Question 1

SHONICA GOODEN (Executive Artistic Director)

Accepted Answer

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Shonica Gooden is a passionate, triple threat performer from Atlanta, GA. While Growing up in Atlanta, Shonica attended DanceMakers of Atlanta and Dekalb School of the Arts. She continued her training on a collegiate level at Point Park University where she received a BFA in Dance. Throughout the past 11 years, Shonica has had the privilege and honor of being a part of critically acclaimed shows such as Hamilton: An American Musical (Broadway), CATS (Rumpleteazer; Broadway Revival), Bring It On: The Musical (Broadway & 1st National), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway)  American Dance Machine (Sweet Georgia Brown; Joyce Theatre), National Tour of Matilda The Musical, Piece of My Heart,  FLY (La Jolla Playhouse), Memphis (Felicia, CFRT), Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope; (City Center), and Sister Act (Deloris; Music Theatre Wichita). TV/Film: Fosse/Verdon, Manifest, Almost Family, Ted 2 and The First Purge.
 
Shonica’s newest and greatest accomplishment is giving birth to her pride and joy, her baby boy Grant. Jeremiah 29:11

Question 2

JAMAL WHITE (CEO of Creative Strategy and Community Engagement)

Accepted Answer

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Jamal White (Birmingham, AL) was raised in Atlanta, GA and began his training at and Dance Makers of Atlanta under the direction of Denise and Lynise Heard. He studied as a scholarship student at Ballethnic Dance Academy, Virginia School of the Arts and trained in intensive programs at Kirov Academy of Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and London Contemporary Dance School. In 2011, Mr. White received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University, since he has performed works by choreographers such as Nicolo Fonte, George Balanchine, Dwight Rhoden, Alvin Ailey, Stijn Celis, Richard Siegal, and Hofesh Shechter. He has also performed in Rasta Thomas' Rock the Ballet, Missouri Ballet Theater, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Alvin Ailey II, Collage Dance Collective, and currently BODYTRAFFIC. Jamal has made creations at Southern Methodist University, Dean College, London Contemporary Dance School, Troy University , BODYTRAFFIC, Deeply Rooted Youth Ensemble and The Ailey School. Jamal has also taught and created for many arts exchange and outreach programs in the United States and abroad such as Steps on Broadway, Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance, and the Ailey School. He’s had the pleasure of creating a new work for Company D; A Memphis based contemporary dance company for adults with down syndrome.
 
Jamal is currently on the ballet faculty at Celebrity Dance Convention, Artistic Fellow at BODYTRAFFIC, one of the founding members of The Black Artists Dance Collective, and studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in the M.F.A Choreography program. Most recently Jamal serves as Assistant Professor of Dance at Marymount Manhattan College.

Question 3

JASMINE WILDE

Accepted Answer

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Business & Wellness Consultant
Education: Middle Tennessee State University
B.A. Liberal Arts / Writing
​
Processional Credits
Tours: Rihanna Loud tour, Home and Home Jay Z and Eminem tour, B.o.B Japan tour, Shooting Stars tour, Paramore UK tour +
Shows: BMI urban music awards, MTV video music awards, Perez Hilton‘s one night in Chicago, The Grammy nominations concert +
TV: Mindful Meditation with Miss Wilde
• Reiki Practitioner
• Sound bath and meditation facilitator  
• Ultrasound Boutique owner

Question 4

XAVIER WILCHER

Accepted Answer

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Dancer, Choreographer, and Actor are all credits on Xavier Wilcher’s extensive resume. Xavier “Professor X” Wilcher is one the most highly respected and requested entertainers in the business today. Xavier is very unique in the dance industry. His versatility in skill and technique makes him stand out in an industry full of talent. 
Xavier is well known for his signature hip hop
style and his extensive training as a competition dancer in traditional genres of dance such as: Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and Contemporary. He has worked with some of the most influential and sought after choreographers in the business, such people include, Fatima Robinson, Laurie Ann Gibson, Jamal Sims, Todd Sams, Flii Stylz, Aakomon Jones, Jamaica Craft, Sean Bankhead, Jaquel Knight, Dondraico Johnson, and many others.

Xavier has also had the privilege to share the stage/screen with artist such as Sean Combs, Usher, Jason Derulo, Missy Elliott, Neyo, Ludacris, Black Eyed Peas, Flo-Rida, Tinashe, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharrell just to name a few. Most recently Xavier has had his focus on being on the big screen. Consistently training in Acting at the LS Studios in Atlanta, GA, directing and creating content for social media, and doing artist development.

