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Jeannie Mitchell
April 2009 marks Jeannie’s one-year anniversary as a member of the MUV family. She became enamored with dance from childhood, participating in block party dance battles, and later, in one of her proudest moments, giving birth to a baby born to dance. Jeannie’s association with dance began by working backstage for over 17 years with her daughter’s dance companies. She also volunteers as a dance teacher/choreographer for the Nubian Angels, a dance group for girls ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old. Jeannie thanks Shalewa for having faith and trust in her as a dancer. Jeannie says, “Most of all I would like to thank God, for without Him I am nothing.”
Photos by Jaecyne Howell
Monica K. Pindle
has a lifelong love for arts was fostered by her parents who were professional vocalists. She developed her love for music and dance studying piano, flute and classical ballet at The Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. At 11, she travelled to England to perform for the Military. An alumna of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Monica is a renaissance woman, both an accomplished engineer and a health & fitness professional who capitalizes on her knowledge of dance and sports. Monica has had the pleasure of sharing her love of dance and music with students from toddler through high school age at Henry Street Settlement-Abrons Arts Center, South Bronx Community Action Theatre and Freedom Academy. Her influence encouraged many students to go on to pursue careers in the Arts, along with the fields of Math & Science. Maturing in her faith, she began dancing and co-directing liturgical groups in NYC at the Central Baptist Church and in Miami at the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Monica's passion has always been moving to the rhythm of several drums, allowing the music to move her spiritually until she is encompassed wholly by what those who know the groove call "a Higher Place" in the musics sound, always on a journey to be uplifted.
Renee K. Smith
is a graduate from The New School University with an M. S. in Non Profit Management and Hunter College of the City University of New York with a B.A. in Dance Education. Her work as an artist and educator has allowed her to travel the world learning and compiling movement that she hopes will one day help others share in her joy for movement. Her movement vocabulary includes ballet, tap, jazz, as well as cultural dances of the Caribbean and African Diaspora. She has danced with Gabri Christa, PAKA Dance Company, Baba Chuck Davis, Magbana Drum and Dance Company and Kow Teff African Dance Company. Renee is one of the founding members of U Betta Work Dance Productions that has produced dance programs including Outspoken: Tribute to Womens History. She continues to further her training in Dunham technique and will be a candidate for certification in the near future. Overall, her greatest joy is teaching. She currently is the Arts Education Director at Ifetayo Cultural Arts, Inc. She hopes to be able to create opportunities for cultural arts experiences for the community and to continue passing on the lessons learned from lifes rich experiences.
Erline Trumpet
is a multi-faceted cultural warrior. A well respected costume and clothing designer, musician and committed student of the dances of the African Diaspora, Erline has performed with the late Cheryl Byrons Something Positive Dance Company and Harambee. This is Erlines first season with Movement for the Urban Village.
Photo Credit: Frederick Piccarello
