Eleone Dance Theatre

Dara Stevens
Rehearsal Director

Dara Stevens-Meredith, a native of Atlanta, GA, began her training at Tri-Cities High School and Total Dance/Dancical Productions under Dawn Axam and Terrie Axam. She received her BFA in dance education at The University of the Arts. Dara has performed with Total Dance Theater, Brian Sanders "Junk", Jomandi Productions, Opera North, via International's, Haiku/Poems, Sonia Sanchez' Living Legend Tour, Collaboration Works and Waheed Works. She has trained and performed works nationally by renowned teachers/choreographers Patdro Harris, Roscoe Sales, Milton Myers, Kim Bears-Bailey, Nina Gilreath, Ronen Koresh, Abdel Salaam, Christopher Huggins, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Gary Jeter, Corey Baker, Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Shawn-Lamere Williams. Dara has taught at universities, dance institutions and dance schools in the tri-state area.

Dara Stevens She is a resident artist with the Philadephia Arts in Education program. She is a former director of Messiah Dance Works Apprentice Co. and resident choreographer of Messiah Dance Works Co. In 2004 she co-founded DCNS Summer Dance Intensive. Dara is the rehearsal director of Eleone Dance Theatre. Dara has choreograph works on Eleone Dance Theatre, Eleone Connection, Orcheo Dance Co., Collaboration Works, Danse4Nia Repertory Dance Ensemble, Axam Dance Theater Experience, the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and Bad Boy's musical group Danity Kane, all which received rave reviews. She is a 2004 recipient of The UArts highest honor "The Stella Moore Award", 2006 Best Choreography award from Nation Dance Showcase, 2007 Philadelphia Rocky performance award, 2007 recipient of Eleone Dance Theatre 's E Award for Excellence for her outstanding contribution to the world of dance. Dara joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2001.

Jaren Brown, a native of Wilmington, DE, where he began studying at the Christina Cultural Arts Center under the instruction of Shawn-Lamere Williams, Chauntee Andrews and Faye Snow. Jaren graduated from Cab Calloway School of the Arts in 2006. He performed in numerous dance and musical theater productions including a lead role in "Fame". Jaren is a junior jazz performance major at The University of the Arts studying under Donald Lunsford, Wayne St. David, Ronen Koresh, Kim Y. Bears, Molly Misgalla and Karen brown. Jaren was a member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2007. With EDT, Jaren has had the opportunity to perform the works of Dara Meredith, Gary Jeter and Abdur-Rahim Jackson just to name a few.

Mark Francis Caserta, a native of Philadelphia, PA, began his dance training at the Jason Douglas Dance Academy. Mark attended the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where he studied under Ladeva Davis, Shawn-Lamere Williams and Wayne St. David. Mark is a junior ballet performance major at The University of the Arts. He has attended scholarship programs at Philadanco, Koresh and The Ailey School. He has performed works by Judith Jamison, Christopher Huggins, Troy Powell, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Gary Jeter, Corey Baker, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Matthew Rushing, Anthony Burrell and Shawn-Lamere Williams to name a few. Mark was a member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2006.

Kyle Clark is a native of Baltimore, MD. He began his dance training as a tapper at Deve's Csopa Dance Studio. In 1999 he was able to take class with Gregory Hines. Kyle attended The University of the Arts where he began his formal training of ballet, modern and jazz and graduated in 2006. While at the university kyle worked with choreographers such as Christopher Huggins, Rennie Harris and many others. Kyle was the first male to perform Martha Graham's piece "Steps in the Street". Kyle has dance with Philadanco II, under the direction of Donald Lunsford. Kyle is a member of Rennie Harris Pure Movement where he is Asst. Rehearsal Director. Kyle joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2005.

Okewa Garrett, a native of Philadelphia, PA, began his training at the Traci Hall and Co. Okewa attended the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where he studied with Ladeva Davis, Shawn-Lamere Williams and Wayne St. David. While in high school Okewa has performed in the Boscov's Thanksgiving Parade along with touring through out the U.S. Okewa has received scholarships from Philadanco, The Joffrey Ballet and The Ailey School. Okewa is a junior ballet performance major at The University of the Arts. Okewa was a member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre as an apprentice in 2007.

A'aliyah Khan a native of Philadelphia, PA, began her first dance artistic experience at the Wm. Meredith Elementary School. At age 12, she began training at the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center where she trained in ballet and Graham. She was a member of Fusion 2 and performed in The Nutcracker with the International Ballet Theatre. A'aliyah is a graduate of The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where she studied with Wayne St. David for jazz and Shawn-Lamere Williams for Horton. She participated in Boscov's Thanksgiving Day parades for four years, danced at a celebration for Patti Labelle and was a member of Capa Dance Company. A'aliyah was also one of the recipients for the 2003 Coca-Cola Scholarship. A'aliyah attended The University of the Arts and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2004.

Laceda Cuyler, a native of Tampa, FL, was a student at the first performing arts high school in Tampa, FL, called Howard W. Blake. She graduated from The University of the Arts where she received her BFA in dance education. Laceda's work "Urban Voodoo" was accepted as a student piece to be presented in Choreographers Corner held in Atlanta, GA. As a performer she has had the pleasure of being in the presence of and working with such choreographers as Lula Washington, Nathan Trice, Milton Myers, Kim Bears-Bailey, Ronald K. Brown, Gary Jeter, Christopher Huggins and Shawn-Lamere Williams. Laceda has appeared on the ABC After School Special, "I Used to Dance," and performed at the XXV Super Bowl. Laceda received a full scholarship to Jacob's Pillow. Laceda has taught dance at many college universities and local dance schools and institutions in the tri-state area. Laceda is also co-founder of DCNS Summer Dance Intensive. Laceda is a member of Collaboration Works and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2001.

