MASTER TEACHERS
Jackie Guy
Photo Credit: http://www.voice-online.co.uk
Jackie Guy, choreographer extraordinaire is one of my greatest teachers. He taught me about the power of the mind to guide the body as a medium of expression. I am proud to be one of his students for life.
Lady Vereen Walquer
Photo Credit: leimertpark movie.com/
Lady Vereen Walquer taught me Dunham Technique dance form in Los Angeles. Having studied with Lady is one of the highlights of my career as a performer. She paid attention to the 'whole student.' She once cautioned me to take care of "self" and that it is ok to stay still, "the problem with you is that you don't know how to do nothing." I never forgot that lesson. I am still a work in progress, Lady.
Nzinga Camara
Photo Credit: debbieallendance academy.com
Nzinga taught me Senegalese dance form at Lula Washington Dance Theatre in Los Angeles. Her high impact dance form was punctuated by a fierce drum corp from all over African, the Caribbean, and the US. I learned the drumming styles -- the rhythms associated with each dance. This was a tough class because we were mixed with the "masters" -- the divas like Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Vanessa Bell Calloway--these sisters can dance something fierce!
Lavinia Williams
Photo Credit: thereminiad.webs.com
Master Class with Lavinia--dynamite! Alvin Ailey, NY.
Susan Mason, PhD.
Dushyanta and Shakuntala
Dr. Mason taught me Development of World Theatre at CSULA. She is a great storyteller, too. I learned the value of historical, social, and cultural context in literary analysis. Today, my students enjoy this legacy.
Lynn Quitman Troyka
Photo Credit: Simon Schuster
A true "master" at the rhetoric.
Bobby Ghisays
Photo Credit: http://www.ltmpantomime.com/
Bobby Ghisays was a master director. His eye for detail and opening new vistas for actors like me is one of my greatest memories. - Johnny Reggae, National Pantomime 1978/79
Honor Ford Smith
Photo Credit: www.yorku.ca/fes/faculty
Honor is a very passionate woman about her craft and she expects the highest level of excellence from her students. I remember she once said: "Your mediocre is someone's best in this school. Stop cruising through my course!" I straightened up my act really fast.
Trevor D. Rhone
Photo Credit: http://www.trevorrhone.com/
Trevor D. is a master craftsman. His teaching style has shaped the way I work with my students.
Michael Schulman
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Studied with Michael at the British American Acting Academy in NYC. His scene study and character development classes are at the top of the list.
Anna Strasberg
Photo Credit: msnbc.msn.com
Very cultured, kind, and visionary woman. Had the good fortune to be produced by her at the famed Lee Strasberg Theatre in Hollywood. She has expressed a great desire to direct me in a play. I hope it can happens some day. That would be a dream come true for me.
Theresa Larkin
Photo Credit: http://www.calstatela.edu
To date, one of the finest teacher / director I have had the opportunity to work with. She taught me so much about the craft and how to think inside, outside, and over the box.
Joan Peters
Photo Credit: http://www.dancemagazine.com
Joan taught me Katherine Dunham Technique at Alvin Ailey School of Dance. I can still hear that wooden-stick keeping time on the floor - Demi plie and straighten two three four!!
Lloyd Hall
Photo Credit: http://www.golocaljamaica.com/
Studied vocals: classical, spirituals, and folk. Performed with his 400 Voices Mass Choir for 10 years. Appeared with Maestro Hall on JBC Television's children's hour program demonstrating vocal techniques.
Dr. Albert McNeil
Photo Credit: http://www.amjsla.org/photos.html
Taught me the finer art of singing and gave me the opportunity to perform with his acclaimed Jubilee Singers at Carnegie Hall and other great concert halls.
