From an early age I had a profound interest in the performing arts that involved me in cross-cultural ventures that bridge the gaps between traditional theatre and present day urban expressions of life. My background in costume production, voice, poetry, multi-cultural dance forms & martial/internal arts techniques have made a significant contribution to the creation of innovative performance art work. I trained for three years with the Spirit Wind Internal Arts Society where i recieved certification of study, performed & organized projects with poets, emcees, DJs, musicians, martial/internal & visual artists. I graduated with a B A in Theater from Temple University in the spring of 2000. I joined The WOMB Dance Collective for independant performance projects where i danced & recited original works of spoken word. I also began my course as an Instructor of Taoist Yoga, Chi Kung, Wu Tang Kung Fu & T'ai Chi Chuan at the WOMB Studio. I returned to Phiadelphia, where i was a featured spoken word artsit in the 2000 Fringe Festival's Hip-Hop to Da' Head Cabaret at the Painted Bride. In 2001, i was featured at the Community Education Center, where i performed a solo work that combined pre-recorded poetry & movements. Through this performance i was invited to join Archedream (formally Dream Theater), an archetypal mask theater troupe that performs allegories personifiying vital issues pertianing to our lives & dreams. The Philly Fringe Festival selected the inter-diciplinary performance piecve i created & developed called “Extracted Measures." This short play-on-poetry incorperated spoken word, martial arts, dance, elaborate costuming & live instrumentation.
I joined Archedream, as a dancer in the 2002 tour of “The Poet’s Dream. ” My artistic contribution to the company was extensive. I introduced the use of props such as staffs, swords and fan techniques, in addition to martial/internal arts movement forms. I was the first member of the company to write, direct, produce, perform, choreograph and create a show for performance. This show became a two act play called “the Shamyn’s Breath,” which was presented at Lady Fest Philly, Om Summer Solstice, Gaian Mind, Stones Rising & 2004 Fringe Festivals. I initiated a fundraising project called Friends of ArcheDream that culminates in an annual Auction & Performance.

I continue my commitment to the West Philadelphia community where i was partially born & raised by working with many cultural arts programs designed to meet the artistic needs for young people who require a constructive & theatrical outlet for their artistic expression. This endeavor functions in service of my goal to act as a catalyst for personal healing, social & political change through the performing arts in education.

I continue to perform, choreograph and instruct classes/workshops as an independant artist. In 2006 i was involved with B-Tru Dance Collective, a diverse group of female artists working with dance & movement explorations in the genres of B-Girlin'(breakdancing) & Martial/internal arts in combination with spoken word and other urban influenced creative expressions of life that promote women's empowerment!

i have been hosting a continuing dance & poetry performance event series featuring live instrumentation in West Philly at the Rotunda since the spring of 2006 called "Poet-tree In Motion"...& have been working on an album of poetry due to release in the spring of 2009!
i'm sure there is more to say but this is it for now!