Youth Praise Dancers-Part 2

Job 21:11  

They  send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.



"God's Heart Beat"
 Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
 Pomona, CA

 "Higher Praise Dance Academy"
Higher Praise Worship Ministry
 Detroit, Michigan

 "Ministry in Motion"
  Morning Star Baptist Church
Hampton, Virginia

  "Praise Dancers"
 New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Inc.
 Macon, Georgia

"Feel the Pressure Dance Company"
 Moreno Valley, California

  "Visual Praise"
 St. John Missionary Baptist Church
  OKC, OK

 "Youth Alive"
 Revival Centre
 Plaza Ampang City
Jalan Ampang

"Praise Dancers"
God's Grace Community Church
 Houston, TX

 "Sisterly Grace Dance Ministries"
Richmond, VA

Daily Bread-Psalm 62:5,6

Psalm 62:5,6

My soul,wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.

There are many Youth Praise Dancers-Part 1

Youth Praise Dancers

Job 21:11  

They  send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.

"Praise Dancers"

Greater Beulah Baptist Church
Dothan, AL

"Divine Movement of A Purpose"

The Church of The Kingdom of God Ext.#1

Eustis, Fla

"Praise Dancers" 

Brookdale Christian Center

 Brooklyn Center, MN

" Praise Dancers"

 

 "Mimes and Praise Dancers"

Second Baptist Church

 San Antonio, Texas

 "MLK Praise Dancers"

  

"High Praise"

The Church of the Kingdom of God Ext.#1

Eustis, Fla

 

 "West Baptist Church youth praisers"

 Dallas, Texas

 

 "RHYTHM OF GOD" 

 Missionary Baptist Church

 Pomona, CA

 

"Adoration Praise Dancers"

Mount Zion
 Nashville, Tennessee

 

"PRECIOUS UNITY"

 Second Mount Zion Baptist Church

 Hanover, VA

 "The Anointed Chenaniah Praise Dancers"

 Boynton Beach Florida

DANCE IN WORSHIP

DANCE IN WORSHIP

 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (Exodus 15:20)

The nation of Israel has used dance as a form of worship throughout their history. Several  places within the Bible make reference to the use of dance as a form of worship. Many Christians are opposed to dance because of what the world has done with it. However, just because Satan has perverted something, doesn't mean that we as Christians should stop using it for Gods glory. The Bible says: ...all things were created by him, and for him(Col 1:16). 

The earliest mention of dance as a form of worship in scripture is in the book of Exodus, when the nation of Israel had just crossed the Red Sea. It says:

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exodus 15:20

It is interesting that Miriam (the sister of Moses and Aaron) was called a prophetess, yet nowhere in scripture does it record a single prophecy that she brought fourth. However, praise dancing was taught in the school of the prophets. Apparently, the nation of Israel viewed dance as a prophetic gifting, and treated it as such.

One of the things that King David is known for in the Bible is his praise and worship. Much of the book of Psalms (songs of praises) was written by him, and the Davidic style of worship has been practiced in Israel for many years, even unto today. Today, the resurgence of dance, and other forms of the arts being used in worship in Christian churches is referred to as the reinstatement of Davidic worship. King David himself danced before the Lord, when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.

  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

                                                              2 Samuel 6:14

David also refers to dance as a form of worship in some of the Psalms he wrote. For example:

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Psalm 149:3
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psalm 150:4

Okay, you might say, but this is all in the Old Testament, not the New Testament. Well, lets stop just a moment and think about that. Jesus, and Paul both said that in numerous places that they taught from the scriptures. What was that? It couldn't have been the New Testament, because that hadn't been written. No, in fact they were referring to the Old Testament, specifically the books of the Law. 

The New Testament church gained most of its style of worship from the Jews. Since the Jewish believers were used to dance as a form of worship, they naturally taught it to the gentiles. Therefore, the early Christians understood dance as a normal part of worship. In fact, one of the original deacons, elected in the sixth chapter of Acts was Prochorus. If you dig into his name, it means he leader of the circle dance. This 

 implies rather strongly that the early church accepted dance as a part of worship.  

