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Meet BIA's family of dancers, musicians, and more!

We would like to take this time to introduce the core members of BIA to you. Other BIA Fam are also listed. We hope that this info will help you to feel closer to the company and understand that not only the group has a mission, but the artists are also on personal missions in the cultural/ performing arts and it is this that makes up all of who we are as a company.

Director and Choreo. of Ballet Int'l Africans: Amina Heckstall

"I dance because something in my spirit feels sick at the thought of never dancing again. For some reason I have the need to express myself, my feelings, my experiences through this art form. It is one of the only things I would do even if I was never paid, even if there was no audience. When I dance I am another person and sometimes more myself then when not dancing, if that makes sense."

I started dancing at the age of three because I told my mom that the dancers I saw on tv, I wanted to do that. She asked my babysitter about dance schools in the area and was directed to the infamous, Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center in Jamaica Queens, that gave birth to alumni such as Kevin IAGA Jeff, Michael Peters, Ben Vereen, Chuck Davis, Camille Brown, etc., and the rest is history.

Best Experience(s) in the dance and drum community...
I have had some wonderful experiences in this community, soo many! I was going to say it was when I was awarded The Sam And May Rudin Community Service through Arts and Education Fellowship, but that didn't bring tears to my eyes, like a recent incident that took place. At the Wofabe Panel discussion on Oct. 21st, as I sat on the panel and the floor was open to questions from the audience, Momma Rochel raised her hand to speak. When she did she went on and on about how happy she was to see me serve on the panel and that I was so talented and she was passing her lineage in dance down to me, and that I had accomplished my goal to unify Africans and African Americans through my company, and she always is a supporter of my work. I do not believe there is anything in this world like the feeling of being appreciated or loved by the community. I had to wipe a tear. Needless to say she joined our group's Board of Honorary Elders.

Five words to describe myself: Ambitious, Determined, Impatient, Honest, and Compassionate

Five words friends would use to describe me: Blunt, Dreamchaser, Modest, Crazy, and Dancer
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, doing what you wanted to do, where would you be, what would you be doing, and with whom?: Right now?! I'd be on Goree Island in Senegal, with my daughter and my mother, dancing on the beach to drums (djembe's and kutiro drums), while the smell of fish and yassa float through the air from a nearby home.

(Bio found at link "About The Director")

Click Link Below To Read An Interview Of Amina By African,Dance,Drum,Life Blogspot.

http://africandancedrumlife.blogspot.com/2007/10/add-amina-olushola-heckstall.html

Asst. Choreo for BIA & Choreo for Modupue: Latisha Heckstall

"I dance because it is healing to my spirit. When I dance I feel no fear and am able to express myself free of any inhibitions through movement."

Latisha began to dance at the age of three at The Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center (formerly in Jamaica Queens, NY). At this facility she was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and interpretive/ African dance. She was taught by the top dancers in the profession; Obediah Wright, Shirley Black-Brown, Charles Epps, Aaron Dugger, Kevin Hunt, and Denise Bey. These instructors and her joy of music and arts inspired her to pursue a career in dance. Latisha was accepted as a dance major at Cardozo High School (Queens, NY) and had the opportunity to choreograph several pieces for the junior and senior year concert productions. At this time, Latisha was also performing as a part of the Devore Dance Company - Directed by Carolyn Devore, Tri Shades of Gold Afro-Cuban Company - Directed by Cheryl Godineaux, Lamine Thiam’s Boussou Dancers, and Cinke Folkloric Dance Theatre - Directed by Uriel Charles. With a full plate of dance experiences before her, Latisha had the opportunity to perform at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, DanceAfrica 1994, The Afrikan Street Festival, York College, and an assortment of universities across the country. In 1995, Latisha became the Asst. Choreographer for Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble, with whom she has performed all over New York; The Black Spectrum Theater, St. John‘s University, The Afrikan Poetry Theatre‘s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Djoniba‘s Dance & Drum Centre, The Paramount Theatre, Aims of Modzawe Center for Cultural Research, and more. In this group she was able to work with the children performers and prepare their choreography for the performances. She also assisted the director in her own choreographic work with the professional dancers and musicians. Latisha is also an accomplished West African musician and plays Djembe, Sangbah, Kin Kinney, and Djundjun drums. Once her work with the youth was recognized she was asked to work with the Olujimi Children’s Dance & Drum Ensemble as an Assistant Director in 1998. In 2000, Latisha began to teach at The Edge School of The Arts, for the Children’s African Dance Class and is there currently as an African dance class teacher and a drummer. Latisha serves as the main choreographer for BIA's Modupue Kidz Youth Performance Ensemble.

