BONNIE BING
Executive Artistic Director
Dancing from age four at Joan Myers Brown’s very first school at 52nd Street, for the past four decades Bonnie has pursued a professional career in dance as well as obtaining a degree in biology. A member of the first Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO), she has worked with new and emerging Motown artists and has choreographed for the WDAS Coca – Cola dancers, WPVI’S pilot TV show Night Music, and for the youth in Aretha Franklin’s concert performances. Bonnie has taught in the public and private school systems and in area studios, including the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts (home of Philadanco). She has also worked as the past Director for Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, Inc. and Executive Director of the International Association of Blacks in Dance working directly with dance legends Joan Myers Brown, Sherrill Berryman Johnson, Cleo Parker Robinson, Jeraldyne Blunden Ann Williams, Carmen De Lavallade, Donald McKayle, Walter Nicks, Eleo Pomare, Donald Byrd, Chuck Davis, Lula Washington, Louise Jackson and Ronald. K. Brown. In 1999 Bonnie received the Bessie Award’s (The New York Dance and Performance Award) Special Citation for the International Association of Blacks in Dance.

RENÉE K. ROBINSON-WAY 
Director of Music
Renée (Soprano) is a graduate of West Chester University holding a degree in Music Education. After graduating college, she pursued Biblical studies at Deliverance Bible Institute where she held a 4.0 average. A member of the Bright Hope Baptist Church since the age of 8, she has played an active role in the church’s music ministry. She has been a member of the Celestial Choir since 1985 and feels honored to have worked under J. Donald Dumpson’s fine tutelage. As a member of the choir, she has committed herself to sharing her talents not only as a singer but as a volunteer educator within the music ministry. She truly understands the value of giving back what God has given to her.

Renee was employed by the School District of Philadelphia for thirteen years and retired to go to work with The New Freedom Theatre as a premier vocal coach and musical director for many of their productions. Renee is a freelance artist/musician, vocal coach and consultant. She is very excited to bring music to life through song. She has worked with many vocalists, on many productions, in many different genres of the arts. She has sung in productions of Porgy and Bess and Opera on the Square while singing jazz in a contemporary jazz group and various styles of African American Sacred Music; with a specialized focus on Spirituals and Gospel music. As quoted by Mr. Dumpson; “Renee has been blessed with the ability to find the inner depth in music, no matter what the genre. This allows the listener to be taken on an exciting musical journey which is filled with a very spiritual and uplifting energy.” Renee’s life perspective is “Of Him, through Him and to Him are all things.” Praise be to God! 

KAMAL BOSTIC SMITH 
Tap Instructor
Kamal Bostic Smith is a singer, actor, and dancer whose ability in arts has taken him across the world. Kamal began dancing at age 9, acting at 11 and singing since he was 5 years old. He has been tapping / hoofing for about fifteen years and has studied at the Jan’s Dance Studio where he was also a Junior Instructor, at Freedom Theatre where he was a Demonstrator and with the world renowned Tap Team Two under the direction of Robert Burden where he was an Apprentice. Kamal loves to act and has studied at The Walnut Street Theatre as well as Freedom Theatre. He has worked on HBO’s The Wire and has appeared in films like The Salon with Terrance Howard and Vivica Fox. Currently Kamal is starring in the multi-media production Real Men Talking. Kamal’s personality attracts a lot of attention and people always want to know more about him. He’s never afraid to teach or share.

ROBERT F. BURDEN, JR.
Tap Instructor
Robert received his BFA in Jazz Dance from the University of the Arts in 1988 and studied with LaVaughn Robinson and Germaine Ingram. The Philadelphia style was epitomized by LaVaughn Robinson, who died last year, having evolved from South Street’s corners to the pinnacle of the dance world. Mr. Burden, his protégée, now carries the responsibility of preserving this dance history and passing it on to others.

Mr. Burden received an Independent Performing Artist Award from the Community Education Center in 1992. The Pew Foundation recognized him as a Discipline winner in 1996. He has also been awarded the PRDI by the Pew Charitable Trusts in conjunction with Dance USA and the Philadelphia Dance Alliance. In 1997, he received the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Award for Emerging Dance Choreographer.

MAUREEN HENIGHAN BOOKER
Ballet Mistress
Maureen Henighan Booker is a Professional Dancer, Choreographer and Ballet Instructor. She studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She is a former company member of the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO). Maureen attended both Hampton University in Virginia, where she studied Theater and Goucher College in Maryland, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Maureen also studied Theater under Robert Anu-Hubbard and Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. at Freedom Theater.

Maureen has performed both nationally and internationally. Some of her stage credits include: The Colored Museum, Black Nativity, Purlie, Chicago, Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Porgy and Bess. Maureen is a choreographer and Dance Educator. Some of her credits include: The Witch and The Magic Mountain at Freedom Theater and For Colored Girls--at The Drama Group. She was a Ballet and Acting Instructor in the Intensive Training Program at Freedom Theater and Dance Instructor in the Intensive Summer Drama Program, under the direction of Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. Maureen has created a Classical Ballet Intensive "Ballet and Beyond", while working at The Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center in Camden, New Jersey. 