 Dance has existed to some degree all through church history. Just to show one example, lets look at what could be considered one of the most structured, legalistic Christian denominations ever. Who is this? The Shakers. They were a offshoot of the Quakers in the early years of our country. The Shakers (or Shaking Quakers) lived in their own communities, remained celibate, denied themselves of physical pleasures, and danced before the Lord with all their might! There is something about dance that will take any worship service into a higher level than it can otherwise reach. One person truly dancing before the Lord (not before man) can take the entire congregation farther into His throne room, than they would otherwise have gone. 

Research info:

 http://maranathalife.com/teaching/jew-danc.htm

Why Do "We" Praise Dance?

Why Do "WE" Praise Dance?

 O God, we give glory to you all day long    and constantly praise your name. Psalm 44:8

 

There are many people who do not understand the reason why we dance. The purpose of Worship and Praise dance is to give God the glory. The movements we use are to edify and encourage the body of Christ. It is through our movements that we communicate with the Holy Spirit to usher people into his presence as the Lord sends healing, salvation, deliverance, peace, joy, freedom of bondage and miracles for his people.

Worship and Praise dance should be done decently and in order and it should always be done with a purpose. Together let's lift him up as we seek excellence in worshiping Christ in dance.

Remember to eat the right foods and make sure you are using the proper technique to prevent injuries. Most importantly make sure you are always dancing for a purpose. If it is truly in your heart it will be manifested through the praise in your dance.Why do you dance? Is it to be accepted by others or to fill a need in a program or is it to give him the glory? Remember your purpose.

Research info:

 http://reflectionsdanceministry.org/worship-dance-blog/why-do-we-dance/

 

Daily Bread from the Word Of God-Philippians 4:6,7

 

Daily Bread

Philippians 4:6,7 Be careful for nothing;but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Power of Dance

The video "The Power of Dance" was a film which explored various forms of dance around the world and how each one related to its respective culture. The video used a multitude of different styles of dance in different geographical locations to pinpoint how dance is a universal language, and the body is used to convey a variety of ideas and emotions. The primary theme behind the film was that dance is a global phenomenon. Dance crosses race, color, culture, social, economic, and class lines.

Dance is found in a whole host of situations, including, but certainly not limited to, religion, theatre, social settings, and film. Dance is used to tell stories, express emotion, and as a form of religious ceremony, expressing praise, gratitude, sorrow, and offered as a gift. It is in this sense that dance is a form of "communication without boundaries."
Life itself is a form dance. Jacques D'Ambrose, of the New York City Ballet theatre, likens the heartbeat to a dance. The heartbeat, he says in the first rhythm of dance, with its primary tempo a basic upbeat. It is this upbeat that sustains us all.

Child dancer Ryan McCormick makes this point especially clear. As part of a New York children's dance troupe, he applauds the merits of dance as being a tool to integrate children of different racial and economic backgrounds, by teaching teamwork and cooperation. Dancing is some of the children's only way to express themselves and release daily stressors,   a therapeutic part of dance, according to dancer and choreographer Gregg Burns.

America is a melting pot, using dance from all over the world, including Russia, where the origins of ballet can be found. Russian dancer Bolshoi sees dance as an expression of aristocratic behavior, exuding effortless strength and grace. Ballet, in this light, is "…unearthly; (the) art of the air." Irek Makhamedov describes dance, ballet in particular, as an international language in which the physical and emotional are inseparable..... dancing goes hand-in-hand with words like: Rejoicing, Gladness, and being merry and joyful

Research info.

http://www.studymode.com/essays/Power-Dance-78157.html

                                Bibical Scriptures for Dance

                                                                       

1 Chronicles 16:29-30

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

The Hebrew word for “Fear” in this particular verse, is Chuwl, which means to twirl, to spin, and to DANCE.  This word is used in over half of the verses pertaining to dance and is THE ROOT WORD for Dancing;

Psalm 96:9

"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."

Exodus 5:1

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may dance (hold a feast) unto me in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 12:12 

  And ye shall dance (rejoice) before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.

Deuteronomy 14:26   

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt dance (rejoice), thou, and thine household,

Deuteronomy 16:15 

 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely dance (rejoice).

