Beyond the Stage

Dancer, choreographer, and musician trained in traditional and contemporary styles

AJ is the 2019 recipient of the Momentum New Dance Works grant for emerging choreographers in Minneapolis and is the current Artist in Residence at the National Institute of Arts (NIA) in Soualiga. AJ is a previous company member of Ananya Dance Theatre and Afoutayi where he trained in Yorchha under the leadership of Dr Ananya Chatterjee and traditional Haitian dance under Djenane Saint-Juste, respectively. His training also includes West African dance forms, Ballet, Modern, Caribbean Social and Traditional Dances, and Capoeira. His past work includes Atlantis Rebirth- a nod to the defiant history of Black peoples in the Caribbean as well as an imagination of a post-colonial Caribbean utopia; and Atlantis13- a work choreographed in collaboration with Peace Madimutsa and a cast of brilliant dancers in Minneapolis that explores diasporic connections and Black liberation. AJ's current project, Atlantis Origins, is the third installation of the Atlantis Universe series and will premiere on November 5 and 6 at the Cowles' Center in Minneapolis. In the realm of music, AJ trained and performed with Souliga's Ebony Steel Orchestra for 10 years under the leadership of steelpan legend Isidore York aka The Mighty Dow.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Dance, Music and Arts

Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts company produces high quality events dedicated to promoting knowledge and understanding of Haitian culture, history and traditional arts Dance connects the Haitian people to their spiritual and cultural heritage, having been passed down through lineages of African and Indigenous ancestry.

IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY, TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Represented by Art Resources Gallery in Minneapolis

Lisa Arnold is a teaching artist who believes that art changes people and people change the world. She encourages her students to engage with themselves and the diverse world around them by using their life experiences to create art and art experiences to create their lives. Her main goal is to empower students by honing their visual, technical, and poetic abilities. She gives students tools in art interpretation and creation so they can express themselves in positive, productive, and creative ways, both inside and outside the classroom.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Mandalas, Sculpture, Puppetry, Textiles and more

Krista Beier is a creative who uses art as a voice for social change and a means of self-exploration through altering space. Librarian by day, artist by night, her work focuses on her relationship both with the community and the earth. Her cultural heritage inspires her and draws deeply upon the imagery of her ancestors.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Writer, director, actor, producer, and improviser

Belin is a longstanding cast member and writer at The Brave New Workshop and a staff writer for AWF magazine. He serves as the Artistic Director for Threshold Theater, whose mission is to "produce fresh LGBTQ works." He currently writes and performs for “Queer Window,” an all-queer sketch show based in New York City.

Denzel has appeared on TPT Almanac and created work for the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus and Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. He presented a longform collection of solo sketches and storytelling, “With Love, From Washington” for the Blackness Is… Festival in Minneapolis. With Threshold Theater, he is currently leading a play reading series that will provide playwrights the opportunity to workshop their play with a director and team of actors that concludes with a staged reading that is open to the public.

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

Tiffany Cooper

Broadway actress, singer, dancer and arts educator

Tiffany is a Minneapolis-based and Broadway actress, singer, dancer and arts educator with a career in the entertainment industry spanning more than two decades. In addition, she is a certified Life Coach practitioner and Executive Speech Coach. She has performed at major venues across the US and in fifteen countries with extended European residencies in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. Tiffany was in the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony-nominated musical Bombay Dreams on Broadway. Other performance highlights include Mamma Mia, In The Next Room; The Vibrator Play, The Audition (world premiere), Clybourne Park, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, The Tempest, When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet, Fences, Cinderella, South Pacific, The Buddy Holly Story, Porgy and Bess, and Sisters of the Sixties. She appears on the cast recordings of Grease Das Musical, and Guys and Dolls (50th anniversary). Her debut solo recording Satin Mood, A Tribute to Julie London was self-produced. Her multi-media solo piece Black Thread premiered at the Blackness Is… Arts Festival, which was produced by the Guthrie Theater and MN Black Circle Theater. As an arts educator, she has created workshops and artist masterclasses for universities and arts organizations. She received certification in arts education from The Actors Fund in New York City. In addition, she regularly adjudicates regional and national talent and dance competitions. Tiffany holds, a BS degree in Speech Communications, Theatre, and Dance from Murray State University.

