Staff

Dance is a language…  We have a three-fold mission…  One, to take dance and music of the African diaspora and to communicate its histories, legends and political events.  Two, to create work that motivates people to live in harmony with our ecosystem.  Three, to create work that enables people to be more socially responsible toward each other and to live together in diversity.  I felt it was important for our work to not only be entertaining, but to also have an intellectual purpose and position about something.”   
 

————————————————–

Resident Artists

        *Dina Wright         *Fritzlyn Hector         *Jason Herbert         
       *Nathan Trice         *Nicole DeWeever         

————————————————–

Company Members

JOHARI MAYFIELD - (Rehearsal Director) - Double Dutch meeting Martha Graham meeting African dance meeting Edgar Allen Poe meeting Ballet meeting beatboxing best describes Johari Mayfield’s eclectic enclave of dance, theater, and, music, and digital media. As a movement storyteller who weaves tapestries of past memory to present reality, she strives transform the voyeur experience blurring the lines between technology, narrative flow, and movement. As a performer, she’s done it all from being a Voudoun priestess, to dodging explosives in a post modern “Porgy and Bess.” As a choreographer, Johari’s works have been well received in several venues both in the city and abroad including Dance New Amsterdam, P.S. 122, 45 Bleecker Theater, and the Spark Festival for Electronic Music and Art in Minneapolis. She was a recipient of an award for best choreography at the New York Fringe Festival in 2005. Currently, she is a soloist and the Rehearsal Director for Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company and a resident artist at HERE Arts Center.

————————————————–

AIMEE GRAHAM - Professional dancer currently on leave due to successful venture with “Fela” on Broadway. (Bio & Photo Coming Soon)

————————————————–

  
ASHLEY VICTORIA BROWN - Ashley Brown received her early dance training at the Ruth Williams Dance Studio. There she gained training in Tap, Modern/Jazz, West African, Ballet and Pointe. Ashley continued her study of dance at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, USDAN for the Performing Arts and the Uptown Dance Studio, where she was a principle dance member. Ashley received her Bachelors degree in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science from the State University of New York at Oswego.

————————————————–

ANGELA POPE - Angela Pope is a 2005 honors graduate of Marygrove College, with a B.A. in Dance Theater Performance and Education. Angela began her dance training under the direction of Penny Godboldo and Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson where she learned that her love for dance was no longer a hobby but a way of life. Angela has toured as a backup dancer and soloist for Charlie Wilson, Stevie Wonder at Superbowl XL, and shot a commercial for MTV. She has performed works created by JoAnn Danto, Sidra Bell, Pattie Obey, Danny Catanach, Otis Sallid, and many more. Angela is currently studying for a Masters degree in the Art of Teaching  at Kaplan University.

————————————————–

CATHERINE FOSTER - from Washington, DC.  received her training from the DC Youth Ensemble, Baltimore School for the Arts, and at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.  She was a finalist and 2nd place winner in the National Arts Recognition, in Miami, FL.  Ms. Foster has worked with and performed the works of noted choreographers including Kevin “Iega” Jeff, Donald Bryd, and Hinton Battle.  While at D.C.Y.E. she performed at the International Conference of Blacks in Dance.  Catherine divides her time between two exciting dance companies, the Fred Benjamin Dance Company (artistic director Fred Benjamin) and Forces of Nature. Catherine also feels honored and truly blessed to currently be apart of the FELA! cast and family. Catherine thanks her ancestors and loved ones for her success and guidance!

————————————————–

CHARMIAN WELLS - Charmian Wells is co-director of Refractions Dance Collective (RDC) founded in May of 2003. She received her BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has been commissioned to choreograph several performances for Consortium of the Arts in California and Washington D.C. She has also performed with Martha Bowers’ Dance Theater Etc. Charmian has been dancing with Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company since 2006. www.refractionsdance.org / facebook Pg under “Refractions Dance Collective”

————————————————–

  
CHENOA BROWN-PIERRE - Chenoa Brown was born and raised in Corona, Queens, NY to Anita Brown and William M Gatling Jr. She began dancing at the age of 3 at the Encore Dance School in Corona, Queens, NY. Currently she is an instructor at Dena’s School of the Arts. She gives many thanks to the Creator to have the opportunity to work with the children of her community. She has performed with various choreographers throughout the state and at various venues. Fate brought her to FONDT in 2004 and she is extremely blessed to continue to have the opportunity to perform and tour with the company.

————————————————–

COREY BAKER   - Professional dancer currently on leave due to successful venture with “Fela” on Broadway. (Bio & Photo Coming Soon)

————————————————–

 
COURTNEY LEWIS  Courtney is a native of Queens, New York where she began classical training at Dance Theatre of Harlem at the age of 3. While continuing her dance training at DTH, she was accepted into LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and SUNY Purchase dance programs. She has been given the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Arthur Mitchell, Robert Garland, Zvi Gotheiner, Janis Brenner, Troy Brown, Hope Boykin, Kevin Wynn, and Sidra Bell. She joined Forces of Nature in 2006.