Asst. Choreo for AMINAIZM: Nikki Heckstall

"I dance because I have soo much energy I figure that The Creator meant for it to be put to positive use. I was drawn to this artform and have been at it for over 15 years. When I dance it is the ultimate release of my energy, any stress, any outside issues. I am able to forget for awhile about the problems of the world and focus on self-expression."

Nikki "Storm" Heckstall has had in-depth experience as a performer and as a choreographer in African dance, Horton based Modern dance technique, and Hip hop. She has been dancing since age three, starting at Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center and then going on to Devore Dance Center, and The Edge School of The Arts. She continued her training at Harlem School of The Arts and was selected by choreographer Ni ni Chen for a special piece. Storm was also a student at The Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) where the dance majors are trained at Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater. Storm has been seen in performance behind internationally known artists such as, Ashanti (R&B singer), Mr. Cheeks (Rap Artist), and currently new music sensation, Lil’ Mama (Young Rap Artist). Storm has been choreography and teaching assistant to celebrity choreographer Brice D. Vick (Ashanti, Ja-Rule, Remy Ma) and she also is the choreographer for "Storm Hip Hop Dancers" that dance behind up and coming artist Gold and Roach of Nightshift Enterprises. She has danced for Tri Shades of Gold, Cinke Folkloric Dance Theatre, and Tokounou All-Abilities Guinea Dance Company that she toured Italy with. Storm has been the principal/ soloist for not only Ballet International Africans but a hip hop group, "Queenz Finest" which has been featured on BET’s 106 & Park Live, The Apollo, The American Ballroom Dance Studio/ Pierre Dulaine, and BRIC Studios. Now, as the Asst. Choreographer for, "Aminaizm", her contributions to this group are highly anticipated. Storm will be on tour with Lil'Mama (New Rap sensation) and Chris Brown (R&B Artist) for December 2007 into January 2008.

Lisa Marie Washington

"I dance because it has been my passion since I could walk and it
is the history that has been passed down through my
family and on to me and my siblings. When I dance I feel a sense of freedom and a sense of peace in my spirit and it makes me feel better especially when my life is crazy."

Lisa started dancing at the age of three. Her parents put her, her two sisters, and her brother in the Bernice Johnson Cultral Arts Center in 1972 through 1988. After years of training and exploring the craft and love for dance at Bernice Johnson's (BJ's), Lisa then danced at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a year. Much of Lisa's performance experiences had been within the Ujamma Black Theater and Ebony Ensemble. She has also studied West African dance with Youssouf Koumbassa (Guinea) and Take Sissohko (Senegal), which has given her knowledge GangGang technique a great edge. Lisa's mother was a dancer who attended The High School of Performing Arts. She passed her love for dance down to her children. If not for her wisdom in seeing that her legacy may be carried by one of her seeds through dance, we may never had had a chance to know this phenomenal dancer, who exudes energy, and a timeless joy for the African culture and arts.

Ntifafa Akoko

Born in Togo, West Africa, and transplanted to the United States, N’tifafa Akoko began her formal dance training in Flint, Michigan through a youth inner-city ballet company. She continued her training with the Young People’s Ballet Theater, and also at the Flint School of Performing arts leading to an opportunity to tour Europe twice with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Dance Ensemble. Koko Attended Grand Valley State University in Michigan where she majored in Dance and pre-Physical Therapy, receiving her BA in 2006. She is now an independent study student enrolled at the Alvin Ailey School of dance where she studies dance with Milton Myers, Hope Boykin, and Maguette Camara along with various other instructors.

