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Welcome to Dance Rhetoric, where we explore the journey of movement with Dance Artists. Dance Rhetoric celebrates the art of invention, arrangement, style, message, and delivery through a movement artist's journey in dance culture. The dance journalism podcast hosted by Romonica Stephens, explores dance as an intellectual practice, the influence of its cultural pioneers and the new generation while highlighting the vitality of movement as a wellness practice in the current zeitgeist.
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Welcome the original Queen "Diva" of Soul Train. Damita is a valuable part of dance history who opened doors for street-style dancers to showcase their talent to the world. She broke barriers as a ballerina and street-style dancer during the Civil Rights Movement. We met at Lula Washington Theatre and talked about how her life as a ballerina led to…
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Courtni is a compassionate leader of the new generation. Her unique approach to fear has created a groundbreaking journey to her life’s purpose.We caught up at Highland Park in Los Angeles and talked about her transition from Nashville to LA, navigating industry pressure, respecting the pioneers in dance culture, and more!Photography credit: Alex C…
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Shea is a brave heart with an eclectic soul who is always ready for discovery and paving new ways for the dance culture to thrive. She is an artist not in it to win it. She lives it by ushering the way for the Icons, Legends, Pioneers, and the new generation. We caught up in our home town Santa Cruz and talked about her treasured experiences as Chi…
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An educator and creative empowering the youth in her community to take accountability in self-love and respect for others through dance arts. We talked about her influence on young women in her role as the director of Mixd Ingrdnts & Mini Mix’d dance company, opening for Amy Poehler at Cluster Fest, her definition of focus, and more!Photography by:…
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He is the example of living his divine truth. When the noise of society tries to silence his artistry, he shows up and shows out even louder.We caught up at Mission Dance Theater and talked about Vogue & Tone, manifesting his reality TV show, meeting Billy Porter, what it means to be free, and more!
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I It is Leslie's zealous approach to life that has allowed her to experience her wildest dreams. Leslie is taking her career to new heights with natural talents, elite dance training as a Juilliard graduate, and Martha Graham Dance Company performer.We had the pleasure of catching up at Washington Square Park in New York City and talked about our f…
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Packrat is a unicorn with many hats moving to her rhythm and rules in the commercial industry. Her magical and enchanting spirit will gift you with wisdom that is rare to find.We talked about her voyage from Jersey to LA, protective hairstyles between jobs, and her ingredients to living a peaceful life.…
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Gideon is paving the way for young B-boys & B-girls throughout the Bay Area community. He teaches the foundation, history, and styles of traditional B-boying to identify its essential elements and learning its relationship to dance culture.I got to catch up with him before he departed for Ghana to teach dance for the summer. We talked about his B-B…
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THE SOCIAL CENTERPIECELast Friday during happy hour, it was a casual good time getting to know Will, Reggie and Rod, the founders of Rams & Parrots. Off-air we didn’t have your typical dry conversation, I got to know them on a personal level and learned about their love for family, community and friendship.What I admired the most about them is thei…
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It was a cozy Saturday night at Rhythma Movement Arts Studios, trying to mirror intricate shapes from one of the pioneers of the Vogue José Gutierrez, Father of the House of Xtravaganza.During his Vogue workshop, he said, “no one is was left behind in my class.” Every student in the room was gifted with a new discovery about themself.The next day I…
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On October 28th I spent a Sunday afternoon gaining knowledge at the 3 Kings Master Series discussion panel at Anthony Burrell Center for Dance in Atlanta, GA. There was so much love in the studio that it felt like home. Burrell expressed at the discussion panel, “I am here for you guys, as a friend and confidant.” And he gracefully opened his arms …
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I have enjoyed a series of Heel Talk experiences within the past two years, that have inspired me to chase my own visions. Founded by Tasha B., Heel Talk is more than dance. It’s about women inspiring each other to be the best version of themselves, in heels of course! I have attended the Ladies Night Out event, Heel Talk Connection and Private Dan…
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It was a breath of fresh air spending the week with my good friend Gisella Ferreira in Venice, La where she teaches Samba, Zumba and directs her own Samba Soul Dance Company! Every night in class was a release and rebirth of self-expression into becoming the woman I want to be. The best part of this experience was connecting with the women of Samba…
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Before I departed New York, I had the pleasure of catching up with the founders of Queen Moves Guerdley & Brat at Peridance Capezio Center. Since our encounter at The Galen Hooks Method NYC Intensive back 2017, we stayed connected and I've enjoyed watching them flourish through their commitment to friendship and the Queen moves movement. These two …
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Omari’s class is a space of spiritual healing. His vocabulary in dance is stemmed from his African background in Senegalese and Mali. In every class session, Omari breaks down the movements, history, and musicality that his style of dance comes from, to conceal foundation. After his West African class at Peridance Capezio, we talked about the impor…
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Jessica Castro's Absolute Beginner Heels Class at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater was magical. Jessica magically uncovered our power in heels. Castro helped us understand how to find our center, classic lines, walks and ended classy choreography to "Darling Nikki" by Prince. After class, Jessica Castro and I talked about her part in giving back to the da…
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I was excited to take a class from Hip-Hop pioneer Buddha Stretch at Broadway Dance Center's Hip- Hop Foundation Series! In his two-part session, we learned Hip-Hop foundation, transitions, and technique!After class, I asked him about the importance of foundation and how to build your own style as a dancer. Check out his feedback and take note!Phot…
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