Artist Biographies
Bios and Headshots (click to view)
Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines
Bahiyah received her early and most influential training at the Baltimore School for the Arts. While attending The Juilliard School, she performed with artists including Jamel Gaines and Kevin Jeff, as well as with Donald Byrd/The Group and Complexions - A Concept in Dance. After receiving her B.F.A. degree in dance from Julliard, she joined the Frankfurt Ballet under the direction of William Forsythe. In 1998, she became a principal dancer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has performed principle roles with Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn and The Deutshe Opera. Bahiyah made her Broadway debut in the theatrical musical, “The Color Purple”, followed by “The Little Mermaid,” “Pal Joey,” and currently you can catch her on Broadway in “Rock of Ages.” One of her most proud moments is the birth of her son Soleil, 4 years old, who is the sunshine in her life.
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994.
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Camille Parson
Camille began her professional career at the age of 15 as an apprentice with BalletMet Columbus. Upon her graduation from high school she became a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s first company where she performed principal and soloist roles throughout the U.S. and abroad. Camille is the premiere ballet teacher within the Creative Outlet school, and servers as ballet mistress and rehearsal director with Ballet Noir. She is currently seeking her B.F.A. in the LEAP! program with St. Mary’s College of California.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2004
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Cara D. Maldonado
Cara D. Maldonado, received her BA from The Evergreen State College where her major emphasis was in performance art and environmental studies. Cara began her career as a rhythmic gymnast, training with Anelia Relenkova, former world champion of Bulgaria. She has trained with Kabby Mitchell, III and Rob Esposito. Ms. Maldonado is currently working on her degree in Ethno choreology.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2008
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Jeroboam Bozeman
Jeroboam Bozeman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He began his dance training under the direction of Ruth Sistaire at Ronald Edmonds Learning Center, where he attended school. He later began training with Jamel Gaines at Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. On his journey to becoming a professional Jeroboam also trained at The Joffrey Ballet School under the direction of George De La Pena, Dance Theatre of Harlem under Arthur Mitchell and also Complexions Contemporary Ballet under Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden all programs on full scholarship. Jeroboam began to dance professionally with Creative Outlet Company touring to London, England at the age of 16. He has worked with many artists such as Beyonce’s Choreographer Frank Gatson, George Faison, Jeffrey Page, Manwe Saul, Jamel Gaines, Darren Henson, Kelly Peters, Sarita Allen, Troy Powell, Bahyiah Sayyed Gaines, Matthew Rushing, Desmond Richardson, Dwight Rhoden, Alexandre Proia, George De La Pena, Obediah Wright, Abdel Salaam, Arthur Mitchell. Jeroboam does training in African, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Modern. In 2008 Jeroboam was nominated NAACP Act-So recipient locally and nationally. Jeroboam has done Movies, Music Videos and Television. With all of the accomplishments Jeroboam has achieved, he is thankful for the love and support of his family and loved ones. He is extremely excited for what life has in store for him. He would like to especially thank Jamel for his vision and help guiding him in the direction of moving forward.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2005
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Kevin Hunte
“Boom Boo Kat, Don do Pow”… I hear this in my head and it transcends through my body to create the movement that comes natural to me which is Hip Hop. My name is Kevin Hunte aka K’bez and I am a professional artist/performer. I started dancing with my church at 11 but dance has always been a part of me since I was a baby. I went on to train with Jamel Gaines at Creative Outlet at fifteen. I always did hip hop movements at home, imitating Michael Jackson in the mirror. Only until I arrived at Creative Outlet is when I got exposed to other styles of dance like Ballet, Modern and African. Ever since then I never looked back only ahead. As a professional, I now dance with C.O.’s company and have performed on stages across the world with them. I also got the opportunity to work on the Aida Tour of China, performed with Lil Mama, danced for the NY Auto Car show, was featured in a promo for Beyonce’s “I AM…” Tour 09′ and lastly I just finished working on the movie Step Up 3D (movie will be out summer 2010). Only God knows what is in store for my future. But I do know I am blessed and ready to take on whatever the world has to offer to me!!! Peace
Joined Creative Outlet in 2000
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Khadija Nicholas
I am Khadija Shari Nicholas and I AM an artist of the future. I started dancing really in my grandmother’s living room as a baby in Trinidad. I went on to train with schools such as Restoration Dance Theater, the Alvin Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts and of course Creative Outlet. I stepped on the Creative Outlet scene in 2001. The teachers, the atmosphere, the music, the choreography, the artists were all exhilarating and breath taking to me. I believed it was just what I needed to get me to the next level in my artistry. I went on to dance with the professional company traveling the world. Aside from dancing with the company I have always explored my other talents. Some of my greatest jobs include a tour with Aida the Broadway play in China, Winning the Miss T&T NY pageant and of course dancing with my idol Ms. Beyonce Knowles. Of them all, the most important was being featured as the only African-American female in the recent Optimum Online commercial, Dance Magazine and Discount Dance Supply book. I truly believe life is what you make it. God has given me so many gifts that I can’t afford to not use them. So, watch out world I’m coming through!!! Remember to Live on, Laugh a lot, and Love wholeheartedly……. Peace : )
Joined Creative Outlet in 2002
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Malaiyka Reid
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Malaiyka has graduated from one of the top three high schools in New York, Brooklyn Technical HS .She is currently continuing her education in accounting at Brooklyn College. She uses unconventional ways of studying her art through coaches and other mentors. As a company member of the well established Creative Outlet she has traveled nationally and world wide. Alongside that Malaiyka has worked as a backup singer and dancer with many artists, such as Amanda Diva and Kat Deluna, to name a few. Working in projects such as Aida China Tour, and being titled winner of NFAA ‘05 are some of the rewards of her hard work. She is grateful for her past, present and what is to come.