TIFFANY M. CALLOWAY 
Ballet & Jazz Instructor
Tiffany is a native Philadelphian, educated in Philadelphia and a graduate of the High School of the Performing Arts. Tiffany went on to pursue a college degree in Psychology with a dance minor at Temple University. Tiffany studied, trained and received scholarships in dance at various prestigious institutions including Governors School of Arts at Bucknell University and Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She has performed with Eleone Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theater and working with the Philadelphia Dance Company choreographing and dancing in their Danco on Danco series. Tiffany has worked with such choreographers as Tony Purnell, Donald Lunsford, Leon Evans, Raymond Harris, Rod Rogers, Fred Benjamin, Patricia Scott-Hobbs, Zane Booker, Kevin, Wynn, Thaddeus Davis, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Donald Byrd and others. She has a long list of teaching experiences that range from teaching for Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the New York Public School System, Kimmel Center, Black Women’s Sports Foundation to name a few.

KAREN STILL-PENDERGRASS 
Zumba Instructor
Karen Still-Pendergrass is an accomplished dancer, proficient in ballet, modern and jazz, and is currently an instructor and choreographer at The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts at Philadanco, she also teaches for the Kimmel Center and directs and choreographs for three praise dance groups. She is also the director for the dance program at The French Communication Institute. Karen is presently studying at The Eastern School of Ministry.

HENRY E. ROY 
Jazz & Modern Instructor
Henry began his formal ballet and jazz dance training in St. Louis, Missouri at Webster College, as a drama student. He simultaneously studied African dance at the Katherine Dunham School in East St. Louis, Illinois. He moved to New York after receiving a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School and later moved to Philadelphia to receive his BFA in dance from Temple University, after being awarded a Faculty Fellowship.

Henry is a former principal dancer with the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Co., the Joan Kerr Dance Co., and the Sybil Dance Co. His choreographic credits range from concert dance to theatrical productions and array of national and international television commercials for McDonald’s, Burger King, Chuck E. Cheese and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (featuring The Four Tops.) He has created works for South Jersey Theatre & Dance, Del Bello Dance Co., Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company, Ballet Kloss Dance Company, the American Music Theatre Festival and the Arden Theatre.

Henry has an extensive teaching background. He has taught at some of the best Colleges and Universities in and around the world. Henry has conducted workshops in Iceland, Japan, and Belgium. He is currently an adjunct Professor at Rowan University, the City Dance Academy and the Tricia Sloan Dance Center. He is known for his broad technical background in his teaching and choreography and comprehensive knowledge of various traditional and contemporary dance styles that unite seamlessly.

GABRIELE TESFA-GUMA 
Ballet–Jazz-Modern-Hip Hop Instructor
Gabriele is a native of Ethiopia and was raised in Italy. Mr. Tesfa-Guma has a career in music as well as in dance. Mr. Tesfa-Guma received his dance training from teachers like David Howard, and schools like Ballet Academy East, The Rock School, The Joffrey School, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Gabriele danced with many companies, including Joffrey II: The Dancers, Alpha Omega, Takaski Watanabe (Japan), and was a lead dancer with Philadanco for seven years. Gabriele has been teaching a variety of dance techniques such as ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop at the Rock School for Dance Education and for their outreach program at Sheppard Elementary and Ludlow Elementary. Mr. Guma also teaches for the Kimmel Center Outreach program at schools like West Philadelphia High School, Nueva Espera Charter School and Middle Years Alternative middle school (M.Y.A.). Also Mr. Guma choreographed and taught workshops at schools like University City Arts League , Music In Motion (St. Croix -U.S. Virgin Islands) , Bryn Mawr College, School of the Future, Point Breeze Academy for the Performing Arts, Ballet School of Central Pennsylvania (State College, PA), Martha Merideth School of Dance(Syosset, Long Island) Philadanco and more . Mr. Guma is very excited to be on faculty at Canaan Arts.

ROBERT L. BRYANT JR.

Drum Instructor
Robert L. Bryant, Jr., was born and raised in Philadelphia. He was surrounded by music growing up. There was music at church and music at home. His family is very musically inclined. Bobby picked up his first instrument at the age of 14. He started with the alto sax and studied with a member of the Stylistics. That went on for almost a year.

At the age of 15, Bobby went in another direction. He attended an installation service for his Mother, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Bryant. At that service, the contracted drummer was missing. Bobby decided to “fill-in” on the drums and hasn’t stopped since. Drums became his passion. Because his brother Joel Bryant played keys for the Stylistics at that time, Bobby was able to learn from some of the best. He encountered people like: Jonathan DuBois, Steve Green, Ron Jennings, Bryant Pugh and Jethaniel “Thanny” Nixon and many more.