Willie Smith III, a native of Charlotte, NC, where he began his training at Weir Dancing Inc. Willie is a 2005 honors graduate of Northwest School of the Arts. He is now a senior ballet performance major at The University of the Arts. Willie has performed with Space Coast Ballet Co., Western Ballet Co., Brandywine Ballet and Smoke Lillies and Jade Arts Initiative and Waheed Works. He joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2007.

Matthew Thomas a native of Philadelphia, PA. He began his training at age 6. He studied at l&l Dance Studio, YTPC, Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet - The Rock School. Matthew performed in the Duke Ellington's Harlem Nutcracker. Matthew was a member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2007.

Kelli Venter a native of Baltimore, MD, began her dance training in elementary school, with the "Twigs" program at the Baltimore School of the Arts where she later went for her high school education. She graduated from The University of the Arts in 2008 with a BFA in ballet. She has worked with choreographers Christopher Huggins, Molly Misgalla, Kim Bears-Bailey, Wayne St. David, Gary Jeter, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Corey Baker, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Anthony Burell and Shawn-Lamere Williams. She has performed with entertainers on MTV and in the production of "My Brother Marvin." Kelli joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2004.

Shalay Monique Johnson, is a native of Stone Mountain, GA. Shalay graduated from Dekalb School of the Performing Arts where she founded the Harambee Dance Company. Shalay has trained with various teachers around Atlanta and the country. Shalay is currently a sophomore at The University of the Arts, where she is pursuing a BFA degree in modern dance. Shalay joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2008.

Leighanna Kennett is a native of Canastota, NY. She began her dance training with Wende Warne, Sandie Fukes and Nicole Cotton of the United Academy of the Performing Arts in Oneida, ny. Leighanna has performed at Disney World, the Half-Time Show at the Pro-Bowl and the United Kids of America tour. Leighanna has also studied with Delia Foley of the Mohawk Valley Ballet in Utica, NY where she performed principal and solo roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, the Lion King of Mali and Midsummer's Night Dream. She has attended summer intensives at the Rock School of PA Ballet, The Orlando Ballet and The Sarasota Ballet. Leighanna is now a sophomore at the University of The Arts. Leighanna joined Eleone Dance Theatre as an apprentice in 2008.

Parris Lacey a native of Prince Georges County Maryland, began his first training at Thomas G. Pullen Magnet Performing School. He graduated from Suitland High School under the performing arts program with high honors. Parris is now a junior modern performance major at The University of the Arts. While being in the process of growth within his artistry he has worked with choreographers such as Debbie Allen, Ronald K. Brown, Christopher Huggins, Kim Bears-Bailey, Karen Brown, Camille Brown and many more. Parris was casted in a principle role in The University of the Arts production of "Forces of Rhythm" and was hand picked by choreographer Louis Johnson. Parris joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2009.

Daniel LaMont Moore a native of Washington, DC, began his dance training at The Northeast Performing Arts Outreach Youth Center. Daniel attended Suitland High School for the Visual and Performing Arts where he studied under Linda Darr and Barbara Marks. Daniel is a Junior Ballet Performance Major at The University of the Arts. He had attended scholarship programs such as The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Institute of Washington, Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, and Anointed Dance Ministry and Company. He has worked with Debbie Allen, Anthony Burrell, Fabian Barnes, Arthur Mitchell, and Earl Mosley. Daniel thanks God everyday for his gifted that was given to him. Daniel joined Eleone Dance Theatre in 2009

Dujaun Smart, Jr., A native of Detroit, MI, began his dance training at Fem Fatale Dance Studio in Oak Park, MI, under the guidance and instruction of Rita Mosley. He has also studied with Nicole Burnette, Norma Fowler and Bruce Bradley. He has toured in Germany and France and mentored under Christopher Huggins in italy. Dujaun attended Lewis Cass Technical High School where he graduated in 2007. He received scholarships to train at Dance Theater of Harlem, Edge Performing Arts Center, The Ailey School and Tucson Ballet. Dujuan has participated in various competitions nationwide earning titles such as: 2006 Act-So National Gold Medalist, 2006 Urban Jamm Well-Rounded Dancer of the Year, 2007 Mr. Bravo winner, 2007 National Mr. Showbiz winner and 2007 NFAA Jazz Dance winner. He is currently a sophomore dance major at The University of the Arts. Dujaun joined the company in 2008.

Tiffany Nicole Webb, a native of Philadelphia, PA, began her dance training at Freedom Theatre under the instruction of Patricia Scott-Hobbs, Antoinette Coward-Gilmore, Shawn-Lamere Williams and Dr. Glendola Yhema Mills to name a few. While training at Freedom Tiffany has had the opportunity to perform in their annual productions of Alkanza Danz and Black Nativity. Tiffany also has trained with Philadanco, Dance Theater of Harlem, Kariamu and Co. and Eleone Dance Theatre. Tiffany attended Howard University majoring in musical theatre. She had the opportunity to perform with Vanessa Bell Calloway, Phyllis Stickney in the Vagina Monologues. Tiffany was a member of Eleone Connection and joined Eleone Dance Theatre as an apprentice in 2008.