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

Desdamona

An international, award-winning poet & hip hop artist

She has traveled the US & abroad delivering her lyrics and spoken word, also spending her time in traditional and non-traditional classrooms spaces, working in over 300 schools, prisons and community centers in the US and France. She co-founded B-Girl Be, a first of its kind celebration of women’s contributions to hip hop culture. Desdamona’s most recent release is entitled  No Man’s Land  and features an all woman cast of singers, poets and emcees from the Twin Cities.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Mixed-media Artist

Meg's work is inspired by the natural world (most often the woods, water, and trees of the midwest) and how we look for and find ways to connect with each other through art and nature. She graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a BA in Studio Art. She received her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She began her career as a secondary art teacher. Today her work is a mix of teaching through residencies, workshops, camps, and events, and her personal painting and collage practice.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Dancer, Singer, Model, Actor, and Teacher

He was trained at the National Institute of Arts (NIA) in St Martin. In 2020, Troy played the part of Aaron Burr in NIA’s abridged version of the Broadway Musical Hamilton. In 2021, he was featured as a model in Vogue Italia as part of Lisandro Suriel’s Ghost Island Photography Project. During this same year, he was also a principal character in Jonathan van Arneman’s internationally acclaimed dance film documentary Atlantis Rebirth. In 2022, Troy had the privilege to perform for International Afropop artist Ckay as well as several local artists like Kenyo Baly, Clara Reyes, and Arlene Halley. Troy has trained with artists like Ryan Miller, Alicia Graf Mac, Vivian Nixon, Nikeva Marie, Jaquelyn Allsopp, and Darian Parker in styles such as Ballet, Lyrical Jazz, Afro Caribbean, Soca, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Acro, Contemporary, Improv, and West African Dance. Troy currently works as an educator at several local primary schools on St Martin teaching a dance outreach program that gives K-12 kids skills in Afro Caribbean, Hip Hop, Lyrical jazz, and Improv.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Visual Arts teacher for 19 years

Nic Hahn has taught students pre-school through adult learners and every level in between.  She received her undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and her Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota- St. Mary’s.  Nic was awarded the Minnesota Art Educator of the Year 2018 Award. Nic is currently taking a sabbatical from the classroom to pursue her passion of illustration and watercolor. Nic has three IG accounts to share the happening in both her education and artist world. 

 TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Dedicated and motivated by his passion for creativity to continue providing education in dance to the next generation of artists in the Twin Cities

Joseph got his start in dancing through musical theater as a sophomore in high school.  He moved to social styles such as Latin and Swing, and from there found Breaking which got him connected with the Funkstyles scene. Over the years Joseph has represented local crews including 4got10 Elementz, YML (Yesterday’s Missing Life) and ALL DAY.

He has performed in many spaces including, but not limited to: The Guthrie, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, and the Minnesota State Fair. Joseph has also appeared in shows such ROOTED and Being Brothas, Sistah Solo, as well as productions at Main Street Theatre. He was the choreographer for High School Musical for Morris Park Players, previously taught at Moore than Dance studio, and currently is an instructor at House of Dance Twin Cities Studios and Saitn Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Beyond his own performances and achievements, Joseph has been a judge for a number of competitive dance competitions.

IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

McKnight Fellow

McKnight Fellow, Herb Johnson III graduated from Perpich Center for the Performing Arts in 2010 and studied 3 years at the Lundstrum Center for Arts. Herb is now at the University of Minnesota as an Urban & Street dance instructor. He currently choreographs and performs solo and in groups 612 Crew, DeadPool, and Mixtape. Professional work includes iLuminate from America’s Got Talent, Choreographing G-Easy'sHalftime show 2018, and SuperBowl 52 half-time Show 2018 with Justin Timberlake.

