L. James O’Gilvie was born and raised in Boston MA. He began his dance education with Boston Ballet School’s City Dance Program progressing to the Pre-Professional level. In 2017, following a summer studying at The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive in New York, James was inspired to expand his dance education with other genres and joined Urbanity Dance as a student, Youth Company member and Junior Apprentice. In 2020, James was accepted into University of Hartford, The Hartt School, with a full tuition scholarship as a Dance Performance major. He received his BFA in May 2024 and during his time there he had the immense pleasure and privilege of performing works by Martha Graham, José Limon, Lar Lubovitch, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Pascal Rioult, Tamisha Guy, and Jamar Roberts. Through the Hartt School James was also able to travel abroad to study Gaga Rep and Crystal Pite Rep at the Henny Jurriëns Studio in Amsterdam. James has guested for Peter DiMuro’s Public Displays of Motion in Boston, MA, for Connecticut Concert Ballet and for Fisher Ballet School both in CT. James is thrilled to be joining the Philadanco family this season!

Kameren Breon Whigham began his training in dance at the tender age of seven. Through attending performing arts elementary, middle, and high school, his passion for dance and choreography grew immensely. After graduating from Dillard High School Center for the Arts, Kameren relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend the University of the Arts as a dance major where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance. Kameren has performed the works of choreographers such as Gary Jeter, Kim Bears Bailey, Juel D. Lane, Tommie Waheed, and more! His film credits include Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues”(Choreographer: Debbie Allen).

Erin Banks (McDonough, Georgia) began her training at Eagles Landing Dance Center before training pre-professionally at Anthony Burrell Center for Dance under the direction of Anthony Burrell. She has furthered her training at summer intensive programs, such as American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Erin has worked commercially in movies, televised award shows, and television series on networks, such as LifeTime, Netflix, TVOne, and Amazon Prime. In May 2024, she graduated with a BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from TCU’s School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, where she studied under a Faculty Scholarship and a Dance Scholarship. This is Erin’s first season with Philadanco!

Photo Credit: Josh Brewster

Israel Hilton (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) began his training at the age of 15 years old. He began studying Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip- Hop and Musical Theatre at The Dance Centre. After graduating high school he went on to attend and graduate from Alabama State University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance. During his time at ASU he received the Ware- Spencer Best Male Ballet Dancer Award 2018-2022, has done works by choreographers such as Ja’Morris Rivers, James Atkinson, Kavin T Grant and many more. He is excited to share his work and expand his artistic horizons.

Kaylah Arielle is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and started her dance training at the age of 5. She attended Baltimore School for the Arts where she studied under Norma Pera, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, and Anton Wilson. Kaylah has received scholarships to train over the summer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Ailey School. She graduated from Spelman College with her B.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. Kaylah was a former company artist with the Atlanta Dance Connection under the direction of Allyne D Gartrell. She is the newly appointed Artistic Director of D/3, PHILADANCO’s junior company.

Janine N. Beckles, a native of New York City, embarked on her dance journey at the age of six at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Over the course of eight years, she honed her skills under a fellowship scholarship. She continued her training at LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, where she performed iconic pieces such as “Memoria,” “Hymn,” and “Revelations,” all while on full scholarship. Janine pursued higher education, earning a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA in Sociology from Southern Methodist University on full scholarship in Dallas, TX. Her dedication to modern dance was recognized as a National Foundation of the Arts awardee.

During her tenure as a member of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Janine displayed her talent and her passion for community outreach. She initiated and led a program in the Oak Cliff section of South Dallas, introducing ballet training, performance opportunities, valuable life lessons, and mentorship to at-risk teenage girls. Janine’s commitment extends beyond the stage; she is a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member. Furthermore, her expertise in dance education led her to be selected as one of the 2018–2019 Visiting Teaching Fellows for the School of American Ballet. She has taught internationally, exposing inner-city youths to the art of dance.

In her remarkable 14th season with Philadanco, Janine serves as a lead principal dancer and the company’s Graham teacher. She also contributes to the community as a board member of the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers Association (PVLA), National Urban League Emerging Leader, and a recent graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

Recognized for her exceptional talent and leadership, Janine was recently promoted to Associate Artistic Director of Philadanco while continuing to excel as one of its lead dancers. Her accomplishments have also earned her a feature in Dance Magazine’s February issue, highlighting her role as a new black leader in dance companies.
 

