Team

A native of Brooklyn NY, Hassan began his dance training at LaGuardia High School of Music and the Performing Arts after two years of training he was accepted into the School of American Ballet (S.A.B) where he trained for two years including summers. While at S.A.B, he worked backstage with the New York City Ballet for their productions of the Nutcracker. Upon graduation, Hassan was accepted to the Juilliard School where he trained under the late Benjamin Harkarvey and Maria Grandy. Hassan has danced professionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and Donald Byrd/The Group here in NYC. In 2001, he began teaching for the NYC Dept. of Education as a sub-contractor at the Bronx Dance Academy. In 2007, he was a substitute at his Alma Matter La Guardia H.S. Hassan is on staff with the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) teaching Ballet in Kansas City for seven weeks in the Summer months, and in the Fall months, he will be joining the faculty at the Alvin Ailey School in NYC. Hassan is also the current Ballet Master for The Company of Dance Arts (CODA) in Red Bank NJ. Hassan is proud and blessed to be on staff at Purelements where he is able to give back to the very community that gave him his start.

A native of Burlington, NC, Carmen started training in ballet and modern dance at the age of six. At her home studio, Walkerdance Ballet Theatre, she has performed various roles such as Clara, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, under the direction of John Walker. At the age of 14 she then went on to study at the North Carolina School of the Arts from which she graduated in May 2006. While there, she studied with artists such as Melissa Hayden, Warren Conover, Fanchon Cordell, Anna-Marie Holmes, Kee-Juan Han, Nina Danilova, Clara Cravey, and many others. At NCSA, she performed in Don Quixote, Raymonda, La Sonnambula, The Nutcracker, and was one of the cast members for the Westside Story Workshop. Ms. Borders was given a scholarship to the Dance Theatre of Harlem “Master’s and Mentors” Summer Program from whence she was invited to join Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble in Fall of 2007.

Adrienne is an accomplished performing artist who is thrilled to be working with the children of COAR!. Recently, she traveled to San Salvador with Purelements where she performed with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador. Her performance experience includes Balance Dance Theatre, the national tour of White Christmas, regional performances with 42nd Street, The Music Man, Singin' In the Rain, Gigi, Mame and Showboat. Adrienne received training from the Sherry Gold Dance Studio, Bard College and Steps on Broadway. Rappelling down a 40-foot rope as Sarah Conner in the Terminator II 3-D Show at Universal Studios is one of her favorite past times! www.adriennejeanfisher.com

Tricia was born in Trinidad, W.I. and raised in Brooklyn N.Y. She received her dance training from the Hines Dancing School; Marie Brooks Dance Theatre, where she developed her skill in modern, Caribbean and African Dance; the Harlem Dance Theatre; and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, where she trained with Youseff Koumbassa, Master of West African Dance. She has performed throughout North America and Europe. As a Teaching Artist, she has taught dance to children of all ages at Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn and is currently a Teaching Artist for Purelements: An Evolution in Dance. Tricia takes her enthusiasm and drive from the dance world into work at a preschool teacher transforming her dance skills to enhance children's physical development and self awareness. Her goal is to continually be a force of enlightenment to those she comes into contact with.

Coralie Hook is a social worker, teacher, director of education and beautician. Currently, she serves as the dedicated and enthusiastic administrator for Purelements' COAR program. Coralie's heart has been dedicated to the world of dance for 16 years and has worked with students, teachers and parents since 1995. Coralie has an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Early Childhood Education, and is presently working towards a Masters in Education. Coralie is a resourceful education professional with proven ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe learning environment and ensure a school culture that encourages continuous improvements for teachers and students. Coralie is proud to make Purelements her home and strives to work with the community to promote art that creates openness, tolerance and change.

Dina, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, began her dance training at the age of five. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music and the Performing Arts while awarded full scholarships to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the Martha Graham School. Dina was introduced to West African dance training in 1989 when she joined Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company and toured internationally as a principal dancer until 2001. Her acting credits include: The Wiz, For Colored Girls..., St. Louis Woman, and Measure for Measure. She has graced the cover of Heart and Soul magazine, and Instyle magazine's featured article entitled Dina Wright: A Force of Nature. Dina's television credits include PBS' "Free to Dance", VH1's "Divas Live" with Aretha Franklin and as co-choreographer of VH1's "Hip Hop Honors" tribute to Afrika Bambattaa. Along with being a founding member of Purelements, Dina is also performs with Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater.