————————————————–

 
DAAIMAH TAALIB-DIN - was born and raised in Harlem with family roots in Bermuda. She began studying the art of African Dance eighteen years ago under Karen Thornton. She later went on to study under Nafisa Sharriff and Mouminatou Camara. For eight years she taught Schomburg Plaza’s youth different dance styles ranging from Hip-Hop to African Dance and at Jackie Robinson in Brooklyn. Daaimah currently teaches African Dance at the Future Leaders Institute’s Charter School, All Saints Catholic School, Woodycrest Center and Harlem School of the Arts. She has been with Forces of Nature Dance Theater since 2002, serves as the rehearsal director for Seewe African Dance Company, a member of Asabi N’Goma Dance, and former member of Bambabra Drum and Dance Ensemble.

————————————————–

 
DENICA ABDUR-RAZZAAQ - Born and raised in Harlem with family roots in Bermuda, started out as a Hip-Hop dancer and began studying the art of West African Dance eighteen years ago under Karen Thornton. She also credits her Traditional training to Nafisa Sharriff and Mouminatou Camara. Denica joined Forces in August of 2002. She is also a company member of Seewe African Dance Company, Asabi N’goma Dance Theatre and formerly Bambara Drum and Dance Ensemble. She currently teaches at the Vanderbilt YMCA, Uptown Dance Academy and has her own company D.A.R. Essence of Life. She is also a board member of Entering the Holy of Holies, a Spiritual and Educational organization, founded by Nafisa Sharriff www.ethoh.org.

————————————————–

FATIMA LOGAN - Fatima Logan, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography. A recipient of the Joan Oates Dance Education Award and The Carpenter Scholarship for excellence in dance and education, Logan teaches dance at Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter School and Yong Audiences New York. Logan has danced with Chuck Davis’s African-American Dance Ensemble, Ezibu Muntu African Dance Theatre, and is excited to join Forces of Nature Dance Theater.

————————————————–

FELIX RONALD - was born in Haiti. He began his traditional dance training under Marie Bass,  Babacar M/Baye & Youssouf Koumbassa at the Fareta Dance studio in New York City. He performed with Maimouna Keita Dance Company, worked with several solo artists from the Caribbean, and has appeared in several music video’s as both a dancer and as part of the production/camera crews. “I thank the creator for constantly blessing me with  opportunity to work with Abdel R. Salaam/Forces of Nature.

————————————————

JEFFREY L. PAGE   - Professional dancer currently on leave due to successful venture with “Fela” on Broadway. (Bio & Photo Coming Soon)

————————————————

KRYSTAL BUTLER - (Washington, DC) graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts where she trained in Ballet and Horton technique under the direction of Charles Auggins and Sandra Fortune. After high school, she received a scholarship to the American Dance Festival in 2004 and again in 2008. She now holds a B.F.A. degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus in Dance Performance. Butler has worked with artists such as Louis Johnson, Christopher Huggins, Robert Battle, Earl Mosley, Astrid Von Ussar, Camille Brown, and Dianne McIntyre, to name a few. In 2006, Krystal performed as a dancer with the theater company, “Art Creates Life.” She also performed in the play “JUNKANOO” at venues such as the Lincoln Theater in Washington, DC and at the National Theatre of Dakar in Dakar, Senegal. As a teaching artist, Ms. Butler has taught at the Bronx Leadership Academy and currently instructs at CAMBA Kids Excel Afterschool Program in Brooklyn. Krystal is currently in her first season with Forces of Nature Dance Theater, onside of performing with INSPIRIT, a dance company under the direction of Christal Brown. When she is not performing, she choreographs her own work and has plans for a new 2010 project.

————————————————–

NATALIE “LADYBLACK” SIMMONS - Natalie ‘Ladyblack’ Simmons is a modern day renaissance woman, born and raised in Queens, NY. After graduating from CCNY with a B.A. in Political Science she turned her focus on Youth and Community Development and the Arts. LadyBlack began her professional dance career with Ayiti La Dance Company in 2000 where she focused on traditional Haitian dance. Ladyblack joined Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company in July of 2003.

————————————————–

MELISSA PADHAM - Melissa Padham was born and raised in Warwick, NY where she received the majority of her dance training at the Dancer’s Studio. Melissa holds a BFA in Dance from The Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. In 2005 Ms. Padham began dancing with Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and is currently a member of Darrah Carr Dance.

