Bears-Bailey, Ronald K. Brown and Christopher Huggins. Laceda also appeared on ABC’s after school special, I used to Dance, recorded in L.A. at Lula Washington Dance Studio. She received a full scholarship to Jacobs Pillow Summer Intensive in Becket, MA, and performed in the Super Bowl XXV at the early age of eight. This is Laceda’s 5th season with Eleone.
Laceda Nelson

Lyron Paulin was born and raised in Philadelphia Pa. where he was first introduced to dance.  Inspired by his very first dance teacher, Leon Evans, he decided to follow in his footsteps and pursue dance as career. At the age of 12, he became the first and only recipient of the Leon Evans scholarship. He later continued his training at Creative and performing Arts High, Traci Hall, Philadanco The Univ. of the Arts and Eleone Dance Theater where he also became a company member as a college freshman.  After leaving the university sophomore year, Mr. Paulin became one of the original members in Fabian Barnes's Washington Reflections Dance Company. Mr. Paulin has also Danced with Koresh dance company as well as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company.  After a small departure from his home, Lyron is happy to be reunited with his fellow dancers for yet another season.

Kelli VenterKelli Venter started dancing at the age of eight in her hometown of Baltimore, MD. She began her dance education with Ava Fields dance ministry and the Baltimore School for the Arts after school twigs program. She then became a full time student at the Baltimore school for the arts high school, graduating in 2002 where she studied with Norma Pera, Tony Wilson, Stephanie Powell, Edward Stewart, Sandra Lacy, and Debra Robinson. She was then accepted into The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is now a ballet major and has worked with wonderful teachers and choreographers like Wayne St. David, Ronen Koresh, Kim Bears- Bailey, Eva Szabo, Andrew Pap, Scott Jovovich, and many others. After graduating and getting her B.F.A. from college, she hopes to travel and dance around the world; working for great choreographers and to join the company of her dreams.
Mike WeemsMike Weems born in Washington, D.C., began his dance training at the age of fourteen at Suitland High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Program. There, under the direction of Barbara Marks and Linda Hallman Darr, he studied four years of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Ethnic, and Choreography. While at Suitland he had the opportunity to study abroad with the Dance Theartre of Harlem in residency at the Kennedy Center and with DC’s Showbiz Kidz hip hop company. He has had the pleasure of working with Kim Bears-Bailey and Kevin Malone of Philadanco, Fabian Barnes and Dean Anderson of the Dance Institute of Washington, Faye Snow, Brian Sanders,Christopher Huggins, Debbie Allen, Roni Koresh, Rennie Harris and many more. Mike is now a Junior at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA were he is earning his BFA in Dance Performance.He would like to thank God, his family, and friends for their love and support.

Mike WeemsZola Williams is originally from Maryland and began her dance training at the age of five. She has won many scholarships and awards including The Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship, Maryland Distinguished Scholar and New York City Dance Alliance's Outstanding Dancer. She has performed in the annual Broadway celebration "Nothing Like Dance '04" in New York and continues to dance with American Dance Artists, based in Maryland. Zola currently attends University of the Arts as a junior Ballet major. This is Ms. William's first season with Eleone Dance Theatre.