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

Jamaica-born, Sint Maarten-grown dancer, singer, choreographer, and teacher

She has been in performing arts ever since she was 9 years old at the Motiance Dance School now known as The National Institute of Arts since merging with Imbali Dance School. She rooted herself in many art forms to fulfill her artistic desires including representing her home country in international dance competitions. In 2015, she competed in an international dance competition in France called ‘concours de confederation de danse‘ where she received two silver medals (2nd place) in Jazz and African Dance. She also received a scholarship to Anthony Burrell’s ‘Breaking Barriers’ Summer Intensive. In 2018, she was awarded a scholarship from Arts Saves Lives Foundation to partake in a week-long intensive in New York where she danced at BDC, Steps on Broadway and The Ailey Studios. She has been a St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Dancer since 2018.  In 2020, she auditioned for St. Maarten’s Abridged Version of Hamilton and she was casted as Angelica Schuyler. Her role consisted of singing, rapping, dancing and acting. She also auditioned for a dance and cultural film called ‘Atlantis Rebirth’. She was casted as a main dancer for this film and it is now one of St. Maarten’s Historic Films, touring the Dutch Caribbean and Minnesota. In 2022, she performed for International Afro-beats artist Ckay and International Hip Hop artist Kalash.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Poet, educator, organizer and cultural producer

Tish Jones is the Founder & Executive Director of TruArtSpeaks - an arts & culture nonprofit based in Saint Paul – and is the Former Director of the Brave New Voices international youth poetry slam festival. Her work explores the ways in which art can function as a tool for social transformation, liberation, and education.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

vocalist, songwriter, and folklorist

Sarah is devoted to learning and sharing music form women’s traditions from her own roots: Eastern European, Irish, Scottish, and Swedish diaspora. Sarah has performed with The Nightingale Trio and is the founder of Folk Will Save Us and the Twin Cities klezmer jam community the Longfellow Village Band. Drawing from deep roots of vocal folk music from Eastern Europe and North America, Larsson infuses her interpretations of traditional music with a harmony sensibility rooted in and liberated from years as a classical choral singer. Sarah’s new project, Red Thread, further unspools the line of folk tradition, merging original song with rich textures and vocal harmony from the Balkans, Yiddish, and Americana tradition. 

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

Dance artist

Erinn Liebhard is a dance artist making opportunities for people to experience the reflective and connective power of groove through performance and education. Guided by this inspiration and a fondness for jazz and American social dance ideas, she's worked with creatives as varied as hip-hop dance theater artists Rennie Harris and the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers Appalachian clogging company. Currently, in performance, she makes and performs new staged works and presents those of others through her company Rhythmically Speaking and plays as “Nerdette” for St. Paul Saints Baseball, in addition to making new works for professional companies, colleges and high schools. In education, she works as a Teaching Artist for the Cowles Center and serves as a member of their Advisory Council, is on faculty at several area art high schools and universities, conducts educational outreach through her company and is an active writer and conference presenter. She is driven to connect with people and help them connect to themselves, one another and the moment through rooted and innovative embodiment of groove.

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

Chicano, Artist Fellowship

Jimmy Longoria is a Chicano artist who has made a significant impact on the art world. He is the only Chicano artist whose work is displayed at 3M's Global Innovation Center. Jimmy received a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship in Fine Art and is the only Minnesotan to have art on permanent display at the National Museum of Mexican Art. He has been recognized for his commitment to the community, and Target Corporation labeled him "Someone We'd Like You to Meet" in a national campaign.

 IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY, TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Illustrator in Minneapolis

Jinjer Markley primarily works in watercolor, ink, and digital drawing, and considers a 6B pencil to be the ultimate drawing tool. With a formal training in science experience as a science teacher, it is no wonder that she is also a nerd. A nerd who draws. If you must know, her best time in solving a Rubik's cube is 2.6 minutes i.e. not super fast, but hey, not bad. She loves illustrating anything that is somehow educational, including the children’s book “This Thing Has A Name.” In addition to drawing, she loves bicycling, ice skating, cooking overly complicated meals, anything Japanese (どうぞよろしく）, hanging out with family, and the magic of making things by hand.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Music, Dance, Culture

Ensō Daiko offers loud, energetic performances that combine music, dance, culture, and pure athleticism. The group regularly premieres new work adding their unique voice to the expanding canon and innovation of North American taiko. Through performances, studio classes and school residencies, Ensō Daiko has taught thousands of students of all ages and abilities.

IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY, TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

A community music school dedicated to Irish traditions

The Center for Irish Music (CIM) is a thriving nonprofit community music school based in St. Paul’s Hamline-Midway neighborhood. The CIM is dedicated to handing down traditional Irish music to the next generation of musicians in our community through private lessons, group classes, and events featuring world-class artists like the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. This video features teaching artists Norah Rendell (flute, whistle, song), Danielle Enblom (fiddle, stepdance) and Danny Diamond (fiddle, Irish language).

IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY

Artist, and Poet

Marie Olofsdotter is a Swedish-born artist & poet who lives in Minneapolis where she paints, writes poetry, creates picture books, and works in mixed media. She has shared her love of creativity with young and old alike as a teaching artist for over 30 years. Marie’s accolades include a Minnesota Book Award, a Loft Mentor Series Award in Poetry, and grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Besides studies in art history, fine arts, and writing, Marie went to clown school for two years, first in Stockholm, then California, and she swears by the Steve Linsner quote that says, “a clown is a poet who is also an orangutang.”

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

MC, Producer/Composer, Spoken Word Poet, Visual Artist, Filmmaker, and Educator

Their work explores identity, culture, social justice, mythology, science fiction, spirituality, and the paranormal. See More has received the VERVE grant for spoken word for a spoken word album about dreams, freedom fighters and mythology; the Artist Initiative grant from the MN State Arts Board for a music video suite about healthy sexuality, sex positivity, consent, and rape culture; and a Cedar Commission from the Cedar Cultural Center to premiere new work about new mythologies and cultural justice work. They worked as a member of the Night Light cohort grant project from Public Arts Saint Paul to create 3D digital projection-mapping in 2021 to premiere, ‘Jaws of Life After Death’, a psychedelic Death trip of hip hop, poetry, synth, and soaring ethereal vocals. See More is currently helping Teatro de Pueblo develop a cultural adaptation of ‘ Romeo and Juliet’, writing rap and spoken word for a new character that kicks the Chorus off stage. They are currently producing Kat Parent’s powerful upcoming album ‘Swampling’, which premiered at the Cedar Cultural Center at the top of 2022. His most recent release ‘Edgar Allen Poe Dameron’ is an action packed, classicist boom bap, tour de force of MCing and Beat-making. Learn more at www.seemoreperspective.com

FEATURED ON THE ORDWAY EDUCATION YOUTUBE

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Arts and Cultural Education Lead

Danez Smith is the author of 3 awarding winning collections, including "Homie." Currently finishing a fellowship at Princeton, they are the new Arts and Cultural Education Lead for TruArtSpeaks.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Arts & culture organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota

We provide development opportunities for artists and arts leaders through direct mentorship, workshops, residencies, public events, conferences, statewide initiatives and more. Our primary audience consists of people with multiple marginalized identities and artists— with a special focus on youth and young adults. We believe that art & culture – especially Hip Hop – inspire connection, growth, and social transformation.

Our mission is to cultivate literacy, leadership, and social justice through the study & application of spoken word and hip hop culture. Our vision is to foster a global community of diverse voices committed to advancing justice and equity.

