Pamela Jackson Badila received a Bachelor of Science in Education and Creative Art at the University of Old Westbury in 1977. She taught African Folklore at Nassau Community College professionally for over seven years. In 1981 she went to tour the Ivory Coast with Les Guirivoires and visited Paris on an invitation from Le Grand Ballet d’Afrique Noir. She met Andre in Paris and subsequently joined the infamous Ballet Kodia. Pamela currently lives in Hudson NY where she continues teaching in the Arts.
Team Group: Summer Guest Teaching Artists
Shakia Barron
Shakia Barron is a choreographer, performer, and dance educator whose work is rooted in the African Diaspora, focusing on Hip-Hop, House and other African diasporic dance forms. She graduated with her MFA in Choreography at Wilson College, she holds an Associate’s degree in dance and psychology from Dean College, a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Westfield State University, and she received the National Dance Institute’s teaching artist certificate in 2009.
Barron has choreographed and directed more than 50 Hip-Hop, modern, African and lyrical works that have been performed at Trenton Education Dance Institute, Rider University, the Princeton School of Ballet, Bates Dance Festival and Jacob’s Pillow. She has performed for numerous Hip-Hop events and has opened for concerts by Fat Joe, Jadakiss, 112, Charlie Baltimore, and Kima from “Total” and Omarion.
Dashawn Davis
Dashawn is a professional dancer from Hartford, CT. As a professional dancer, Dashawn has performed as a member of the Connecticut Sun “Solar Power” dance team and is the coach for the 860 Boys Dance Team as well as the Hartford Yard Goats youth dance team. Dashawn has also been involved in various dance projects including MTV’s Next Big Dance Move and a dancer for the Emmy award winning film “While You Were Gone” featured in Online Dance Magazine.
Insta: dash13davis
Facebook: Dashawn ” NAZTYDASH” Davis
Sereena Hunter
Sereena Hunter is a powerhouse dancer, choreographer and instructor. Her classes are dynamic, energetic and LOVED by students of all ages and backgrounds because of her exceptional teaching style and the joyful atmosphere she creates. Sereena studied a variety of dance styles and completed her formal training as a choreographer and instructor at Manchester College and Clague and Green Performing Arts School in the UK. She founded Urbanized Dance Academy in 2014 in Manchester, UK. and has been teaching and performing in the UK and US for many years.
King Charles
King Charles is a Chicago Footwork pioneer from the Southside of Chicago and a prominent international teaching artist for Chicago Footwork. He has been a global ambassador for the art form for over 20 years. King Charles is the founder and leader of Creation Global, an international Chicago Footwork dance crew with over 70 members worldwide. King Charles was the Artistic Director of renowned Chicago dance company, The FootworKINGZ, who was featured on major television shows including America’s Got Talent and America’s Best Dance Crew. King Charles has worked professionally with many iconic artists including touring with Madonna for years and performing with artists such as Elton John and Will.I.Am. King Charles continues to blow audiences away with his energy and creativity. His commercial work and stage performances include Omarian, Twista, Bakermat, Willow Smith, Verizon, and Nike – just to name a few. King Charles is also a mentor to many future leaders world-wide and a skilled rapper/MC. King Charles is the CEO and co-founder of Chicago Footworkology.
Jackson Whalan
Jackson Whalan is a lyricist and producer from The Berkshires, MA creating hip-hop from the heart to uplift and inspire listeners around the world. He has independently released over 100 songs, including LPs, EPs, singles, and features while touring extensively both solo and with a live band. Highlights include performing at The United Nations Headquarters, graduating from The New School, touring with Moon Hooch, and collaborations with Hip Hop legends including KRS-One.
Learn more at jacksonwhalan.com
Daphne Zneimer
Daphne Zneimer is originally from Los Angeles, CA where she trained with Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Yuri Grigoriev, and Marat Daukayev School of Ballet. When in Los Angeles, she has performed with Royal Danish Ballet, Los Angeles Classical Ballet and guest artist for Aoelian Ballet. Daphne has studied during the summers with ABT, the Kirov Academy, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School and LINES Ballet. Daphne spent a decade in San Francisco dancing nationally and internationally with Liss Fain Dance, Napoles Ballet, Adhesive Dance Theatre, Perceptions West, Maligrad, and Push Up Something Hidden. Daphne graduated with a B.F.A in Ballet Pedagogy from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. There she was featured in La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, works by Martha Graham, the title role of Juliet in Jean Grand-Maitre’s Romeo and Juliet and performed with Adam Miller Dance Project. When Daphne moved back to Los Angeles she earned her pilates certification from Whole Body Method. Daphne is now teaching dance and pilates at Marat Daukayev School of Ballet and Bodyscape PT Clinic. Her focus is using all her ballet, modern and pilates knowledge to build strong and healthy movers and dancers.