Connect With Us

Sam is an energetic Dancer with 7 years of experience performing solo and with highly talented dance groups (Balie Fuzion Dance Company, Ubuntu Dance Company). 

She is a confident and driven dancer with exceptional desire and endurance, abundantly skilled in Breaking, House and Whack/Punking dance genres.

Sam is a compassionate mentor in Rites of Passage to young girls at Village Academy, Volunteer and activist in the African-American Community (Together We Stand nonprofit and Eturnal Roots Band).

Her goal is to use  dance  to heal the sector of  society that is  by and large ignored by the

dominant culture. And in doing so, free the minds of people who have been restricted in their own natural growth, thus  promoting self-awareness, discipline, confidence, and healthy expression.

Elizabeth City, NC native Antwonne Keys is an alum of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice and  a minor in General Music. 

A graduate student at  Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University majoring in Physical Education, he is  currently a Lead Instructor for University Instructors at Douglas Park Elementary School for Portsmouth Public Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia. Antwonne is  a Creative Team Member for COMMIT Dance Fitness as a Dance Fitness Instructor, certified Lifeguard through American Red Cross, and  on Band Staff as Dance/Choreographer for Nasmond River High School Mighty Marching Warriors in Suffolk, Virginia.

Having danced since childhood in church and throughout college, with training in various genres,  Antwonne is excited to lend his Step and Hip Hop expertise to our Dance Ensemble!

Jara, a Health and Wellness Speaker for Fit Goddess Tribe, LLC, remains profoundly

grateful for her fitness journey and the individuals who have shaped it. Her unwavering love and commitment to fitness drive her to share her passion with others who are eager to step onto the path of wellness. Her ultimate goal is to help individuals understand that fitness is predominantly a mental journey, profoundly impacting the mind, body, and spirit.

Jara, in her role as Health and Wellness Speaker, has presented at multiple different local community events, spreading her message of holistic health and wellness. She's also launched two insightful podcasts, "Fit to Heal" and "Empowerment Bookstore," to provide a platform for inspiring discussions and insights into personal growth and well-being.

This transformational shift sparked the birth of Fit Goddess Tribe, LLC, a holistic wellness brand dedicated to cultivating and sustaining healthy lifestyle choices and habits. Their mission extends to the community, aiming to strengthen individuals physically, mentally, emotionally, and

socially through diverse programs and events.

Norfolk native Porlicia Brown has always had a gift of working with  all ages through dance and fitness. She was in the Spartan Legion Band as a member of the Hot Ice Dance team; member of the Order of Eastern Stars; ACHI Awards winner; Arabia Temple #12 Fish Bowl Queen 2023; and Norfolk State Alumni Band.

Porlicia is a proud fitness Instructor for the Hampton Roads Area and Owner of Smile-Breathe-Move-Fitness & Dance LLC. Porlicia has been getting people excited about fitness for over 16 years now!  She is AFAA certified in Group Fitness, licensed in all Zumba formats, R.I.P.P.E.D, Commit, ChairOne, and is a Mixxedfit Master Educator.  She also teach Senior Aerobics, Yoga and Line Dancing as well. 

Porlicia has also served as a cheerleading coach at many area schools. At Dance Dimensions, she is the stunt coach and fitness Instructor. Porlicia also teaches fitness for the City of Portsmouth. Porlicia motivates others with her smile and energy for all around her to be their very best in all they do.

Mrs. Addico Cohen has fused her performing abilities, fluency in many languages, and innate fitness to become an international Zumba® and African Dance instructor, teaching thousands of kids and adults in her local Hampton Roads area and beyond. She is a multiple Presenter of the

international Zumba Instructors Convention, where she was awarded Humanitarian of the

Year in 2022.

Korkor/KK has created several highly acclaimed avenues through which she shares her African culture with adults and children alike, using the arts, history, and language. She has created a 3-tier educational program that has placed her and the nonprofit she founded, Tidewater African Cultural Alliance (TACA), on the Teaching Roster of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. She is also a teaching artist with Young Audiences Virginia/Arts 4 Learning, and a highly sought after (African) Dance Instructor and Choreographer.

After having spent part of the 2023 summer immersed in the cultural arts of her native Ghana, KK is excited to share what she learned with the community, mostly through TACA, and to broaden the high school dancers’ vocabulary through teach West African Dance for the Governor’s School of the Arts be joining the Dance faculty of the Governor’s School of the Arts.

Toya Monger is a proud Navy Veteran from Jackson, MS.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s in Human Performance and Nutrition. Her fitness journey began in 2014 as a dance fitness instructor, and since then, she's expanded to teach multiple formats with certifications as a Group Fitness Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer through ACE.

She currently serves as the Fitness Coordinator at the Kroc Center, where she  leads with passion and purpose. Teaching senior fitness classes holds a special place in her heart—it’s where joy, movement, and connection come alive.

Dmitri Clawson, affectionately known as Ikenna (meaning God's power in the Igbo language of Nigeria) Love, is a talented

percussionist with over 30 years of experience. He learned to play various instruments under the guidance of master drummers from Senegal, as well as local and regional drummers. 

In addition to traditional African drumming, he immersed himself in the culture and customs of African drummers who have contributed to international rhythms. Although he has never traveled to Africa, Africa came to him, and the essence of Africa has profoundly influenced him.

Ghana native Nana Yaw  is a passionate percussionist dedicated to fostering community through rhythm, where each gathering is an opportunity to connect, learn, and express yourself freely. Through interactive drum circles and movement-based exploration, participants will not only refine their musical skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of drumming and dance traditions worldwide.

Come feel the beat, embrace the energy, and be part of a rhythmic journey that unites people through the universal language of music!

Ricky Micou holds a Master in Music Percussion Performance from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale , IL; a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena; MS Graduate Studies , Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL; and a Certificate of Training from the Navy School of Music, Little Creek, Norfolk , VA. 

Ricky has performed throughout the United States, South America, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Costa Rica as a Musician in the Navy Band. Ricky has also performed 500 shows as a working as a drummer at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA; as a Drummer/Percussionist at London Bridge Baptist Church, Virginia Beach , VA; and as a professional steel drummer throughout the Hampton Roads area.

He is an Adjunct Percussion Instructor at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Hampton University, and Percussion Instructor at Music and Arts.

 Chesapeake native Paige Johnson is a passionate musician with experience in clarinet and saxophone performance, mixing, audio engineering, sound design, and music production. 

With a sharp ear for detail and a deep love for storytelling through sound, she brings emotion and clarity to every project. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2021 with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production, blending technical skill with artistic vision. 

Driven, resourceful, and community-minded, she’s dedicated to building an impactful career in the global music industry while empowering others through collaboration and innovation.