There are five core beliefs that guide our work: We believe in story, we believe in community, we believe in Hip Hop as a tool for personal & social transformation, we believe in intergenerational spaces and mentorship, and we believe in quality & craft.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Feel-good music from the heart of Africa

Back in Africa, award-winning Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi (see-AH-ma ma-too-zoon-GEE-dee) was shaped by the evenings he spent sitting outside with his family, telling stories and singing together under a canopy of stars. He went on to earn the moniker, “Soukous Legend” as he recorded hundreds of songs and traveled the world with popular artists. Now based in Minneapolis, Siama's known for his intricate guitar, spirited singing, catchy songs and traditional instruments like balafon and thumb piano. His right-hand musical partner and storyteller, Dallas Johnson, adds cool harmonies and encourages everyone to sing along to fun songs in Lingala, Kikongo and Swahili and they both love sharing stories that bring Siama’s happy rural childhood to life.

IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE ORDWAY

Collage, Painting, and Assemblage

Dominique is a multi-disciplinary artist who combines collage, painting, and assemblage to create detailed artwork which is rich in symbolism and cultural references. Working in acrylic and intricate hand cut collage on wood panel with resin, Dominique creates colorful scenes which incorporate tiny details and humor to re-envision history in her allegorical artwork. In 2014, she became a contributing member of Tres Leches Art Gallery, located in the Northrup King Building in NE Minneapolis, and has received several Honorable Mentions in group shows throughout the region. Her most recent efforts include a solo show entitled “Marie Antoinette et les Femmes Fatales” exhibited at the Alliance Francaise in September 2022. She currently works as an Associate Librarian for Hennepin County Library and curates the art exhibitions at Ridgedale Library.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Igbo-rooted dance therapy by Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer

• Afrocontigbo: pronounced "AFRO- CON-Tee-Bough"

• Igbo: pronounced "Eee-Bough"

Afrocontigbo is an African Contemporary Igbo dance company founded by CEO Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer in 2015. Korma is from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. Afrocontigbo mixes traditional and modern West African dance moves. They teach classes and do performances all across the Twin Cities.

The music is invigorating and the moves are joyful. Get ready to join Afrocontigbo on the dance floor. Add "Afrocontigbo" on social media for more information on classes, challenges, and performances.

Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube

Ololade Gbadamosi Alashe

A self-taught Krump dancer who has hosted events like The Uprizing

Ololade Gbadamosi, also known as O and Gambit, is a practitioner of Krump. Krump is a street dance style that stands for Kingdom Radically Uplifting Mighty Praise. Mostly self-taught in this style, he has traveled outside of Minnesota to participate in battles and also take classes from other respected krumpers including the creators of the dance style Chez "Tight Eyez" Willis and Jo'Artis "Mijo" Ratti.

Ololade has been a big supporter in the Minnesota hip hop and Krump community by teaching krump, hosting events such as The Uprizing and being involved in hip hop based performances such as I'm From Vol. 1; Mixtape, Mixtape Side B, Mixtape Ill; Gutta Zone Festival in Montreal Canada and ROOTED: Hip Hop Choreographers' Evening.

Teaching students through Ordway's Artists in the Schools program

Sivanuja is a artistic director and Founder of Nritya Kalakshetra School of Performing Arts. She has been teaching, performing , choreographing and promoting art forms for more than 28 years. She is a well trained Alumni of world famous Kalakshetra and a disciple of great Mastro Late Adyar K Lakshman and Krishnaveni Lakshman and trained Mohiniattam dancer including folk dances of India and Carnatic music.

Sivanuja has been an active contributor to all social/regional events in Minneapolis , other parts United States and India . Her students are involved in variety of performances ranging from Kalakshetra Style Bharathanatyam  ,Mohiniattam [ Indian Classical forms ] and Kuchipudi through Contemporary Dances and Performances. Sivanuja has been contributing to the growth of this ancient art through focused teaching on the depth of Bharathanatyam, Natyashastras, facial expression called Abhinaya, yoga exercise to improve dance posture and stamina. Her classes also focus on theory of dance and theatre performances. Sivanuja is a serious proponent of the discipline with steadfast passion to the classical, theatrical art forms and contemporary art forms.

