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New LEJA Dances, the company
Cathy Ashton dances an emotionally charged solo named 'the Hope'
by Stevie Wonder. She has been living and dancing in Philadelphia for the past
2 years with Danco2, Underground DanceWorks, 2020 Productions and New LEJA
Dances, the company. She received the majority of her dance training in her
hometown of Buffalo, NY and holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from SUNY at
Buffalo. After graduation she moved to Chicago and danced with The Willingham
Project and the Joel Hall Dancers. She has also taught dance in Buffalo,
Chicago and Philadelphia. Cathy is excited to be a part of this production.
Eisa Jackson (is the character, 'Shy', dancing in, "Suite Prince 4U"
) began dancing at the age of four and received her pre-professional dance
training at DANCE! by Debra DiNote in Turnersville, NJ. She then went on to
attend Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where she received her Bachelor
of Fine Arts in Dance and graduated summa cum laude. She has apprenticed with
the River North Dance Company in Chicago and danced with the Atlantic City
Dance Theatre under the direction of Patti Harris. Eisa is a founding and
current member of Underground DanceWorks, as well as a member of the
Philadelphia Civic Ballet, and the Dancelectric Company. She is also an
ensemble dancer in the play “Hypocrisy” which will be performed at The Painted
Bride Art Center May 19-29. In addition to performing, Eisa teaches dance
throughout the South Jersey area. This is her first season with New LEJA
Dances, the company
Rebecca Millard, laying it out in the "Finale" of Suite Prince 4U
, originally from Allentown, PA, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Temple
University. She has performed at the Arts Bank, Community Education Center,
and Conwell Dance Theater, where she also produced some of her own
choreography. Currently, Rebecca is also dancing with the Amanda Diorio Dance
Company and teaching modern and ballet at Encore Dance Studio in Emmaus, PA.
Jovonna Parks was 14 years old dancing the lead in "Daddy Why?"
and is cureently a sophmore at Bodine High School for International Affairs.
Her aspirations are to attend Juilliard and continue to study dance. In
Jovonna’s ten years of dancing she has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, modern
and musical theater. She has been studying at the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center
for seven years. Jovonna is also a company member of Dancefusion’s fusion2 and
has performed with Dancefusion in “Christina’s World.” Jovonna is
pre-apprentice with New LEJA Dances, the company
Nicholas Pesini (seen here in 'Punk' of Suite Prince 4U), born
and raised in Philadelphia, he enjoys various forms of dance, but is truly a
taper at heart. He began his dance training at the age of seven at Motion n’
Dance Performing Arts Academy in the Northeast section of the city. In
addition to appearing in many local variety shows, Nick also appeared in the
movie "Two Bits" at the age of eight. As a freshman, Nick attended the
Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and furthered his
training. As a dance major he studied various ballet, modern, and jazz
techniques and performed with the CAPA Dance Company at numerous locations and
events throughout the Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas. Since the start of
his career, he's won many awards at regional and national competitions and has
performed in Branson, Missouri and Las Vegas. Since graduating from high
school Nick has slowly made the transition from student into the role of
teacher/choreographer at Motion n’ Dance Performing Arts Academy, passing his
gift and passion for expression through movement onto the next generation of
students coming up behind him. Now at the age of twenty, Nick is making his
first official appearance with the LEJA Dances, the company as an apprentice.
Peter Nicholas Sabasino, (in 'Funk' of "Suite Prince 4U"
) pre- apprentice to New LEJA(Philadelphia, PA), began his journey through the
dance world at age seven when he convinced his parents to allow him to visit a
local dance studio to take a jazz class. He was right at home in the dance
world and two years later, he won the national title U.S. Junior Mr. Dance.