Deuteronomy 24:5    

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall  dance (cheer up) [with] his wife which he hath taken.

Deuteronomy 33:18     And of Zebulun he said, Dance (Rejoice), Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

1 Chronicles 16:32     Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields dance (rejoice), and all that is therein.

Job 21:12     They take the timbrel and harp, and dance (rejoice) at the sound of the organ.

Psalm 42:4     When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept dancing (holyday.)

Psalm 53:6     Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall dance (be glad.)

Psalm 66:6     He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we dance (rejoice) in him.

Psalm 85:6     Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may dance (rejoice) in thee?

Psalm 90:14     O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may dance (rejoice) and be glad all our days.

Psalm 92:4     For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will dance (triumph) in the works of thy hands.

Psalm 96:11     Let the heavens dance (rejoice), and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Psalm 106:4-5     O visit me with thy Yahshua (Salvation);
5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may dance (rejoice) in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

Psalm 118:24     This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will dance (rejoice) and be glad in it.

Proverbs 5:18     Let thy fountain be blessed: and dance (rejoice) with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 12:25     Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it dance (glad).

Isaiah 9:3     Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they dance (joy) before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Isaiah 24:8   The dancing of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

Isaiah 24:11   [There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the dancing of the land is gone.

Isaiah 35:10     And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and dancing (gladness), and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 51:3     For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; dancing (joy) and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Isaiah 51:11     Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain dancing (gladness) and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Isaiah 56:7     Even them (the sons of the stranger) will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them dance (joyful) in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Isaiah 62:5   For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom dances over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Isaiah 66:10  Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: dance for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Jeremiah 31:13     Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into dancing (joy), and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Hosea 2:11   I will also cause all her dancing to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

Joel 2:23     Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and dance (rejoice) in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Zephaniah 3:14     Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and dance (rejoice) with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

Zechariah 2:10     Sing and dance (rejoice), O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

Zephaniah 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will dance over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Zechariah 8:19    Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah dancing (joy) and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

Zechariah 10:6-7      And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them.
7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and dance (be glad); their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.

Zechariah 14:16-19

¹⁶ And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to dance [at] (keep) the feast of tabernacles.

¹⁸ And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to dance [at] the feast of tabernacles.

¹⁹ This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to dance [at] the feast of tabernacles.

The Benefits of Praise Dance

From the Christian point of view, we are spirit, as God is spirit, (and being His true worshippers, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth -John 4: 24), we have a soul (i.e. mind, will and emotion) and we live in a body. Any physical movement, such as dancing, has often been associated with physical health. A lyric which contains the active and living words of God is the spiritual food for our spiritual health. As we meditate on the life and truth of God’s words, our mind is renewed for our mental health and we are being transformed into mature Christians.

Indeed, the most important aspect of praise dance is that it provides a holistic approach to health and whole well-being.  According to this modern approach to health and well-being, which is widely accepted in medical circles, all aspects of people’s needs, psychological, physical and social should be taken into account and seen as a whole.

Disease is a result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance and, in particular,  the spiritual aspect should always be taken into account when assessing a person’s overall well-being.  In other words, we cannot really achieve good health or well-being by focussing only on the physical needs of our body for good food, proper exercises and sleep or relaxation alone.  To achieve good health, we need to be involved in activities which promote positive emotions (such as an attitude of gratitude and gracious empathy) at the expense of negative ones (such as ingratitude, envy, hate and anger).

Of course, you can treat praise dance as an alternative to working in the gym or line dance and rely on attendances in church services or Bible study groups for your spiritual and perhaps mental needs.  But research has consistently confirmed the synergetic effects of combining all physical, mental and spiritual exercises into a single activity such our praise dance class in Adelaide, Australia.

In praise dance, just as in all other activities, I believe that everyone should find her/his spiritual gifts and missions to serve and edify others in accordance to God’s plan for her or him.

I have been most happy to devote a great of my time and energy to get help from all kinds of people in my church (Holy Methodist Church, Adelaide, Australia) and outside to provide the required materials to bring holistic health to students and teachers in the praise dance class.  People with special skills helping me include a gracious pastor, a qualified acupuncturist, Mandarin interpreters into English, computer programmer and my husband. 