She is currently working on having structured level exams for classical art forms in Minnesota and other parts of states through an established and approved college Griffin Exam Board in London.  Sivanuja is working on multi-disciplinary theatrical art works ranging from folk, classical, western and contemporary to our art lovers and  patrons.  She is also collaborating with out of state art schools and organizations.

She is also a contributing choreographer for a upcoming film called ‘REFUGE’.  ‘REFUGE’ was created by Minneapolis choreographer Jennifer Arave and will be co-directed by award-winning filmmaker Philip Harder.  Produced by Patrick Riley. Contributing Choreographers  Sivanuja Balaji , and Germaine Tazz Lindsey, Rachel Clark, Kerry Parker, Tom Carlson, Joshua Lorris.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Cofounder of Duniya Drum & Dance Company and creator of the Fakoly Dance and Drum Project

Born in Conakry, Guinea, Fode Bangoura has been recognized internationally for his work as the lead drummer with the acclaimed ensembles “Les Merveilles de Guinea” and the national ballet of Guinea, “Les Ballets Africains.” A protégé of the late, great Mohamed Kemoko Sano, Fode is now one of the most respected and sought after drummers of his generation.

Teaching and performing in Japan, Europe, and across the U.S., Fode brings a unique energy and electricity to audiences around the world. Fode has toured with some of the biggest names in African music and dance, such as Sekouba Bambino, Sekouba Kandia Kouyate, and Les Ballets Africains. Fode has appeared on MTV, and appeared at the Lincoln Center, Walt Disney World, and The Apollo Theater.

In 2008, Fode cofounded Duniya Drum & Dance Company and began the Fakoly Dance and Drum Project, an annual drum and dance conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota giving students the opportunity to study and perform with the best of the best in Guinea drum and dance.

Fode is a 2021 McKnight recipient, he continues to search for new ways to share his unique art form with others and to bring his rich culture to the world.

Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube

Desdamona is an international, award winning poet & hip hop artist. She has traveled the US & abroad delivering her lyrics and spoken word, also spending her time in traditional and non-traditional classrooms spaces, working in over 300 schools, prisons and community centers in the US and France. She co-founded B-Girl Be, a first of its kind celebration of women’s contributions to hip hop culture. Desdamona’s most recent release is entitled  No Man’s Land  and features an all woman cast of singers, poets and emcees from the Twin Cities. Listen here: www.desdamona.bandcamp.com 

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Adria Edwards is a graduate from Saint Paul Conservatory For Performing Arts and a current dance instructor at the Art Of Dance Studio. She has been dancing for 15 years and teaching for 2 1/2 years. She has always had a great love for dance and has studied in various dance forms such as ballet, jazz, contemporary , tap, hip hop and voguing.  In Summer 2022 Adria will head to New York where she has been accepted to attend The Ailey School Professional Division summer intensive.

TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGH ORDWAY'S ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Music Director and Producer of the Grammy-winning Sounds of Blackness

Jazz, blues, spirituals, rock and roll, R&B, gospel, hip-hop, and soul: these are the Sounds of Blackness! Led by Gary Hines, three-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness have performed for kings, queens, presidents, and ambassadors at concert halls, colleges, schools, corporations, and festivals all over the world.

Sounds of Blackness have performed at The Olympics, The World Cup, Ryder's Cup, The NFL, NBA, MLB, The Grammy Awards, Denver Summit of 8, The NAACP National Convention, and the Super Bowl. They have appeared with Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Sting, Prince, Elton John, Maya Angelou, Usher, Harry Belafonte, Aloe Black, Common, John Legend, and many more.