Vanessa Jules (Bio and Pic Soon Come)

Amanda Jules (Modupue Kidz)

Allisha Jules (BIA II)

Melinda Jules (BIA II)

Jessica Jules (Modupue Kidz)

Naiyala Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz)

Niyasha Heckstall-Weeks (Modupue Kidz)

Kaniba Alafia Kouyate-Heckstall (Modupue Kidz)

Tayo Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz & BIA II)

Fara Bangoura (Modupue Kidz & BIA II)

Khalfani Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz)

Jahir Fode Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz)

Atiba Morales

Atiba began drumming at the age of 13 when his sister an accomplished drummer, Khadyjah Morales, began to teach him. Since his beginnings with Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble and Olujimi Children's Ensemble he has gone on to be a sought after musician for dance companies and various dance schools in New York City and abroad. Atiba has been a drummer and drum teacher at some of the following places:

The Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center

The Hudson Guild Beacon (Drummer and Head Counselor)

Theater Of Dance Movement

Partnership After School Education (PASE)

St. Benedict’s School of Dance

J.J.’s Dance Studio

Studio E

I Have A Dream Foundation

International African Arts Festival Bklyn, NY July 2001, 2004, 2005

John Ryan’s Theater @ White Wave Studio Bklyn, NY July 2005

Adelphi University Garden City, NY Feb. 2007

York College Queens, NY (Multiple Times) Most recently: June 2006

SUNY Purchase College Purchase, NY Feb. 2005

Queensborough Community College Queens, NY June 2006

Vado Wenen - Benefit Concert for Vado Diomande March 2006

John Jay College - Papa Ladji Memorial

Nassau Community College Nassau, LI March 2007

Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble

Olujimi Dance And Drum Ensemble

Nankama International Dance And Drum Co.

Ballet International Africans

Aldelphi University Dance Company

Friends/ Alumni of BIA

Davalois Fearon (Alumni of Matsimela and Nankama Int'l Africans)

***Member of The Stephen Petronio Company***

Former members of Tri Shades of Gold

***Performed in Tribute to Cheryl Godineaux at BIA Concert 2006***

The Dance Hut Dancers

***Performed at BIA's Concert at BRIC Studios in Bklyn, NY 2006***

Queenz Finest (Hip-hop Dance Crew)