People have all been enthusiastically contributed their time and effort to help me whenever I asked them because they have all shared my vision in making praise dance a holistic approach to health for the benefits of everyone, who knows either Mandarin or English. For praise dance to realise its full holistic health benefits, it is most important to remember that a good division of labour according to their spiritual gifts among the teachers in a cohesive cooperative group is necessary.

Such a group, which would produce positive synergetic effects, would not require everyone of its member to do the same set of things but would allocate tasks to her/him according to her/his individual abilities and limitations.

Benefits to Individuals & The Community

Praise Dance not only is good for all participants but also helps them to feel great! It is a wonderful form of worship and dancing exercises which benefit one’s whole being. These exercises suit people of all ages, as they involve gentle stretching of muscles, deep breathing and good ‘cardiac’ exercises, etc. We, praise dance teachers in Adelaide, would like to share our blessings with the community by providing joyful and healthy dancing exercise class as our free service to the people in the community.

Praise dance is good for the community as well as every individual participant.

It is good for the community for the following reasons:

• it reduces the medical costs to the community and Medicare as it helps to improve the physical and mental health of the participants.
• it reduces the number of working days lost through workers absences owing to illness and increases workers’ efficiency, concentration, mobility and hence productivity at work.
• it provides a healthy environment for people to meet socially and to be a blessing to others as they share their experiences.

It is good for every participant for the following reasons:

• it improves memory, self-esteem, and balance and flexibility.
• it increases mental alertness and bone strength.
• it lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system and enables better sleep.

Most importantly, praise dance is good for one’s whole being (which is the interconnection of our mind, body and spirit) for the following reasons:

• It involves exercises which express love, joy, thanksgiving, praise and worship and thereby promotes one’s spiritual health that is very important for one’s joy and peace.
• It changes our inner being, reinforcing in one a loving and grateful attitude which produces kind thoughts, encouraging words, good deeds and a character- all of which in turn give one the inner peace and better spiritual health.
• It helps us to face our daily challenges in life, in spite of one’s ever changing circumstances and environment.
• It contributes to bringing the Spirit of God for comfort and healing, as one tunes one’s mind, body and spirit to the dancing exercises through the music and lyrics.

Research info:

http://www.praisedancetoday.com/the-benefits-of-praise-dance/

Misc. Flags And Meanings

 

                       Blood Covenant Flag

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matt 26:28 NIV) . The rainbow symbolizes covenant (Gen 9:13); Blood represents the shed blood of Christ

                     Royalty/Silver Warrior

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Eph 6:10-18 NIV) The word picture is one of a knight in shining armor.

                             God's Army

"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called." (1Tim 6:12 NASB) Traditional camouflage fabric (nylon or polyester) symbolizes Christians as soldiers in the army of God who contend for "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute", everything excellent and worthy of praise. (Phil 4:8 NASB)

research info.

http://www.worshipflagstore.com/

Need a Re-freshing on Praise Dance moves?

                                    

Holy Bible

                                        The Book Of Life



Click Link Below:
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Wendy Heagy

(Founder)

Students will learn the biblical principals for dance ministry and be trained and encouraged to use their gifts for the Honor and Glory of the King. They will be given technical training at basic, adv/beginner and intermediate levels. Students will be equipped and discipled with valuable lessons for street outreach/evangelism through the arts and sent out to continue the work of the Lord through the great commission.

The desire of God's heart is, "that none should perish," therefore, these doors will be open to the saved as well as the unsaved, believing that by lifting up the name of Jesus, all men will be drawn unto Him and come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior. Raise Him Up Ministries is accountable to God and to those whom the Lord has put in place to give wise and godly council.

We Believe

The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. We believe that He died on the cross for our sins and that he rose again and now sits at the right hand of His Father in Heaven.

Salvation

We believe that all men are born of a sinful nature and that the work on the cross has redeemed us from the power of sin. We believe that salvation is available to all who will receive it.

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit.

The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it is the complete revelation of God's will for all of mankind.