Sounds of Blackness has won Image, Soul Train, International Time For Peace, Stellar, and three Grammy Awards. Their life-changing, top 10 single and video “ROYALTY" was also nominated for 2 NAACP Image Awards and 2 Stellar Awards.

Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube

Self-taught dancer, competition winner, teacher, and 2021 McKnight Fellow

2021 McKnight Fellow David Stalter Jr. was born and raised in Minnesota. He started dancing in 2012, the summer after freshman year of high school, dancing as an outlet to express himself. He's self-taught, teaching himself all sorts of styles like Hip Hop Freestyle, Animation, Breaking, House, and many more. He's danced with the 612 Timberwolves crew, where he's danced with G-Eazy, Lil Jon, and Skee-Lo he's currently been dancing for 7-8 years.

Winning over 15+ competitions in his dance career. He focuses on musicality, control, and becoming one with the music. He comes from a street background but has built studio experience throughout his dance career. He's been teaching since 2015. Dance has taught him many different things and has made him the person he is today.

His ultimate goal is to inspire as many people as possible with his art to spread love and light and help those in need. He believes it's important to be yourself no matter what because that's what makes you special, and that's what makes you, you. He's based in Minnesota, but his passion, art and dance have allowed him to travel to many different places so far like Chicago, Texas, L.A, Paris, and more. Currently, he works hard to become an even more versed artist and a better teacher. He has faith that one day he'll travel the world teaching about self-love and dance, while continuing to be a student learning new things along the way.

Teaching students through Ordway's Artists in the Schools program

Puppeteer, filmmaker, educator, and community organizer

As the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Oanh Vu uses humor and the playfulness of puppetry to tell stories of healing for herself and her Southeast Asian community. She was a 2019 Puppet Lab Artist and her work has been shared through the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre, Mia, MN Opera, Open Eye Theatre, Twin Cities Public Television, and the Walker Art Center. She got her start in puppetry through Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop and has continued her studies through venues like Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and The National Puppetry Conference at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube

Actor, two-time World Champion Fancy Dancer, and Eagle Dancer

Larry is from the Meskwaki Nation in Tama, Iowa. He is the Founder and Artistic Director for Native Pride Productions, Inc. which is based in Saint Paul, MN. His repertoire includes performances at the Olympics, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Institute. Larry has performed all over the world and has won many awards for his dancing. As an international lecturer, dancer, and educator, Larry has earned the reputation for being one of the nation's leading experts on Native American dance. In May 2010, he and his son Jessup were the sole U.S. performers invited for performances and workshops throughout northern France.

He founded Native Pride Productions to give back to his community and to the world: "By sharing life stories through music, dance and storytelling, we nurture meaningful communication among all people." Larry's goal is to share cultural traditions through artist-in-residency workshops, performances, lectures, classroom instruction and theatrical performances enhancing access to diverse, multicultural artists for people of all ages and backgrounds. His warm, enthusiastic spirit truly reflects the beauty of Indigenous people. Following the tradition of his elders, he is giving back, and enriching the lives of all audiences for generations to come.

Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube in February 2022

Since 1987, Young Dance has encouraged youth in our community to build body and spirit through the art of dance. Our mission is to transform lives through movement. We are an inclusive community where creativity flourishes and all are encouraged to aspire to artistic excellence.

Young Dance encourages peer-to-peer mentorship and collaboration in our multi-age classes. Through our engagement of youth of all abilities, body types, and economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, we provide an environment in which diversity is authentically embraced and celebrated. The young people with whom we work become leaders in their schools, which prepare them for leadership roles—both formal and informal—in their communities. In working with professional, highly accomplished artists, Young Dance dancers develop a keen understanding of the art form, the complexity of creating a production, and the power of the pursuit of excellence.

At Young Dance, we believe that:

• Young people are artists with something important to say

• Social justice is an embedded component of our classes and organization.

• Everybody is capable of creative expression.

• The creative process is a model for civil discourse.

• Healthy somatic dance practice is grounded in a developmentally appropriate curriculum.