“Creative Outlet has served me more than I could have expected. Known for their distinct way of melodic movement and refusal to conform to the leotard and tightly knitted buns of so many other companies, Creative Outlet has created its own style. It has opened my life pallet to the arts; igniting a desire in me to perform on a stage with lights as bright as the Giants stadium, costumes as glamorous as the stars on TV and music as moving as it is in movies….”
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994
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Ryan H. Rankine
I have been so blessed through my life and career. Ryan has a loving mother that has always pushed him to be the best person he could. Under the mentoring of Timothy Bishop and Jamel Gaines (Dad) he graduated from LaGuardia High School of Art, Music and the Performing Arts. Training at Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School, San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, The Julliard School, and SUNY Purchase College. Ryan is very thankful and excited for what the future holds and giving back to the new up and coming artists. “The Skyz The Limit and With God Nothing is Out of Reach”
A quote comes to mind when I think of Creative Outlet, “Dance is for the people, from the people and it should be given back” Alvin Ailey. The audience doesn’t have to be dancers to enjoy the work that is produced and performed by the company. It has a human quality that either makes you want to dance, cry or a little of both. Regardless, you’ll be moved after a performance. CO is home to me, a place that breeds creativity and individuality. CO has become my family. It’s a safe haven full of nurturing, training and mentoring, with endless amount of talent and love that has just started sharing and inspiring the world with its presence and pure honest artistry. Thank you
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994
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Nigel Campbell
Nigel Campbell was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. He began his formal Training at Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn under the mentorship of Jamel Gaines. Nigel is a 2004 graduate of LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts and a 2008 graduate of The Juilliard School, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes. While at Juilliard, Nigel danced works by Jiri Kyllian, Ohad Naharin, Elliot Feld, Doug Varone, and Robert Battle among others. He is an ACT-SO gold medalist as well as a 2004 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He is also featured in the 2004 PBS special “American Talent.” Nigel has performed as a soloist with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and is currently a member of the Donlon Dance Company/ Ballett des Saarlandisches Staatstheater in Saarbruecken, Germany. All things are possible, Peace, Love, and Every Happiness!
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994
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Dolores Lagdameo
Dolores graduated from Ohio State University with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance. In 1997, Dolores moved to New York City to perform in Bridget Moore’s evening length project, Unspoken Changes. In 2002, Dolores began working with Nathan Trice, performing in works such as Mothers in a number of New York venues including Aaron Davis Hall and Long Island University. Since then, Dolores has worked with Bridget in a number of projects including This Woman’s Work in 2003 and in 2005.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2006
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Victor Reddick
Victor is 25 years old and began studying dance at Creative Outlet at 12 years old. He moved up to the junior company at sixteen, and is how a member of the professional company. He has also studied at The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Boston Ballet. As a student at La Guardia Performing Arts High School in New York City, in his senior year, Reddick won the National Foundation for Advancement of The Arts Recognition Award in 2003. In the summer of 2006, Victor had the good fortune of working with choreographer George Faison in, “Armistead”, performed at the Spoleto Dance Festival in Italy. Reddick also danced dance in “Dance African/2006″. Other dancers and choreographers of note that he has studied with are, are Desmond Richardson, and Nathan Trice, Shirley Black Brown, Igal Peri and Swan Pouiffer. Victor’s goal is to perform with a world renowned dance company and explore working in Broadway Theater and film.
Creative Outlet Original. Joined Creative Outlet in 1995
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Leyland Simmons
Leyland Simmons was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He began his formal dance training with Barbara Devereaux and the Royal Academy School of Dance in Anchorage, Alaska at age seven. He later studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Miami City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, The Ailey School, and Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, Canada. Leyland is a Graduate of the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City and a former member of Ailey 2 and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Mr. Simmons has also performed with the New York City Ballet, Peridance Ensemble, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Nathan Trice’s/Rituals, George Faison, Ballet X, and at the Moscow and Miami International Ballet Festivals. Leyland is a sought after teacher and has also appeared in numerous film, television, and print projects such as the History Channel’s Honor Deferred, Augustine Productions “The Audition”, The Conan O’Brien Show, VH1’s “The Upper Crest”, ABC’s “Cashmere Mafia”, YRB magazine, Getty Corbis Images, Al Sharpton’s “Sharp Talk”, Law and Order, Starbucks Red Campaign, Puma, and the Judge David Young and Maria Lopez Shows. Mr. Simmons is also a graduate of the Workshop in Business Opportunities and is proud to be the Co-Artistic Director of Ballet Noir with long time friend Corey Baker. Thank You Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Thank You God for being the head of my life continue to order my steps!!!!