Evangelism

We believe that evangelism is the obligation of every follower of Jesus Christ. The Lord commands us to go out and make disciples of all the earth. We believe that each person is first responsible to evangelism in their own family as the Holy Spirit leads them and gives them the ability.

Click Link Below:
Raise Him Up Praise Dance School & Ministry(New York City)http://www.praisedance.com/ 

 DR. SANDY A. MITCHELL

(Director)

Dr. Sandy A. Mitchell is a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a graduate of Howard University, with a BA Degree in Communication and a Minor in Drama/Dance. She is also a graduate of The American University with a MA Degree in Performing Arts, a graduate of Friends International Christian University with a Doctorate of Ministry in Religious Dance, a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies and a graduate of Faith Bible College and Seminary with a Degree in Theology.

Dr. Mitchell is a licensed minister, a gifted performer and teacher of the arts. She proclaims the marriage of passionate obedience and excellence in all she does. She is acclaimed nationally and internationally for her gifts and leadership in producing, directing, training artists technically, spiritually & choreographing dramatic productions & pieces for dance soloists.

Dr. Mitchell is the founding artistic director of Spirit Wings Dance Company, with a mission of setting a standard of excellence in the art of dance. Based out of Laurel, Maryland this company ministers with extreme technical proficiency and the anointing of God.

Dr. Mitchell has instructed & choreographed for Trinity Assembly of God Christmas Production (Lutherville, Maryland), St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church Liturgical Dance Ministry (Washington, D.C.), The Boden Center for the Performing Arts (Bronx, New York), Clinton Christian School’s Vessels of Praise, (Upper Marlboro, MD), High Point High School’s Concert Choir (Beltsville, MD), Evangel Cathedrals’ Christmas Celebration (Upper Marlboro, MD) and Ron Kenoly’s “The Perfect Gift Tour.” She also has worked as the artistic advisor for Georgetown University's Dance Program (Washington, DC), as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Bowie State University (Bowie, MD), and as an instructor for the Washington Performing Arts Society’s summer program (Washington, DC). In 1993, Dr. Mitchell began Spirit Wings Dance Studio, a place designed to train dancers to set a standard of excellence academically, artistically, spiritually and in their daily walk before God & man.

Dr. Mitchell takes performance and worship quite seriously and has established and strengthened dancers and dance ministries in Kenya, South Africa, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, England, Germany, Trinidad, and throughout the United States with the sole purpose of making a celebration of excellent, anointed, glorious praise unto the Lord.

Based out of Hope Christian Church under the leadership of Bishop Harry & Pastor Michele Jackson, Dr. Mitchell brings anointing through her ministry and the ministry of those whom she teaches.

Married for 28 years this year to Chevist L. Mitchell, they reside in Laurel Maryland.

Click Link Below:
Spirit Wings Dance Company & Studio(Laurel, Maryland)
http://www.spirit-wings.com/#!studio/c1rr8



                                                       

Layesha Walton

(Founder)

               

Layesha N. Walton (Miami, Fl) graduate of Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, GA) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications/Public Relations. She is happily married to Mr. Randol L. Walton. They have two beautiful children and they live in Tampa, Florida.  The scripture they live by is I Peter 1:16 - “Because it is written, be ye holy for I am holy.”

At age 8, Layesha began studying at Ballet Etude (Miami, FL) and continued her studies at the Inner City Touring Dance Center, Miami Northwestern's Performing and Visual Arts Center and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (Summer Intensive Professional Women’s Division) located in New York City.  Layesha has had extensive training and a performance career for over 25 years. After receiving Jesus as her Lord and Savior, she gave up dancing for entertainment, only to have Him give it back to her as a tool of ministry and evangelism.

Currently, through Anointed to Dance (A2D), Layesha Walton conducts liturgical (technique-based) and prophetic dance classes/workshops, seminars, choreography, and ministry presentations nationally. Her dance background includes Ballet, Modern, and Jazz.  Her dance training has led her to stages with or to open before gospel artists like Crystal Aikin, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Damita Haddon, Bishop Paul Morton, Pastor William Murphy, III, Lowell Pye of Men of Standard, Marvin Sapp, Melinda Watts, Marvin Winans, Jr., and Vickie Winans.