Shawne' Lee, born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, resided in Los Angeles for several years where she studied Dunham Technique. After relocating to New York, she was introduced to West African dance in 1992 under the tutelage of Youssouf Koumbassa, M'Bemba Bangoura, Marie Bass, and Mouminatou Camara. She became a member of D'Jole African in 1997. In 1999, under the direction of Lamine Thiame, she performed with Bissou Drum and Dance Company, and was a guest performer for Papa Ladji Camara. Shawne's passion for dance inspired her to use dance to teach youth pride, cultural awareness, and inspired her to become co-founder of the Maat Organic Summer Camp in 2003, where children learn dance, drumming, drama, martial arts, arts & crafts, and cultural enrichment. She is currently a member Abdel Salaam's critically acclaimed Forces of Nature Dance Ensemble, and Mouminatou Camera's Seewe' Dance Company.
Her proudest achievement to date is being mother to Nyemba, Zephaniah, and Alyasa.

Renée Robinson, born in London, England, brings over 20 years of experience to the field of dance, having worked as an artist, educator and arts manager. She has performed with Portraits of Color Dance Company and various companies, having also worked in both television and in theatre. She has taught in England, Japan and throughout the United States. Renée was Director of Operations for North Carolina Dance Theatre; General Manager for Winifred R. Harris' Between Lines; Assistant Company Manager for the New York Harlem Production Company's touring company of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess; Production Stage Manager for the Manhattan Repertory Theatre; Executive Director for ZviDance; and a Company Manager for Vincent Mantsoe. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Diploma of Dance from the University of Surrey, Surrey, England and a Master's of Arts in Dance and Related Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Robinson currently lives in Brooklyn where she continues to teach dance.

Christina is a graduate of NYU: Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Africana studies. She has performed in the regional production of Disney's AIDA, the national/ Japan tour of RENT, and Classical Theatre of Harlem's KING LEAR. Recently, Christina explored a workshop of a new punk rock musical, directed by Michael Mayer of Broadway's Spring Awakening, and opened for Patti LaBelle's concert as a solo artist.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Eddie received his formal dance training from the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. Mr. Stockton attended classes and workshops at the Martha Graham School, Alvin Ailey, 92nd St. Y, Bernice Johnson’s and Jubilation.

At age 15, Mr. Stockton, as a student of the Martha Graham School, performed in Lincoln Center along with the Martha Graham Company, School of American Ballet, and members of American Ballet Theater. During his freshman year, Eddie began teaching dance, and by his junior year, joining his first dance company, New Jersey Center Dance Collective.

Mr. Stockton has performed and taught all over the world working with such artists and companies as George Faison, Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson, Philadanco, Nathan Trice’ ” Rituals”, Milton Myers, Elisa Montel, Purelements, Creative Outlet, Ron Brown, Fred Benjamin, and Nai-ni Chen Dance Company and more.Mr. Stockton is in his 7th year as a Jazz Instructor at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. Mr. Stockton is also an instructor for Purelements and Creative Outlet in Brooklyn, and continues to teach Arts & Education in New York City public schools.

Edwian is a journalism major at Long Island University and an accomplished percussionist. Born in Brooklyn, Edwian has been a percussionist since he was eight-years-old. He is a member of the Indoda Entsha Percussion Ensemble, a Brooklyn-based West-African percussion ensemble, and has traveled throughout and outside of the United States playing music with a variety of artists. He is 23 years-old.

Keisha Washington is a Teaching Artist Assistant with Purelements: An Evolution in Dance. Born and raised in New York City, she was introduced to the world of dance as a Teaching Assistant at Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. At Purelements, Keisha shares her love and enthusiasm for the arts by assisting children in movement and self-awareness. She is also a Teachers Aid at a Day Care Center. Keisha's main goal is to bring love and laughter to whom ever she comes into contact and show children how to apply discipline, respect, honor and loyalty in their everyday lives. She thanks God for the arts because she is able to teach, learn and grow with a new extended dance family.