Xavier is on his way to becoming a household name. He has been blessed with the opportunities to work in front of and behind the camera as choreographer and dancer for several productions such Star on Fox Season 1-3, American Soul Season 1, Step Up: High Water Season 1, The Wiz Live, Stomp The Yard 1 & 2, Coming 2 America, Black Panther 2, Doom Patrol, The Game, And The Color Purple. He also just made his acting debut as a lead in feature film “Be Careful What You Ask For” streaming on Tubi.

Question 5

BRITTANY FLEET

Accepted Answer

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Brittany Fleet (Baltimore,MD) studied Ballet and Modern at SUNY Purchase receiving her Bachelors of Fine arts in Dance. Brittany has used her professional experience and training to develop into a teacher, choreographer and mentor to many young dancers. She believes that training the body is just as important as focusing on the dancer's mentality.

Her personal journey led her to launch FLEET Dance Coaching LLC (Atlanta, GA) and made her the coach that she is today. Her promise is to offer knowledge and individualized training to develop a strong mind and body. Always striving to grow as her students grow. With a strong emphasis on community. September 2022 Brittany was awarded the ABT RISE scholarship to then received the Teacher certification from the world renowned American Ballet Theatre. She was also awarded By PUMA xJune Ambrose Neighbor-HOOD hall of fame for the work that she does for the dance community. Selected as a guest instructor for the Majorie and Steve Harvey Foundation, she strives to give back and to teach all about fine arts. Fleet Dance Coaching LLC. has gained recognition by Brown Girls do Ballet and has received rewarded Best of Atlanta award 2022 in Career Guidance.

Question 6

DIDDI EMAH

Accepted Answer

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Edidiong “Diddi” Emah is a world class, Nigerian American Performing Artist, Creative Director, Choreographer, Dancer,  entrepreneur and philanthropist with with over 19+ years of professional entertainment experience. She is best known for her jaw dropping Baton Solo feature in Beyonce's Netflix movie entitled Homecoming and has most recently joined the Marvel franchise as Black Panther 2’s assistant choreographer, dancer, cultural advisor, booking agent and location scout. Her other credits include: Missy, Usher, J-LO, Little Mix, Fifth Harmony, Rotimi, Ciara, Ludacris, Davido, Star on Fox, Watchmen on HBO, Netflix, National Geographic’s and many more. She is the CEO of The Glo Firm, LLC; a virtual talent and entertainment consulting agency recently landing a booking deal with Marvel Studios and Seven Bucks Productions. After performance coaching artist for over a decade, Diddi Emah has developed a sound of her own that mixes her heritage and hip-hop culture to audiences across the world. That sound caught the attention of Lions Gate Film resulting in her musical debut being featured in the Step Up Series reaching 1 Billion + views world wide. Diddi Emah aspires to inspire young African creatives to live their dream unapologetically.

Question 7

SYD WORTHY

Accepted Answer

Syd Worthy

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Question 8

CECE TOR

Accepted Answer

Cece Tor is a Liberian American professional choreographer and dancer. Her career in dance began at the age of 16 where she trained in jazz, ballet, African, hip hop, and tap. Her love for her African culture lead her to focus on the contemporary  and traditional styles of Africa and the diaspora. She has traveled and trained in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and South Africa. Her credits include television and films such as “Black Panther 2,”  “Step up” the series, and HBOs “Eyes on the prize.” She currently holds the winning title for Red Bull Culture Clash 2023 and Red Bull Dance Your style, where she was the in the first #TEAMAFRICA in Red Bull History. She has shared the stage and screen with artists such as Yemi Alade, Drake, Teyana Taylor, Jessie J, to name a few and was the official choreographer for Chop Vegas 2021 and Afronation festival US 2022. She hopes to continue spreading her love of culture through dance and the everyday ppl platform, while bringing awareness to the talent and beauty that Africa radiates.