————————————————–

MIMI “L WOODS” WOODS - L. Woods, better known as Mimi to her family and friends, has been dancing since the age of six. She began her formal training (with her mom’s enthusiastic encouragement) at the Ruth Williams Dance Studio, where she studied Ballet, Modern, African, and Jazz for 12 years. During this time, she also studied at Dance Theater of Harlem and the Uptown Dance Academy. After high school, L. Woods continued to pursue dancing in college in which she joined The Black Dance Repertoire and served as Vice-President of the organization. After returning back to her hometown of New York City, L. Woods continued her love for the art of dancing by dancing backup for Chrisette Michelle and becoming a member of the Kaoka Dance Company. Ms. Woods is blessed and deeply humbled to be able to grace the stage with the talented and beautiful members of Forces of Nature.  We are a force within nature!  And she dedicates each performance to her love ones, especially her Mom!

————————————————–

NAIMAH ZAKIYYAH SALEEM - (Washington, DC) Ms. Saleem started her performing arts/dance training from The DC Youth Ensemble under the direction of Mrs. Carol Foster. She continued training at Duke Ellington School of the Arts High School (Dance Dept); next she received her B.F.A. in dance from New World School of the Arts/ University of Florida in Miami, Fl. While in Miami she became a member of the NBA’s Miami Heat dancers (2005-2007). Following college she apprenticed for Garth Fagan Dance Company. Ms. Saleem has had the honor to perform works of Robert Battle, Donald Byrd’s Harlem Nutcracker, Mohammed DeCosta, Gerard Ebitz, Bill Evans, Garth Fagan, Christopher Huggins, Peter London, Kevin Malone, and Paul Taylor. Ms. Saleem has also performed internally in Africa, Austria, Bermuda, Haiti and Taiwan.  Ms. Saleem would like to thank ALLAH (God) for all the blessings and opportunities, her supportive family, friends, teachers and mentors.

————————————————–

  
NATALIE L. STEPHEN - Born on the Upper West Side of Manhattan , Natalie has always had a true passion for dance.  At the tender age of 4, Natalie’s mother realized that she was a talented dancer.  She immediately enrolled Natalie in a dance program where she would learn the fundamentals  of the dance life.  Since then shehas never stopped dancing. Natalie has worked with Ruth Williams Dance Studio, Orchesis Dance Company and Sankofa Dance Company. She is currently a member of Harambee Dance Company and Forces of Nature. Natalie graduated from Virginia State University where she recieved her Bachelor of Science in Biology Pre- Med. She currently works at New York Presbyterian Hospital where she is part of their care management team. Natalie is very thankful for her family and friends who always support and inspire her to dance.

————————————————–

 
WILLIE BROWN JR. - is a native of Springfield, Ma.  He began his dance training at the age of 21, attending a small community college in his hometown.  He later transferred to the University of Massachusetts, where he received a BFA in dance.  Mr. Brown’s movement concepts have been heavily influenced by two unique collaborations with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (Urban Bush Woman) on a re-staging of Ms. Pearl Primus’ Bushasche and honoring Katherine Dunham at The Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival in 2002.  Throughout his career he’s studied and performed works by such noted choreographers as: Garth Fagan, Katherine Dunham, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Homer Avilla & Edisa Weeks, Augusto Soledade, Giovanni Luquini, Marilyn & Sekou Sylla and Abdel Salaam.  Mr. Brown toured nationally & internationally with The Garth Fagan Dance Company for one season.   After his departure he relocated to Miami, Fl. where he continued to perform and teach dance at Florida International University for two years.  He studied Afro-Brazilian dance forms with Clyde Morgan and Augusto Soledade while residing in Miami. Mr. Brown has been teaching West African dance and Afro-Brazilian dance at the NHSDF (National High School Dance Festival) since 2006.  Currently he’s a freelance artist teaching and performing in Philadelphia & New York City.

————————————————–

Apprentices

   Afaliah Tribune                            Britney Lauren Sandifer
 Edwardo Brito             Perdella Jn. Baptiste    
Jae Ponder                               Watkins Smith
                                                                                                                        Jr.
Frank Miller                     Tricia Taitt
Bronwyn Taylor

————————————————–

Musicians

*Abdel Salaam        *Kofi (Osei)  Williams         *Kojo Johnson         

*Kwesi Nkroma         *Micheal Wimberly         *Senfu Stoney         

————————————————–

Administrative Staff

EUGENE NILES - (Administrative Assistant / Wardrobe  Director) - A native of Boston, Eugene started dancing at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Following that, coming to New York City he continued his studies at the Alvin Ailey school under the certificate program. Mr. Niles has performed with the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre, Michiyo and Dancers, was a guest performer with M’Fata Dance Co., Milton Myers Dance Co., etc. He has also danced on various off Broadway Theatre venues. Mr. Niles was dance ensemble member of Gordon Parks Jr. ’s film “Martin” for C.P.B. Eugene joined F.O.N.D.T. in 1988 performing with the company as well operating in the administrative and costume department.

————————————————–

Seeking Administrative Assistant! inquire within

————————————————–

Creative Staff 

*Lighting Supervisor - Temishia Johnson              *Tech Director - Coming Soon
*Lighting Designer - William H. Grant II               *Lighting Designer - Nick Hung