Chellamar Bernard, (Brooklyn, NY), graduated from SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory in May 2007. He is also a graduate of the prestigious F.H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts. He has freelanced with nathantrice/RITUALS, Opus Dance Company, and Galdmans Dance Theatre. Additionally, Bernard has danced with the H.T. Chen Company and with H. T. Chen & Dancers. He has worked as a summer counselor for Ailey Camp, working in NYC with at-risk youth. His most recent dance credits include performing with Philadanco. Currently, he is a dance and fitness instructor at Boys and Girls Harbor in Harlem and an instructor at New Canaan Dance Academy in Connecticut. He is a Professional Trainer at Reebok Sports Club in Manhattan and has recently started competing in the regional Golden Gloves boxing competitions. Bernard joined Genesis Dance Company in 2007.
Mallory Butcher, (Ohio), is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University, receiving her BFA in dance performance and choreography with a minor in psychology. In 2004, she was an intern with The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company having the distinct honor of performing with the company at City Center in the Fall For Dance Concert. Since moving to NY, Butcher has had the opportunity to work with and perform the works of esteemed choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald, Camille Brown, M'bewe Escobar, Murray Louis, and Earl Mosley. She has danced with several contemporary companies including Eva Dean Dance Company, Forces of Nature, M’Word, and Vissi Dance Theater. Currently, she is a Pilates and dance instructor at Dancewave and IN MOTION in Brooklyn and member of Naganuma Dance. Butcher joined Genesis Dance Company in 2007. Jessica Higgins, bio to be added soon
Courtney Jackson, (Dayton, Ohio), trained at Dayton Ballet School as well as Cornish College of the Arts Prep Dance Division in Seattle, Washington as a scholarship student. She received her B.F.A. from The Alvin Ailey/Fordham University dance program. She is currently pursuing a career in Medicine at Columbia University and has been featured on the new hit Nickelodeon television series “The Backyardigans” as the animated dancing hippo, “Tasha”. Jackson joined Genesis Dance Company in 2003.
Pagan Jordan, (New York), received her B.F.A. in Dance from Adelphi University. In 2002, she graduated from F.H. LaGuardia High School. During her studies, she trained in classical ballet, Graham, tap and jazz and had the opportunity to perform in works choreographed by Camille Brown, Leda Meredith, Sharon Wong, M’bewe Escobar, H.T. Chen, Kathleen Dyer and many others. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with Genesis Dance Company and would like to thank her family for their encouragement and support. Jordan joined Genesis Dance Company in 2008.
Julie Petrusak, (Fairfax, VA), is currently a student in The Alvin Ailey/Fordham University B.F.A. program in dance. Previously she studied with the Maryland Youth Ballet and graduated from the Release Time Program in 2006. She has performed works choreographed by Lucy Bowen McCauley, Daniel Gwirtzman, and Max Luna III. She is thrilled to be working and performing with Genesis Dance Company and has learned so much from this experience. Petrusak joined Genesis Dance Company as the administrative intern in 2008.
Jonathan Ponder, bio to be added soon
LaToya Roberson, (Shreveport, LA), began dancing at the age of three under the instruction of her mother. She then went on to train at schools such as Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts and Dance Theater of Harlem. In 1999, she moved to New York City to attend The Ailey School as a fellowship student. Since leaving the school, she has danced on numerous television shows, including Live! with Regis and Kelly and the MTV Video Music Awards. Currently, she is studying to receive a certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. She is an instructor at A.T.D. Dancenter and Dvalda and Sirico Music and Dance Center. Roberson joined Genesis Dance Company in 2007.
Kendra Ross, (Detroit, MI), began her dance training in African dance. After studying with Cuban native, Danis ì La Moraî Perez, she became her apprentice and assistant, traveling with her to Cuba as an honorary member of her children’s company, Adian Mode. In May 2007, Ross received her B.F.A. from The Alvin Ailey/Fordham University dance program. During her studies in The Ailey/Fordham program, she had the opportunity to perform works by Alvin Ailey, David Parsons, Nathan Trice, Sean Curran and Earl Mosley. Currently, she is an apprentice with Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE and Urban Bush Women. Ross joined Genesis Dance Company in 2008.
Sabrina Souilah, (Geneva, Switzerland) began her studies at The School of Dance of Geneva, under the direction of Beatriz Consuelo. While studying there, she became a member of The Junior Ballet and worked with The Grand Theatre and Geneva Opera. A proud graduate of The Ailey School, she has had the opportunity to work with Lula Washington Dance Theater, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance and Errol Grimes Dance Group among others. She is a dance instructor for The National Council on Women’s Health and a certified Pilates instructor. She is very pleased to return to Genesis for another uplifting season. Souilah joined Genesis Dance Company in 2002.
Shanele Thomas, bio to be added soon
Christianna Tamayo Toler, (Berkeley, CA), began her training at Berkeley City Ballet. She has studied at The Ailey School and Joffrey Ballet School, both as a scholarship recipient. She has apprenticed with Ballet Hispanico and is currently a member of The Fred Benjamin Dance Company. Toler has had the privilege of performing with artists such as Mylene Farmer in Paris, France and Beyoncé. Most recently, she made television appearances on The View and The Regis and Kelly Show. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. Toler joined Genesis Dance Company in 2008.
Sarah Yarborough, (New York), was a principle dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She is classically trained and was the recipient of the Ford Foundation Scholarship from George Balanchine to study at the School of American Ballet. Sarah has performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Internationally hailed as one of the leading lights of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Sarah was also a member of the Harkness Ballet, The Robert Joffrey Ballet, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet. Her mission in teaching and coaching all levels of students is to offfer the art of dance from the highest level of training and performance.