Layesha and her husband Randol, are the founders of Music & Dance Unto the Lord, Inc. Layesha is also the founder and director of T.B.M.U. (Tampa Bay Ministries United), Anointed to Dance,  L.I.F.T. (Ladies Influencing their Future Today) Mentorship Program, and author of, “Dancing My Testimony: A Daily Devotional Journal for Worshippers.” Jesus Christ is Layesha’s Lord and Saviour. He is the Bishop of her soul, her Deliverer and Master!

Click Link Below:
http://www.anointedtodance.com/A2D_Official_Site/M.D.U.T.L..html
 Music & Dance Unto the Lord( Tampa, Fla)

                              

                        Vicki Wooten Tchanque

(Dance Teacher)

Vicki began her professional performing arts career in her early teens.  Along with 59 other students, she became part of the second graduating class of Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Classical training in ballet (Vagonova, Cechetti), Modern (Graham, Horton), Jazz, traditional West African Dance (Senegalese), some theater, music and voice classes were sure foundations for her beginnings.  While still in high school she performed professionally with The African Heritage Dancers and Drumming Co. under the direction of Melvin Deal.  After three years of intensive study at Ellington, Vicki attended Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (now University of the Arts) in the fall of 1981.

During a lengthy interruption in Vicki’s college career from 1982-1993 she performed with various regional dance companies in the Washington, D.C. area:  (The Jason Taylor Dance Theater, Adrian Bolton’s Dance Co. and Spirit Wing’s Dance Co.).  In 1986 while still performing, Vicki obtained her license in Cosmetology/Management and actively worked in the beauty industry for 15 years in various salons and as a Platform Artist and Trainer.  In 1993 she returned to academia at the University of Maryland at College Park as a Creative and Performing Arts Scholar.  Upon completing her Bachelor of Arts in dance Vicki was awarded an apprenticeship with the internationally acclaimed and Tony Award winning choreographer of The Lion King, Garth Fagan of Garth Fagan Dance Co. in Rochester, NY.  After her work with Garth Fagan Dance, Vicki returned to academia to pursue her Master’s of Fine Arts in choreography and performance and her certificate in teaching K-12.  While pursuing her Masters, Vicki owned and managed Jubal Dance Company with a training studio in Rochester, N.Y. In addition to Jubal Dance, she co-founded In The Company Of Women, a dance company comprised of 5 women dedicated to making dance works that speak to social issues. While in Rochester, Vicki rebuilt the ballet program in the Dance Department at The Rochester School of Arts from 2001-2004. After 9 years in Rochester, N.Y.  Vicki returned to the Washington, D.C. area in 2005.  Vicki is currently in her 11th year of teaching dance in public education.


Click Link Below:
SPIRIT WINGS DANCE COMPANY
http://www.spirit-wings.com/#!instructors/ch2f

Carrie-Lenn Orr
(Dance Teacher)

Cari-Lenn Orr is a native North Carolinian. She attended The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Contemporary Studies, and later moved to New York City, New York to study at The Ailey School. In 2001, Ms. Orr graduated from Ailey’s Certificate Program and furthered her affiliation with the institution by assisting the former Director, the late Denise Jefferson. During her career in New York, Ms. Orr had the opportunity to work with notable artists and choreographers such as Matthew Rushing, Earl Mosley, Hope Boykin, Fredrick Moore and other well-known artists in the dance world. She also performed with a variety of dance and theater companies throughout the New York/New Jersey and D.C. area.
​
Ms. Orr was a guest artist with the Broadway cast of The Lion King for an annual fund-raising performance and held an apprenticeship with Urban Bush Women. Her passion for dance extended from the stage to the studio where she served on faculty for different outreach programs and art conservatories teaching dance to children and adults of all ages. Having returned back to North Carolina, Ms. Orr considers it a privilege to serve the community through instruction by using dance as a mode of communication to impact aspiring young artists in addition to the layperson that has an affinity to dance.