Question 9

JAY JONES

Accepted Answer

Jay Jones is an award winning Theatre actor  with over 30 credits on his impressive resume (his most recent work in Katori Halls HOT WING KING @ The Alliance Theater earned him a coveted SUZI AWARD nomination) , author and ACTORVIST. 
Jay has also been a very busy film and TV actor. Among many other recent roles on TOM SWIFT (WB), SAINTS & SINNERS (Bounce), ATLANTA (FX) and CREEPSHOW (Shudder) Jay has been a recurring character (Vernon Hall) on the popular Netflix series SWEET MAGNOLIA for the past 2 seasons and can be seen in the highly anticipated 3rd season of the hit show P-Valley as the hot headed PRINCE. 
Jay is founder of the Keep Inspiring Next GenerationS (K.I.N.G) in school male empowerment mentoring program and a founding  member of the Black Gents, a male empowerment organization using the arts and entertainment as a change agent. Jay is also the founder of ONSTAGE Life Skills Training and a highly sought after acting coach that utilizes stage, screen and television training techniques to help create unforgettable characters!

Question 10

Zoe Hollinshead

Accepted Answer

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The American dancer Zoe Hollinshead started her dance training in Atlanta at DanceMakers and Spelman College. In May 2019, she graduated from The Juilliard School in New York where she received a Bachelor's degree. Hollinshead has worked with choreographers such as Stefanie Batten-Bland, Helen Simoneau, Kate Skarpetowska, Twyla Tharp, Roy Assaf, Nacho Duato and Alejandro Cerrudo. Since September 2019 she has been dancing with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. Here, she has danced in the opera Rusalka directed by Alan Lucien Øyen, and in dance performances such as Noetic by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the world premiering creation Palmos by Andonis Foniadakis, Half Life by Sharon Eyal and Mozart/Concert Arias. Un moto di gioia choreographed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Since 2022, Zoe Hollinshead has been teaching workshops in the context of Black History Month.

Question 11

TERRANCE MARTIN

Accepted Answer

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Terrance Martin is a Lithonia, Georgia born and raised Artist. Beginning his performing arts training at DeKalb School of the Arts and DanceMakers of Atlanta. Terrance was able to continue his training and receive a B.F.A in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, on a full ride scholarship. Since leaving UArts, Terrance has performed and taught Master Classes around the world, and had the privilege to be on judge’s panels for many dance competitions.

Some of his favorite Musical Theatre credits include;  Angelica Tour/1st Natl. Tour of Hamilton: An American Musical (Swing); Zorro the International China Tour; Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID (Sebastian), MY FAIR LADY (Harry), MAMA MIA (Eddie), FOOTLOOSE (Travis), WEST SIDE STORY (Pepe) Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; IN THE HEIGHTS

Terrance has also had the privilege to perform ballets choreographed by: Ronald K. Brown, Camille Brown, Earl Mosley, Louise Johnson, Ronen Koresh, Cindy Saigado, Zane Booker, Brian Sanders, Wayne St.David, Donald Lunsford, Pamela Jones- Malave and Molly Misgalla.

Terrance is also a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA)
Website; www.terrancemartin1.com (http://www.terrancemartin1.com/) Instagram: @terrance_martin

Question 12

IMANI SPANN

Accepted Answer

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Imani Spann is a 23 year old dancer, actor, music producer and all-around renaissance woman. She is an artist who was literally born and raised on stage. She is a native of Decatur, Georgia where she began her dance training at the age of three with Minister Barbara Sullivan at Greenforest Academy. Imani received further intense training in various genres and styles of dance at DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts, DeKalb School of the Arts, Gaithers School of Dance, DanceMakers of Atlanta, ATLA Connect, and Suny Purchase Conservatory of Dance. She trained as an actor as well and made her professional debut as a credited actor and dancer on Boomerang, the BET series. Imani currently works as a commercial dancer based in Atlanta, GA and is represented by Xcel Talent Agency.

Imani has appeared in other TV shows and films to include STEP Up Season 3, The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray, and Praise This. She is featured in Doja Cat’s award winning music video, “Woman” and can also be seen in other music videos such as SZA and Summer Walker’s “No Love” video, SZA’s “Shirt” visual and Baby Tate’s “Rainbow Cadillac” video. Imani’s other credits include: Yung Joc, Wocka Flocka, Crime Mob, Rotimi, Pharell, Lil Kim, Kanye West, and The City Girls. Imani is currently on tour with the Grammy nominated hip hop artist known as Glorilla.

Question 13

BRAD RAYMOND

Accepted Answer

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Brad Raymond is so excited to be joining the TBDA Collective Faculty as
Vocal Instructor! After spending almost 10 years in Chicago as an arts
educator and the Artistic Director of a performing arts school, Brad
choose to pursue his career as an artist full-time and has been working
professionally for over 15 years.