***In performance at BIA's Concert in 2006***

THE DRUM CALL! The Magazine for African & African American Cultural Arts
Honorary Elders & Board Members for B.I.A. The contributions of time and funds, big or small, all make what we do possible. We give thanks to the following for their time and support of the cultural arts and the work of Ballet International Africans. Diane Heckstall Cheryl Godineaux Malaika Aderomokun John Watusi Branch Shireen Dickson Davalois Fearon Tyrell Battle Leslie Hewitt "THE DRUM CALL" WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE IT'S CULTURAL ARTS AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH - MALAIKA ADEROMOKUN! Congratulations! Please read her story and answers to questions, as well as other stories dealing with the cultural arts of Africa, every week in "The Drum Call"!	Meet BIA's family of dancers, musicians, and more! We would like to take this time to introduce the core members of BIA to you. Other BIA Fam are also listed. We hope that this info will help you to feel closer to the company and understand that not only the group has a mission, but the artists are also on personal missions in the cultural/ performing arts and it is this that makes up all of who we are as a company. Director and Choreo. of Ballet Int'l Africans: Amina Heckstall "I dance because something in my spirit feels sick at the thought of never dancing again. For some reason I have the need to express myself, my feelings, my experiences through this art form. It is one of the only things I would do even if I was never paid, even if there was no audience. When I dance I am another person and sometimes more myself then when not dancing, if that makes sense." I started dancing at the age of three because I told my mom that the dancers I saw on tv, I wanted to do that. She asked my babysitter about dance schools in the area and was directed to the infamous, Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center in Jamaica Queens, that gave birth to alumni such as Kevin IAGA Jeff, Michael Peters, Ben Vereen, Chuck Davis, Camille Brown, etc., and the rest is history. Best Experience(s) in the dance and drum community... I have had some wonderful experiences in this community, soo many! I was going to say it was when I was awarded The Sam And May Rudin Community Service through Arts and Education Fellowship, but that didn't bring tears to my eyes, like a recent incident that took place. At the Wofabe Panel discussion on Oct. 21st, as I sat on the panel and the floor was open to questions from the audience, Momma Rochel raised her hand to speak. When she did she went on and on about how happy she was to see me serve on the panel and that I was so talented and she was passing her lineage in dance down to me, and that I had accomplished my goal to unify Africans and African Americans through my company, and she always is a supporter of my work. I do not believe there is anything in this world like the feeling of being appreciated or loved by the community. I had to wipe a tear. Needless to say she joined our group's Board of Honorary Elders. Five words to describe myself: Ambitious, Determined, Impatient, Honest, and Compassionate Five words friends would use to describe me: Blunt, Dreamchaser, Modest, Crazy, and Dancer If you could be anywhere in the world right now, doing what you wanted to do, where would you be, what would you be doing, and with whom?: Right now?! I'd be on Goree Island in Senegal, with my daughter and my mother, dancing on the beach to drums (djembe's and kutiro drums), while the smell of fish and yassa float through the air from a nearby home. (Bio found at link "About The Director") Click Link Below To Read An Interview Of Amina By African,Dance,Drum,Life Blogspot. http://africandancedrumlife.blogspot.com/2007/10/add-amina-olushola-heckstall.html Asst. Choreo for BIA & Choreo for Modupue: Latisha Heckstall *"I dance because it is healing to my spirit. When I dance I feel no fear and am able to express myself free of any inhibitions through movement."* Latisha began to dance at the age of three at The Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center (formerly in Jamaica Queens, NY). At this facility she was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and interpretive/ African dance. She was taught by the top dancers in the profession; Obediah Wright, Shirley Black-Brown, Charles Epps, Aaron Dugger, Kevin Hunt, and Denise Bey. These instructors and her joy of music and arts inspired her to pursue a career in dance. Latisha was accepted as a dance major at Cardozo High School (Queens, NY) and had the opportunity to choreograph several pieces for the junior and senior year concert productions. At this time, Latisha was also performing as a part of the Devore Dance Company - Directed by Carolyn Devore, Tri Shades of Gold Afro-Cuban Company - Directed by Cheryl Godineaux, Lamine Thiam’s Boussou Dancers, and Cinke Folkloric Dance Theatre - Directed by Uriel Charles. With a full plate of dance experiences before her, Latisha had the opportunity to perform at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, DanceAfrica 1994, The Afrikan Street Festival, York College, and an assortment of universities across the country. In 1995, Latisha became the Asst. Choreographer for Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble, with whom she has performed all over New York; The Black Spectrum Theater, St. John‘s University, The Afrikan Poetry Theatre‘s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Djoniba‘s Dance & Drum Centre, The Paramount Theatre, Aims of Modzawe Center for Cultural Research, and more. In this group she was able to work with the children performers and prepare their choreography for the performances. She also assisted the director in her own choreographic work with the professional dancers and musicians. Latisha is also an accomplished West African musician and plays Djembe, Sangbah, Kin Kinney, and Djundjun drums. Once her work with the youth was recognized she was asked to work with the Olujimi Children’s Dance & Drum Ensemble as an Assistant Director in 1998. In 2000, Latisha began to teach at The Edge School of The Arts, for the Children’s African Dance Class and is there currently as an African dance class teacher and a drummer. Latisha serves as the main choreographer for BIA's Modupue Kidz Youth Performance Ensemble. Asst. Choreo for AMINAIZM: Nikki Heckstall "I dance because I have soo much energy I figure that The Creator meant for it to be put to positive use. I was drawn to