For me Creative Outlet is a place where young people are taught to dream and whose lives are impacted and transformed in a positive direction. It is also a place where one is able to explore their many gifts and talents through the arts in a healthy, nurturing, and family like environment.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2002
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Daniel Soto
Born in Brooklyn NY and from a large family, Danny began studying at Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn in 1995 under the guidance of Jamel Gaines and Shirley Black Brown Coward. At the age of sixteen, Soto was introduced to the professional world of dance, becoming a company member of Creative Outlet Dance Theater and has since blossomed to become a respected artist and communal developer. After attending Purchase College Dance Conservatory, he went on to perform in various international projects, such as the Spoleto Festival in Italy, Essence Awards, Acapulco Film Festival and with various dance companies. He was an original cast member of FELA! Off-Broadway and will star in the show as it hits Broadway this Fall. He is also the Founder and CEO of Lost Productions and Choreographer for African superstars, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew.
Mostly giving thanks to the creator, Danny feels honored to share the language of art with others and feels blessed with the guidance of great artistic pioneers (Shirley Black Brown Coward, Jamel Gaines, Lakai Worreal, George Faison) that have molded his career today.
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994
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Calvin Booker
Calvin Booker began dancing at the age of 4. Prior to Creative Outlet, he studied dance at Bonni’s Dance Showcase, and then Restoration Dance Theater in Bed-Stuy, where he was trained in Modern, African, Tap, and Capoeira. This was where “The Young Hoofers”, a tap dance group was formed. With this group, he won twice at “Showtime at the Apollo”, landed a national commercial for “Chili’s Bar and Grill”, and was featured as No. 8 on Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”. He was fortunate to receive direct firsthand information from tap masters such as Chuck Green, “Sandman’ Simms, Buster Brown, and Peg Leg Bates, very instrumental to where he is now stylistically. He later met Jamel Gaines while working on “Harlem Nutcracker”, directed by Donald Byrd. After training at Creative Outlet and becoming an original “Young Artist” member, he went on to do various projects such as ‘JUBILATION!”, with Kevin Iega Jeff, Disney’s “Out of the Box”, among others. He later graduated from LaGuardia High School, and went on the dance conservatory @ SUNY Purchase. Also a DJ, Calvin has played in lounges and various events throughout the city. More recently, Calvin was a featured tap soloist in the Off-Broadway production of ‘FELA’, directed by Bill T. Jones. Cultivating his love for music, he now uses his tap dancing as a lead instrument among some of the planets greatest musicians (Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Wunmi, Bilal, Robert Glasper, Roy Hargove, etc) and hopes to further collaborate with musicians, so the musicianship in tap is recognized as well as the dance, keeping it alive and solidifying it as a part of American culture.
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994
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Chanel DaSilva
Chanel DaSilva, native of Brooklyn, NY, has been dancing since the age of three. Her primary and most influential training came from the Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn under the mentorship of Jamel Gaines. At the age of 14, Chanel was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for Music, Art, & the Performing Arts. In her final years of high school training, she received a Level I Arts Award from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and was also named a 2004 Presidential Scholar of the Arts. Chanel was also featured in the 2004 PBS Special “American Talent”. Soon after, she was accepted into The Juilliard School, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes. In May 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and was the recipient of the prestigious Martha Hill Award. Chanel is now a member of Trey McIntyre Project, a new international touring dance company based in Boise, Idaho.
Throughout her training and her career, Jamel has remained a constant support and an outstanding mentor. Jamel Gaines and Creative Outlet have instilled artistic, professional, and personal qualities in Chanel that cannot be replaced. She is happy that the legacy is continuing. Happy 15th Anniversary to Creative Outlet!
Creative Outlet Original. Joined in 1994.
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Alia K. C. Zachery
Alia K.C. Zachery, a native of Chattanooga, TN, received her early training at Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts and Chattanooga Ballet. She graduated from the Alvin Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program in 2004, and subsequently joined Ailey II. Other concert credits include Genesis Dance Company, Nathan Trice/RITUALS, Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn, and CeDeCe in Alcobaça, Portugal. Alia’s film and commercial credits include Laurie Simon’s Music of Regret - Act III (Pocket Watch); Radio City Christmas Spectacular 75th Anniversary DVD (ensemble); and Cordoniu Navidad 2007 in Barcelona, Spain; 2006/2007 AIDA National Tour (assistant to choreographer/featured dancer); and most recently Disney’s The Lion King National Tour. Alia is co-director of Renegade Performance Group and has produced choreography for contestants of the Miss Tennessee and Miss Georgia pageants (Miss America Organization), as well as Chattanooga Ballet and Renegade Performance Group.
Through Creative Outlet, Alia has performed and taught internationally at the Spoleto Festival in Italy and at Weekend Arts College in London and the National Black Arts Festival.
Joined Creative Outlet in 2006