Click Link Below:
SPIRIT WINGS DANCE COMPANY http://www.spirit-wings.com/#!instructors/ch2f

  

(Founder)

Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas. His experiences of life in the rural South would later inspire some of his most memorable works. At age 12, he moved with his mother to Los Angeles, where he was introduced to dance by performances of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Katherine Dunham Dance Company. His formal dance training began with an introduction to Lester Horton’s classes by his friend, Carmen de Lavallade.  Horton, the founder of one of the first racially-integrated dance companies in the United States, became a mentor for Mr. Ailey as he embarked on his professional career. After Horton’s death in 1953, Mr. Ailey became director of the Lester Horton Dance Theater and began to choreograph his own works. In the 1950s and 60s, Mr. Ailey performed in four Broadway shows including House of Flowers and Jamaica. Mr. Ailey studied dance with Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Hanya Holm, and Karel Shook and also took acting classes with Stella Adler.  

In 1958, he founded Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to carry out his vision of a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. He established the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (now The Ailey School) in 1969 and formed the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (now Ailey II) in 1974. Mr. Ailey was a pioneer of programs promoting arts in education, particularly those benefiting underserved communities. Throughout his lifetime, he was awarded numerous honorary doctoral degrees, NAACP’s Spingarn Award, the United Nations Peace Medal, the Dance Magazine Award, the Capezio Award, and the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award. In 1988, he received the Kennedy Center Honor in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to American culture. When Mr. Ailey died on December 1, 1989, The New York Times said of him, “you didn’t need to have known [him] personally to have been touched by his humanity, enthusiasm and exuberance and his courageous stand for multi-racial brotherhood.”

In 1969, Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in Brooklyn, New York with an initial enrollment of 125 students. Guided by the belief that dance instruction should be made available to everyone, Mr. Ailey joined forces with Pearl Lang in 1970 to establish the American Dance Center in Manhattan.

In 1982, The Ailey School and its programs received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance and continue to flourish under the co-direction of Tracy Inman and Melanie Person. A prestigious faculty of dance professionals trains over 3,500 students annually in our full-time Professional Division and Junior Division Programs for aspiring dance students, and Ailey Extension classes for the general public.
Under the direction of Troy Powell, the School's junior company in residence, Ailey II, serves as a bridge between the School and the professional dance world.
In November 2004, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Ailey School moved to their permanent home, the Joan Weill Center for Dance, located in the heart of Manhattan's Theater District.  The 77,000sq ft structure houses 12 climate-controlled studios, equipped with sprung floors, pianos, sound systems, and state of the art acoustics.  It also is home to the 275-seat Ailey Citigroup Theater, physical therapy facilities, the Ailey Boutique, the library, student and faculty lounges, and administrative offices for the entire Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation.

Click Link Below:
The Ailey School
http://www.alvinailey.org/aileyextension/dance-fitness-classes-adults

 

                                       Tanika S. Walton

                                       (Artistic Director)

                                                  

Tanika S. Walton began her dance studies at the age of 9 in
 Newark, NJ at Garden State Ballet.  She has extensive dance

training and experience in teaching and performing, and has
been doing so for over 25 years.  Tanika, a graduate of the

University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in

Fine Arts - Dance, is also the Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Body and Soul Dance Center, where her mission is to strive

for excellence in dance education. Tanika and her husband,

Samuel are also founders of Walton Academy for the

Performing Arts, an A+ charter school of choice, designed to provide exceptional educational and artistic experiences, where she serves as the Director.

Tanika has performed and ministered through music and dance

all her life.    Of her many accomplishments, Tanika performed

as  a World Dancer at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center and

the NBA All Star Game.    She has been awarded for numerous

talent & scholarship  pageants and competitions.  Tanika has

taught and choreographed dances  at USF, St. Petersburg

Junior College, Tampa Preparatory. and several years at

Judy’s Dance Academy in Brandon, FL. 

Tanika has also worked with numerous churches, dance

ministries and youth groups facilitating dance workshops, conferences and choreographing dances for worship.  For the

past 7 years, Tanika has been a resident instructor and choreographer for Music & Dance Unto the Lord Conference
and Tampa Bay Ministries United in Tampa, FL.  Tanika is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

                                                           

                                                         






Click Links Below:
Body & Soul Dance Center (Florida)
http://www.bodyandsouldancecenter.com/BSDC/Home.html