Bobby became proficient in his craft and began doing studio sessions with several recording artists. He worked on albums with artists such as: Rev. Dr. Carolyn Bryant-Poller, The East Coast Regional Mass Choir, GMWA Men’s Chorus, The Gospel Stirrers and Ezra Williams. Bobby now plays with Grammy Award winner, Tramaine Hawkins. He enjoys playing and giving back to the Church of Christ Written In Heaven, Inc. while teaching new age drummers the “old school” way.

JOSEPH HARRISON 
Percussion Instructor
As a member of the Canaan Baptist Church male chorus and former member of the Canaan Youth and Young Adult Choir as well as the Fellowship Choir, Joey currently serves as the Director of the Children’s Choir. Joey was also a member of God’s Community Choir under the leadership of Cora Wells.

Joey studied percussions with Orlando Fior, Omar Hill, Jan Jeffries, Charles Walker and Juan “Cuco” Castellanos. Presently he is a percussionist for Canaan Baptist Church, Exhortation Gospel Group, Craig Bogan El’s Afro-fusion Dance Class and Carmen Butler’s (Katherine Dunham Technique) dance class and formerly with Canaan Institute of the Arts and Sydney’s School of Dance.

Joey has performed with Bryan Pugh, James Hall Gospel Artist, Cornell Rochester (formerly of Joe Zawinul Syndicate), Joel Bryant and Craig Hayes. Also with his music passion Joey studied and performed with the Tuskegee City Dance Theater Company.

Joey received his BS from Tuskegee University in Agri-Business Education and his Master of Education from Penn State University.

MARCI LAUDERSLAGER
Piano Instructor
Marci Laudenslager is a passionate musician, composer and performer. The child of musical parents, she was introduced to the piano at the age of two and began classical studies at the age of six. She was invited to tour Europe as a percussionist and vocalist at the age of sixteen and has since completed a number of studio albums and national tours with punk, indie rock and classical performance groups. She co-founded progressive rock group, Redlight Ballroom, in 2003 and is currently composing a conceptual, progressive piano-centric album under the name Masquerade. She has performed with elite handbell ensembles for much of her musical life and currently rings with the Heidelberg Concert Handbell Choir and the Main Line Ringers of Germansville and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. An avid student of the sciences, Marci also works as a pediatric oncology researcher at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is applying to medical school this year and hopes to always allow her musical and scientific backgrounds to benefit both her career and her community.

GABRIELLE TESFA GUMA
Guitar Instructor
Gabriele Tesfa-Guma a.k.a. GAB GUMA is Ethiopian born and was raised in Italy. With a love for blues, rock and jazz, Gab's trademarks are passion, musical dexterity, versatility and his big afro! He's influenced by many greats, from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Miles Davis and Santana, to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. When Gab moved to United States he also pursued his other artistic passion and talent, dance.
Gab performed internationally for several years as a leading modern/ballet dancer for world class dance companies like Joffrey II and Philadanco.

While living in Philadelphia Gab decided to focus more on music he discovered a strong passion for songwriting arranging and producing. This new found desire lead him to form his own band GAB GUMA & Tangible Truth, a neo-soul/rock group complete with horns, hip hop/modern dancers and other guest performers that quickly became the talk of Philly's soul community thanks to their song "Saturday" and "One Nation" which was played on radios in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Ethiopia.

Gab also collaborated with and played and produced for many artists such as Carol Riddick, Jazzy Fatnastees, Floetry, Hana Shenkute, Freddie Jackson, Tangled Thoughts, Waina, Rhapsode, Sherry Butler, Owen Fiidla Brown, Dayton Ballet (Dance Company) and many others. A few years later Gab's desire to play more rock led him to join forces with charismatic Philadelphia rapper JO and complete the rock/hip hop/funk band Grindcity. Soon after their song "Hannibal" was recorded at famed Long View Studios Grindcity performed at the CMJ Festival in 2007 and the song was selected as one of the tracks on the CMJ compilation CD. The band quickly built a reputation for their honest lyrics, advanced musicianship and electrifying live performances. In 2008 Grindcity was the opening act for Grammy award winning band Living Colour and also performed their song "We Want America Back" at numerous Obama election rallies around Philadelphia .The song is featured in an Obama campaign documentary by Jennifer Shaw about the grassroots political movement that swept the nation this year.

Philadelphia radio stations 93.3 WMMR-FM and 94.1 WYSP-FM have given airplay to GrindCity's sports anthems for the Phillies (Philly’s Red) and the Eagles (Go Green). In 2009 Grindcity was signed by Forge Recording and released their debut album "GrindTaytaShipp". A few months later the band gave a stunning performance opening for N.E.R.D. at University of Hartford and soon after that they received an endorsement by Live Nation Concerts for representation to the National Association of Campus Activities.