Leslie Bunkley, an Atlanta native started her dance training at the age of three at Price Performing Arts Center where she was apart of the performance and competition team performing locally and nationally. She then furthered her dance education at Tri-Cities High School joining the Visual and Performing Arts Dance Magnet program. While in high school, she also trained at The Atlanta Ballet, Metropolitan Dance Theatre, and trained with master teachers like Debbie Allen. In 2017, Leslie graduated from Tri-Cities and earned a scholarship to University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. During her time at UARTS, she was granted the opportunity to perform works by many resident and guest choreographers. She recently received her B.F.A in Dance Performance from University of the Arts.

William began his Training at William M. Meredith School and Continued at Creative & Performing Arts H.S. (CAPA) under the direction of Ms. LaDiva Davis. He attended the Rock School of Dance Education and was a scholarship student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. William also has many years of training with Tap Team Two & Company, co-directed by his father, Robert Burden. William has been a company member with Eleone Dance Connection, Eleone Dance Theater/Artistic Director Shawn Lamere Williams and Spectrum Dance Theatre under the artistic direction of Mr. Donald Byrd. He has recently performed ballets like “The Browder Project” with Dawn Marie Bazemore, founder of DB Dance Project. William has been a recipient of the Marian Anderson Award in Philadelphia multiple times. William received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts.

Ankhtra Maa Brivett-Battle (Springfield, NJ) began his training at the age of 8 where he received a scholarship to train at Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive in NYC. He went on to train at Peridance Capezio Center and shortly after he trained with Manhattan Youth Ballet under the direction of Deborah Wingert.
After graduating high school, Ankhtra began dancing with PHILADANCO’s Second Company D/2 (2017-2020)
under the direction of Donald Lunsford.
In the summer of 2021, he trained at the B12 Berlin Workshop Festival in Germany where he worked with artists like Miceala Taylor and Nadine Gerspache.
Ankhtra is a 2022 BFA graduate of the University of the Arts where he was awarded a Director’s Scholarship (2018).
Ankhtra has also had the pleasure of performing in works by Tommie-Waheed (Waheedworks), Sidra Bell, Merce Cunningham, Shayla Vie-Jenkins, Thom White, Fredrick Earl Mosley and more!
Ankhtra is beyond grateful to be in his first Season with PHILADANCO!

Andrew Bryant (Miami, FL) began his formal dance training at the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre under the direction of Traci Young Byron. He received his BFA from Towson University where he studied and performed pieces under renowned artists such as Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Ray Mercer and Kim Bears-Bailey. Bryant trained at The Ailey School as a scholarship student and later transitioned into Ailey ll where he would perform works by William Forsythe, Alvin Ailey , and Francessca Harper .This is Bryant’s first season with Philadanco .

Headshot by Nir Arieli

Aliyah Clay is a dance and teaching artist from Newark, Delaware. In December 2022, she graduated early summa cum laude from University of the Arts where she received a BFA in Dance, with a minor in Business and a Pilates Mat certification. Her dance training includes Christina Cultural Arts Center, Dance4Life School of The Arts and Training Institute, Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and BalletX. She has performed works by numerous choreographers including Ulysses Dove, Helen Pickett, Gary Jeter, Sidra Bell and Gregory Dawson. Aliyah has worked closely with Tommie-Waheed Evans as a collaborator in Waheedworks. She is currently in her first season with Philadanco!

Addison Hill, a native of Los Angeles, began dancing at the age of 3. She joined the Edge Performing Arts Center Teen Company member for their inaugural season. Addison attended Los Angeles County High School of the Arts where she performed repertory by Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián and others. She also danced as a trainee with Zeitgeist Dance Theater under the co-direction of Francisco Gella and Yusha Sorzano. Addison then continued her training at The Ailey School in New York City and performed works by Alvin Ailey, Ray Mercer, Brice Mousett, and Brandi Lewis. One of her most rewarding experiences was working with the world renowned Renee Robinson on The Alvin Ailey Repertory, “Night Creature”, which was performed in the Ailey Citigroup Theater. Addison is grateful and excited to be in her first Season with PHILADANCO!

