MEET OUR STAFF
TAMIKA JETT
Tamika Jett teaches Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap & Jazz at Passion Dance Center. Also Director, and Chief Executive Officer. Graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. She creates dance productions for PDC & choreographs for Golden Hearts Dance Krewe and many recording artists. Her most notable involvement: Casting Beyonce's video Lemonade, cast in box office movie Girls Trip alongside Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Regina Hall & Tiffany Haddisg, & cast member on Big Freedia’s reality show on FUSE TV. Tamika is credited in music videos with Beyonce', Solange, Big Freedia, Master P, PJ Morton, Missy Elliott, Jonas Brothers, Dee-1 & much more. VIEW TAMIKA’s CLASS SCHEDULE MICHAEL SMITH
Michael Smith (Mekhi) teaches Hip Hop & different specialty courses classes at Passion Dance Center. He is known for his artistic symmetry as a singer/songwriter, choreographer, creative director, & artist developer. His styles are influenced by Usher, Ciara, Chris Brown Ne-yo & Michael Jackson. His choreography has been seen on TV show "The Voice" with Craig Perkins & viewed on R&B sensation Princess Denisia. His choreography was displayed in 2017 Essence Music Festival, No Limit Reunion Tour. Mekhi has also worked with Ray J for BET NETWORKS. He would say, "Don't walk into your future, dance into it." VIEW MEKHI's CLASS SCHEDULE KEL BROWN
Kel Brown(KELZ) teaches coaches Passion Dance Center's Golden Hearts & Ruby Blues groups. Also serves as the Assistant Director & HR. Trained at Dance 411 & Dance 101 in Atlanta. Received bachelors degree at Dillard University in 2005 & masters degree from William Carey University in 2013. There he learned the art of mixing music and transformed into hip-hop community through his music and his dance. Manages an upcoming local artist Pursia. Kel was featured on NBC's Today Show as a dancing actor. You can see him in Solange's new music video, "Don't Touch My Hair." You can check out some of his mixes on Soundcloud (KelzOnDeck) VIEW KEL's WORK WITH THE GOLDEN HEARTS ELLE C. JONES
Elle C. Jones teaches Ballet and Pointe at Passion Dance Center. She began her artistic journey in State College, Pennsylvania, where she was inspired by the rolling hills, deep forests, and rich mixture of arts culture at Penn State University. She grew up training and performing with the pre-professional company, Ballet Theatre of Central PA, and went on to receive her BFA in dance from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2014, Elle was awarded the Bezalel Award for outstanding artistic achievement. In continuation of her dance journey, she began traveling and choreographing nationally and internationally, and eventually settled in New Orleans as a home base where she founded her own company, ELLEvate Dance, in 2018. Elle’s choreography has been nominated for three Big Easy Awards, and has been featured in The Gambit and the New Orleans Box Office Publications. Along with directing and choreographing, Elle performs feature roles with Mélange Dance Company, Artivism Dance Theatre, and The Marigny Opera Ballet. Passionate about making a difference in the lives of young dance artists, Elle teaches at a variety of after school programs and studios, including Upturn Arts and Passion Dance. VIEW ELLE's CLASS SCHEDULE KEAH MOFFETT
Keah Moffett coaches Passion Dance Center's Golden Hearts. She attended Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She received her MFA in Motion Pictures and Television Directing in Spring 2015. Keah has danced for President Obama's Inaugural Parade in 2009, ESPN Superbowl, Essence Festival, and more. You can see her in Solange's new music video, "Don't Touch My Hair" & "Cranes In The Sky." Her choreography was featured in PJ Morton's music video, "New Orleans Girl." She also has been featured in the movie, "Bad Moms" starring Mila Kunis and Jada Pinkett-Smith. She is member of the Baby Doll Ladies Company. Keah graduated with a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Hampton University in 2009, where she joined the Marching Force's Ebony Fire Dance Team. VIEW KEAH's WORK WITH GOLDEN HEARTS TAESHAUN WALTERS
Taeshaun Walters teaches Ballet, Tap and Jazz to Group 1 & TOTS at Passion Dance Center. A graduate of DeLasalle High and SUNO. She is educated in the field of chid care. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. And was named Lady Ivy in 2019. DIRECTOR- Tamika Jett
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR- Kel Brown STUDIO MANAGER- Tammy Smith BUSINESS MANAGER- Stephen Smith
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DERWIN MAY JR.
Derwin May Jr. teaches Jazz & Contemporary at Passion Dance Center. Worked with Ryan Corriston, NY Modern choreographer affiliated with Doug Varone & Dancers. Worked and performed work by Bobby Wessener, Contemporary Ballet.Worked with Stephanie Powell, instructor under modern choreographer, Donald MacKayle. Performed 'Songs of the Disinherited' by modern choreographer, Donald MacKayle. Performed Historical work 'Negro spirituals' by Helen Tamiris. Worked with and Performed contemporary ballet works By Caleb Mitchell, former dancer from Houston Ballet VIEW DERWIN's CLASS SCHEDULE DAWNE MOFFETT
Dawne Moffett is the Head Coach for Passion Dance Center's Golden Hearts. She attended Southern University at New Orleans and received my Bachelors of Art in Psychology in 2005. Dawne received her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2007 (MSW). Former coach of dance team Benjamin Franklin High & Lake Area. Growing up in Mississippi her dance moves resemble ones from the hit reality show BRING IT. Dawne was actually seen on the reality show, Bring It. Her choreography was featured in PJ Morton's music video, "New Orleans Girl." VIEW DAWNE's WORK WITH GOLDEN HEARTS REGAN PHELPS
Regan Phelps teaches contemporary, Ballet, Tap and Jazz at Passion Dance Center. She is a New Orleans native and a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Dance Department. Since graduating, she has performed with companies such as Disney Cruise Line and Warner Bros as well as artists such as Ani DiFranco and Tank and the Bangas. She currently dances with local companies Artivism and NOLA Contemporary Ballet. She has been teaching dance since she was 15 and absolutely loves it! She feels honored and thrilled to be a part of this Passion Dance Center season. VIEW REGANS's CLASS SCHEDULE JALEESA JETT
Jaleesa Jett teaches Tap at Passion Dance Center. Graduated with B.A. in Social Work from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2012. And received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans in 2014. She is now a Child Welfare Specialist working with children in foster care. Jaleesa was first trained at Deidre’s and is a member of Gulf Coast Tap Ensemble. She has performed at various festivals and flash mobs in New Orleans, including gospel singers Michelle Williams and Deitrick Haddon at the 2014 Essence Festival & Lisa Marie Presley Fight For Homelessness. VIEW JALEESA's CLASS SCHEDULE SATCHEL JOSEPH
Satchel Joseph teaches specialty courses at Passion Dance Center. She is a member of the Archangels and former member of the Golden Hearts. Her most notable involvement: Drake's "In My Feelings" music video, Beyonce’s HBO film, Lemonade, music video “Sorry”, PJ Morton, “New Orleans Girl,” Master P music videos, Dee-1, “No Car Note,” Big Freedia, “Best Beeleevah,” BET’s 365 Black Awards with Canton Jones, Essence Music Festival, and much more. Satchel is a Dance major at Tulane University. VIEW SATCHEL's CLASS SCHEDULE DINAH BUSH
Dinah Bush teaches the Ruby Blues dance group at Passion Dance Center. She also assists with Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Her hip hop styles resonates tremendously with our millennial youth. Dinah's involvement with Passion Dance Center has led to big stages such as: Essence Music Festival with Master P, No Limit Reunion Tour & Solange music video. Her most notable involvement is touring with rap cabaret artist, Boyfriend. |
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