Brad has performed as an actor, singer or conductor at some of the art
world’s most esteemed institutions; including the Lyric Opera of
Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Light Opera Works of Chicago,
the Ravinia Festival, Arena Stage, The Broad Stage, The Alliance Theatre,
the Denver Center, Atlanta Opera, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre,
Theater Emory, Horizon Theatre and Spivey Hall.

Some of Brad’s favorite roles include: Homer in Lilies of the Field, Fetch
in Fetch, Clay Make Man and Ronald in Born For This and his Suzi Bass
Award winning performance as Blue in Chasin Dem Blues . Look for
Brad as Big Slim this December in the much anticipated film version of
The Color Purple musical starring Fantasia Barrino.

Question 14

BRANNDI LEWIS

Accepted Answer

Branndi earned her Bachelor's of Science from the University of Florida's College of Health & Human Performance in 2013, along with a concentration in Dance Performance and Composition. After completing her degree, she participated in the Pedagogy program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she received comprehensive instruction in implementing Horton technique education.
Branndi's 8-year odyssey as a Dance Educator commenced at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in 2015, where she taught an array of subjects including Horton, Contemporary, Improvisation, Dance Career Preparation, Dance History, and Composition. 
In 2022, she received an invitation to create a new work for the Professional Division at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which sparked her freelance choreographic career.
Branndi has fulfilled choreographic and dance education commissions at various South Florida institutions, as well as highly respected schools such as The Ailey School, Marymount Manhattan College, The Lovett School, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Dekalb School of the Arts, Rice University and more. 
Branndi's recent achievements include being granted the 2023 Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship at The School at Jacob's Pillow, where she participated in an immersive program under the guidance of mentors Risa Steinberg and Dianne McIntyre. Additionally, She was recognized as runner-up for the University of Florida's School of Theater and Dance Alumni Award.
Branndi has a proven track record of coaching and training up-and-coming artists, many of whom have secured admission to esteemed institutions such as The Julliard School, Oklahoma University, Pace University, New York University, Ailey/Fordham, University of Utah, University of Southern California, Boston Conservatory, and numerous others. She has also mentored students who have earned prestigious national accolades, including YoungArts finalists and Presidential Scholar in modern and contemporary dance.

Question 15

AKEEM EDWARDS

Accepted Answer

Akeem Edwards is a published Creative Entrepreneur and native of Jacksonville, Florida. He began his dance training at the age of 16 at Jacksonville Centre of the Arts. Edwards is equipped with knowledge in various styles such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, West-African, Salsa, Tango, Swing, Aerial (Lyra, Silks), Partnering, Contemporary and Hip-hop. 
After receiving his B.A. in Psychology he relocated to Atlanta in 2016. Since then he has worked with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, B.E.T., Showtime, Tyler Perry, Debbie Allen, Garth Fagan Dance, Anthony Burrell and many others. In addition to television and film, Edwards has a passion for teaching, performing, writing, directing, and designing. 
Creatively Edwards is inspired by music and new experiences. He aims to capture the attention of multigenerational audiences by connecting to raw human emotion through riveting athleticism, intriguing transitions and nuanced musicality. 
Akeem looks forward to connecting with other creatives and sharing insight on how we can help each other along our journeys. He is especially excited for his first season with TBADC as a choreographer and looks forward to future collaborations!

Question 16

JEFFERY DUFFY

Accepted Answer

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Mr. Duffy received his BFA from The Juilliard School. He has taught Freelance at New York University’s School of Professional Studies, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, Braswell Arts Center in Basel, Switzerland, MOVE(NYC), Spelman College, Atlanta Ballet School and Summer Intensives, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Impassioned Dance Center, British Academy of the Performing Arts, DanceMakerz of Atlanta, Central Gwinnett HighSchool, and Eglevsky Ballet.

National Tours: Ensemble in HAMILTON (First National Tour); Charles Lee in HAMILTON (The Hollywood Pantages Theater); Ensemble Swing in HAMILTON Broadway in Chicago (CIBC Theater); Choreographer: First Deep Breath (The National Black Theater) written by Lee Colston. Fight Choreographer: The Color Purple (City Springs Theater). Assistant Choreographer: West Side Story (City Springs Theater).