Photo credit: Cheryl Mann

Nathan E. McNatt Jr. is an interdisciplinary artist that was born in Wasington, DC. He began his formal dance training at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, under the direction of Charles Augins. During his time at Ellington, Nathan was also a founding member of the Katherine Smith Contemporary Dance Ensemble (KSCDE), under the Artistic Direction of Katherine Smith and the Assistant Direction of Shene Keys. He has attended intensives at The Ailey School in New York City and The Rock School in Philadelphia. Nathan holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a major in Dance and a minor in Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology. Nathan’s Professional credentials include Garth Fagan Dance under the direction of Garth Fagan, Norwood Pennewell, and Natalie Rogers-Cropper; as well as Eleone Dance Theater under the artistic direction of Shawn-lamere Williams and Dr.Sheila Ward. Throughout his career Nathan has worked with choreographers such as Kim Y. Bears-Bailey, Christopher Huggins, Gary Jeter, Bernard Gaddis, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Sidra Bell, and Milton Meyers. He has performed at venues such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC and the Joyce Theater in New York City.

Floyd McLean, Jr., originally from East Orange NJ, is a graduate of Point Park University where he received his BFA in Dance and was awarded the Don Craig Scholarship. His dance training includes Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet Hispanico, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s: DBDT Encore! Under the direction of Nycole Ray. He has performed works by numerous choreographers and his own choreography has been featured on many occasions which has given him many choreographic opportunities to develop his voice as a choreographer. He is in his third season with Philadanco!

Brandi began her ballet training at the American Repertory Princeton Ballet School under the direction of Douglas Martin. After graduating high school in 2013, she was accepted into the LINES Ballet Training program in San Francisco, CA. She finished the program in the winter of 2015 and moved back to the tristate area to train at the Ailey School, in their Independent Study and Scholarship Programs. Brandi has also studied at some of the most prestigious intensive dance programs including The Juilliard School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet X, and Point Park University.  She had the opportunity to work with amazing choreographers, Sidra Bell, Uri Sands, Kara Davis, Dexandro Montalvo, Carmen Rozenstraten, Danielle Polanco, Milton Myers, Ray Mercer and Anthony Burrell. She is now in her fourth Season with Philadanco. 

Brena Kashun Thomas (Chicago, IL) started her dance training at the Sammy Dyer Dance Theatre in 2005 before her formal training at Chicago High School for the Arts under the direction of Lisa Johnson Willingham. Upon graduation from “Chi-Arts”, Brena received a full scholarship to study at Alonzo King Lines Ballet and Ballet Austin. Relocating to New York City, she continued her training at Dance Theatre of Harlem and was a recipient of the Joan Weill Scholarship at The Ailey School. In 2019, Brena joined Ailey Il where she toured extensively before working under the leadership of Francesca Harper. While touring with Ailey II, Ms Thomas was invited to perform with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre during their 2022 US Tour and NY Lincoln Center Season. As a professional artist Bren has performed nationally and internationally works by Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, Robert Battle, Francesca Harper, Andrea Miller, Ray Mercer, and Kirven Douthit-Boyd. Throughout her career, Ms
Thomas can be seen on stage, videos, and television, including FX hit series Pose. Recently,
she has worked with FHP Project performed at Guggenheim Museum Works & Process before becoming a member of Philadanco.

Raven Joseph is a native of Queens, New York where she completed her High School education at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts
Raven is a recent Graduate of The Juilliard School where she received her BFA in Dance , May 2023. During the Juillard commencement ceremony, Raven was honored with the leadership award – The Joseph W Polisi Prize for Dance. This prize is awarded for exemplifying Juilliard’s values of the “artist as citizen” to graduating students in Dance, Drama, and Music presented by Damian Woetzel, President of Juilliard.
In 2022, Raven was named the 2022 FENDI Vanguard Recipient. Prior in 2017, Raven won the Silver Medal in the NAACP ACT-SO Competition, in the Dance Modern Category. Raven is extremely humbled for the opportunity to receive such honors in dance.
Raven began her dance training at The Edge School of the Arts where she studied in all styles. She continued her training at The Ailey School and MOVE|NYC| where she enhanced her dance technique. As part of a foreign exchange program Raven traveled to Beijing, China where she learned Classical Chinese Folk Dance and studied the great history of China. She has performed professional works ranging from Alonzo King, Bill T. Jones, Kyle Abraham, Francesca Harper and much more.
In 2021, Raven joined the Team of EMH Young Professionals, holding dual roles leading the Arts & Education Initiatives as holding the position of Social Media Liaison.
EMH is proud of Raven, her support of youth in her community, and her accomplishments in the Arts. She is in her First Season with Philadanco!

Brittany trained at Towson University, receiving her BFA in dance and performance.