Years later, he would repeat this as U.S. Mr. Dance 2002 and simultaneously
was the only male to represent the U.S. National Dance Team. Peter’s natural
sense of rhythm and musicality allowed him to excel in the tap discipline. He
has twice been a featured dancer in the nationally televised Boscov’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade. Peter has trained with Mia Michaels, choreographer to
Janet Jackson and Prince, Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, LaVaughn Robinson, Jimmy
Slyde and the late great Mr. Gregory Hines who is Peter’s inspiration. Peter
choreographs all forms of dance including Hip-Hop, which allowed him to work
with Darrin Henson, choreographer to NSYNC and Jennifer Lopez. Other
choreographic work include: 2003 Mummers New Year’s Parade, the Fancy Brigades
and numbers for dance majors at the High School For The Creative & Performing
Arts where he is currently a student. He trained with numerous master teachers
from: Broadway Dance Center, Motion n’ Dance, the Rock School of the
Pennsylvania Ballet on a full scholarship. Peter’s personal repertoire also
includes the martial arts, stand-up comedy in New York and on USA Network with
Gilbert Godfreid, an HBO movie with Eddie Murphy and numerous other television
appearances and print work. Peter currently teaches Hip Hop at Motion n’ Dance
Studio where his class is described as dynamic, fun, and inspiring! One of
Peter’s creeds is, find within yourself that treasure, kindness; learn to lose
without regret and to win without meanness.
Erica Smith (dancing lead as 'Hope' in "Wonderland":
began her dance training with Brenda Lee Dance Studio, in Philadelphia, PA.
This led to her acceptance into Franklin Learning Center High, under the
instruction of one of Philly's Modern Mothers, Faye Snow (Horton Technique).
She later transferred to Suitland High School Visual and Performing Arts
Academy, located in Forestville, MD, where she received her high school
diploma. She was accepted into the University of the Arts receiving a
Promising Artist Award scholarship her entire college career. She received her
BFA in 2004, as a Modern Dance major. Erica has danced with Mahogany Dance
Theater traveling throughout the Florida panhandle performing many styles of
dance. She has tapped into many techniques and styles of dances from ballet,
tap and jazz to modern, African, hip-hop, and Latin dance. Erica has worked
with noted choreographers Cuban Pete and Barbra Craddock, Milton Myers and
Wayne St. David. With an exciting career as a dancer, Erica enjoys sharing the
arts with her talented 3-year-old son Zion. This is Erica’s first year with
LEJA and Jaye Allison, she would like to say thank you for the opportunity to
work with her and the company.
Pamela A. Strite's in motion during the Finale, (M.Ed in Dance)
life revolves around the art of Dance. She has dedicated her life to mastering
her craft. Pamela is a native of Philadelphia. She started her dance training
at Massey School of dance, and later attended the Philadelphia High School for
Creative and Performing Arts as a dance major. During her high school years,
she was introduced to Mrs. Brenda Lee-Neal who mentored her to expand her gift
from God. She graduated high school with both academic and dance honors. She
then enrolled at Chatham College in Pittsburgh to continue her studies. At
Chatham, Pamela participated in a Co-op program that allowed her to train at
the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Point Park College. Upon completion, she
earned her degrees in Dance, Business Administration and Computer Science.
Pamela has also attended Alvin Ailey’s Summer Intensive/Certification Program
on scholarship. Aspiring to be a teacher as well as a dancer, she attended
Temple University, receiving a Master of Education in Dance. Pamela is the
director and choreographer for the Angelic Praise Dance Ministry at Greater
Saint Matthew Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Pamela thanks God for her gift
of dance and the joy it has brought into her life.
Michael D Tindal's character pursues the lovely, Shy, in "Sweet" is
a native of Philadelphia. Begining his training at the High School for the
Creative and Performing Arts he quickly fell into the world of dance. Studying
at Philadanco, Governor's School for Arts, Koresh, and receiving a B.F.A. in
Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts. Michael has been actively
pursuing a career in performing with reparatory companies such as Ballethnic,
Wissconsin Dance Connection, Washington Reflections Dance Theatre, Dance
Theatre X, and is now a principal dancer at Edgeworks Dance Theatre.
Charles Tyson in the men's work, "Cornered", is
director of UnderGround Dance Works.
David Ogden dancing into an escape in "Cornered"
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