TV and Film: A Jazzman’s Blues Netflix), Fox New Year’s Party with Steve Harvey; “HOPE” music video by Blood Orange. Mr. Duffy teaches and choreographs movement locally, nationally, and internationally with a world-renowned performance career. Princess Grace Fellowship Recipient; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. “Top 25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Licensed GYROTONIC® Instructor currently taking new clients at ActivCore in Atlanta, Georgia. Member of SAG-AFTRA.

Question 17

SEAN AARON CARMON

Accepted Answer

SEAN AARON CARMON graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance program and danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for nearly a decade. He has performed major solo roles including Mikhail Baryshnikov’s original role in Alvin Ailey’s “Pas de Duke” and featured roles in ballets by other notable choreographers such as Judith Jamison, Wayne McGregor, Robert Battle, Aszure Barton, Johan Inger, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Jiri Kylian, to name only a few. In addition, he has been featured on “Conan,” the national TBS television talk show, “Good Morning America,” “LIVE with Regis and Kelly,” “Lincoln Center at the Movies,” broadcast nationally on PBS, and he was profiled in the Huffington Post. As a musical theatre performer, Sean has been featured on Broadway, regional theatre and national tour stages across North America in “La Cage aux Folles” (Original Broadway Cast), “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Disney’s The Lion King,” “Kinky Boots” and “Ragtime.” Mr. Carmon is a YAGP Outstanding Choreographer, won The Joffrey Ballet’s Winning Works award and has won Audience Choice awards on several occasions. He has also created works on the AAADT for multiple benefit performances. In addition to directing the Vitacca Ballet Studio Company in Houston, Mr. Carmon choreographs and teaches master classes for festivals, companies, studios and universities across the country and internationally.

Question 18

DAVID FREELAND

Accepted Answer

David Adrian Freeland, Jr. received his early dance training at LaVilla School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL and at the Jacksonville Centre of the Arts. He furthered his dance studies at several prestigious intensive programs affiliated with The Juilliard School, Nashville Ballet, Atlanta Festival Ballet, and the Bates Dance Festival. David attended the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase College and began working toward his BFA in Dance before being invited to join Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where he danced for three years. During this time, he performed seminal works by Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, as well as new works by Troy Powell, Dwight Rhoden, Jennifer Archibald, Amy Hall-Garner, Malcolm Low, and Donald Byrd, among others. David’s professional experience also includes seasons performing with The Metropolitan Opera and Missouri Ballet Theatre. In 2016, David joined L.A. Dance Project where he has both created roles and danced in important stage and film works by Benjamin Millepied, Kyle Abraham, Justin Peck, Ohad Naharin, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Roy Assaf, Noé Soulier, and Shannon Gillen. David is the proud recipient of a 2018 Princess Grace Award in Dance.

Question 19

NICKY BUGGS

Accepted Answer

This former Co-Director of the regionally celebrated Atlanta Chiefs Cheerleaders was a
dancer with the world-renowned NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Having performed
in several Super Bowls and Playoff Championship games, Nicky was also a member of
the notable NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancers, as well as the Captain of the Dallas
Desperados Arena Football Cheerleaders. A technically trained dancer of 14-years, Nicky
is a native of Manhattan, New York who has also choreographed for leagues such as the
NBA, NFL and AFL. She began her dance training with Dance Theatre of Harlem and
Julliard and ultimately received multiple scholarships with Alvin Ailey, Gus Giordano,
Tremaine, LA Dance Force and a few other revered and acclaimed companies. As an
actor (film, television and commercials), a few of her national and regional accolades
include: “One Tree Hill”, “Greenleaf” and “MacGyver” and recurring roles on the hit
shows, "Powers", “Army Wives” and “The Vampire Diaries”. Nicky also guest-starred
along side Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson and Sophie
Okonedo in the critically acclaimed book written by Sue Monk Kidd turned movie, “The
Secret Life of Bees”, “Fighting Temptations”, “Marry Me” starring Lucy Liu ,“Playing
the Field” starring Gerard Butler from the movie “300” and the made for TV movie,
“Firelight” playing the wife of Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. for whom she
has worked with twice. A couple of Nicky’s National Broadway theatre journeys include:
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” as Mrs. Potiphar/Assistant
Choreographer and Dance Captain, “Kiss Me Kate” and “West Side Story” as “Anita”.
In Nicky’s spare time, she also moonlights as a Producer, AD and Acting Coach for Film
and Television and Director for Theatre.

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