this artform and have been at it for over 15 years. When I dance it is the ultimate release of my energy, any stress, any outside issues. I am able to forget for awhile about the problems of the world and focus on self-expression." Nikki "Storm" Heckstall has had in-depth experience as a performer and as a choreographer in African dance, Horton based Modern dance technique, and Hip hop. She has been dancing since age three, starting at Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center and then going on to Devore Dance Center, and The Edge School of The Arts. She continued her training at Harlem School of The Arts and was selected by choreographer Ni ni Chen for a special piece. Storm was also a student at The Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) where the dance majors are trained at Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater. Storm has been seen in performance behind internationally known artists such as, Ashanti (R&B singer), Mr. Cheeks (Rap Artist), and currently new music sensation, Lil’ Mama (Young Rap Artist). Storm has been choreography and teaching assistant to celebrity choreographer Brice D. Vick (Ashanti, Ja-Rule, Remy Ma) and she also is the choreographer for "Storm Hip Hop Dancers" that dance behind up and coming artist Gold and Roach of Nightshift Enterprises. She has danced for Tri Shades of Gold, Cinke Folkloric Dance Theatre, and Tokounou All-Abilities Guinea Dance Company that she toured Italy with. Storm has been the principal/ soloist for not only Ballet International Africans but a hip hop group, "Queenz Finest" which has been featured on BET’s 106 & Park Live, The Apollo, The American Ballroom Dance Studio/ Pierre Dulaine, and BRIC Studios. Now, as the Asst. Choreographer for, "Aminaizm", her contributions to this group are highly anticipated. Storm will be on tour with Lil'Mama (New Rap sensation) and Chris Brown (R&B Artist) for December 2007 into January 2008. Lisa Marie Washington "I dance because it has been my passion since I could walk and it is the history that has been passed down through my family and on to me and my siblings. When I dance I feel a sense of freedom and a sense of peace in my spirit and it makes me feel better especially when my life is crazy." Lisa started dancing at the age of three. Her parents put her, her two sisters, and her brother in the Bernice Johnson Cultral Arts Center in 1972 through 1988. After years of training and exploring the craft and love for dance at Bernice Johnson's (BJ's), Lisa then danced at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a year. Much of Lisa's performance experiences had been within the Ujamma Black Theater and Ebony Ensemble. She has also studied West African dance with Youssouf Koumbassa (Guinea) and Take Sissohko (Senegal), which has given her knowledge GangGang technique a great edge. Lisa's mother was a dancer who attended The High School of Performing Arts. She passed her love for dance down to her children. If not for her wisdom in seeing that her legacy may be carried by one of her seeds through dance, we may never had had a chance to know this phenomenal dancer, who exudes energy, and a timeless joy for the African culture and arts. Ntifafa Akoko Born in Togo, West Africa, and transplanted to the United States, N’tifafa Akoko began her formal dance training in Flint, Michigan through a youth inner-city ballet company. She continued her training with the Young People’s Ballet Theater, and also at the Flint School of Performing arts leading to an opportunity to tour Europe twice with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Dance Ensemble. Koko Attended Grand Valley State University in Michigan where she majored in Dance and pre-Physical Therapy, receiving her BA in 2006. She is now an independent study student enrolled at the Alvin Ailey School of dance where she studies dance with Milton Myers, Hope Boykin, and Maguette Camara along with various other instructors. Vanessa Jules (Bio and Pic Soon Come) Amanda Jules (Modupue Kidz) Allisha Jules (BIA II) Melinda Jules (BIA II) Jessica Jules (Modupue Kidz) Naiyala Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz) Niyasha Heckstall-Weeks (Modupue Kidz) Kaniba Alafia Kouyate-Heckstall (Modupue Kidz) Tayo Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz & BIA II) Fara Bangoura (Modupue Kidz & BIA II) Khalfani Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz) Jahir Fode Heckstall-Morales (Modupue Kidz) Atiba Morales Atiba began drumming at the age of 13 when his sister an accomplished drummer, Khadyjah Morales, began to teach him. Since his beginnings with Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble and Olujimi Children's Ensemble he has gone on to be a sought after musician for dance companies and various dance schools in New York City and abroad. Atiba has been a drummer and drum teacher at some of the following places: The Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center The Hudson Guild Beacon (Drummer and Head Counselor) Theater Of Dance Movement Partnership After School Education (PASE) St. Benedict’s School of Dance J.J.’s Dance Studio Studio E I Have A Dream Foundation International African Arts Festival Bklyn, NY July 2001, 2004, 2005 John Ryan’s Theater @ White Wave Studio Bklyn, NY July 2005 Adelphi University Garden City, NY Feb. 2007 York College Queens, NY (Multiple Times) Most recently: June 2006 SUNY Purchase College Purchase, NY Feb. 2005 Queensborough Community College Queens, NY June 2006 Vado Wenen - Benefit Concert for Vado Diomande March 2006 John Jay College - Papa Ladji Memorial Nassau Community College Nassau, LI March 2007 Matsimela Family In Spirit Ensemble Olujimi Dance And Drum Ensemble Nankama International Dance And Drum Co. Ballet International Africans Aldelphi University Dance Company Friends/ Alumni of BIA Davalois Fearon (Alumni of Matsimela and Nankama Int'l Africans) *Member of The Stephen Petronio Company* Former members of Tri Shades of Gold *Performed in Tribute to Cheryl Godineaux at BIA Concert 2006* The Dance Hut Dancers *Performed at BIA's Concert at BRIC Studios in Bklyn, NY 2006* Queenz Finest (Hip-hop Dance Crew) *In performance at BIA's Concert in 2006*	Navigation HERE - YOU AND THE DRUM ARE ONE... OUR PURPOSE CULTURAL ARTS MEET THE COMPANY! UPCOMING EVENTS SUPPORT BIA BRANCHES OF BIA "THE DRUM CALL" Services faq

THE DRUM CALL!

The Magazine for African & African American Cultural Arts

Meet BIA's family of dancers, musicians, and more!

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