Artist Bios
A'KEITHA CAREY, is a Bahamian artist, educator and scholar. She developed the dance technique CaribFunk, a fusion of Afro‐Caribbean, ballet, modern, and fitness principles and rooted in Africanist and Euro-American aesthetics and expressions. She received her B.A. in Dance from Florida International University and an M.F.A. in Dance from Florida State University. She also holds a Certificate in Women's Studies from Texas Woman’s University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in African and African Diaspora Studies at Florida International University. She researches Caribbean spaces, locating movements that are indigenous, contemporary, and fusion based and investigates how Caribbean cultural performance (Bahamian Junkanoo, Trinidadian Carnival, and Jamaican Dancehall) can be viewed as praxis. A’Keitha has written about her dance technique CaribFunk in multiple peer reviewed journals and is featured in several book chapters. Her most recent book publications are: Escape Routes and Roots to Freedom: Rewriting the Narrative of The Vulgar Body; CaribFunk Technique: A New Feminist/Womanist Futuristic Technology in Black Dance Studies in Higher Education in the United States; and Roots and Culture: Exploring Caribbean Music and Dance in the Classroom. She has taught in K-12 serving as the Department Chair of the Enrichment Program and the Performing Arts Teacher at Indian Ridge Middle School in Davie, Florida (2017-2018) and in Higher Education, serving as dance faculty for several universities across the country. She was previously the Vice President of Operations at Cultural Connections by Design, a Diversity Education Consulting Company. A’Keitha is currently an Adjunct Professor at Broward College and Nova Southeastern University. She is a member of Olujimi Dance Theatre in Miami, Florida and teaches Zumba and Hip Hop at several 24 Hour Fitness gyms in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
MELISSA COBBLAH GUTIERREZ, born in Cuba and raised in Ghana and Cape Verde moved to the United States at age 14. She began her formal dance training at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, where she also started working as a company member with Olujimi Dance Collective in 2016. After graduating with her Associate of Arts from MDC, she continued her dance studies at Florida State University from where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She has worked and studied under the direction of many recognized artists such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Nia Love, Sherone Price, A'Keitha Carey, Jorge Luis Morejon, Kehinde Ishangi, Millicent Johnnie, Tiffany Rhynard, Charles Anderson, La Toya Davis-Craig and Anjali Austin. She attended as a performing artist The Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows Program at Jacob's Pillow in 2019. Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez danced professionally in NYC with Urban Bush Woman for two seasons from 2019-2021. She also toured internationally as an instructor and performer for the MSC Preziosa 2019 Cruise through the Kieron Sargeant Dance and Performing Arts Agency. Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez was selected as a Knight New Work 2020 Winner through the Knight Foundation. She was a Leaps and Bounds 2021 Guest Artist in Residence at Miami Dade College Kendall Dance and was also selected as a 2022 Artist in Residence at Deering Estate. Currently, she is the Engagement Coordinator for Live Arts Miami, a Guest Instructor at New World School of the Arts, an instructor for Arts for Learning and a company member of Olujimi Dance Collective while working as an independent choreographer.
TIFFANY MERRITT-BROWN, a native of Miami, Florida, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Described by Isthmus Magazine as “a coolly elegant performer and choreographer that reveals keen intelligence and maturity” Tiffany has worked with choreographers such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Charles O. Anderson, T-Lang, Nia Love and Heidi Latsky. Tiffany has presented her work at Miami Dade College, the American College Dance Association, Detroit Dance City Festival, Florida Dance Association, and internationally at the World Dance Alliance-Americas Conference in Puebla, Mexico and Tanara Public School in Chepo, Panama. Her choreography has been praised for its “clear vision, smart craftsmanship [and] fierce performance…” Currently, Tiffany is an educator for Miami Dade County Public Schools and the Director of Robert Morgan Senior High School’s Dance Magnet Performing Arts Program. Tiffany has been a part of the Olujimi Dance Collective since 2016.
SHANNA WOODS, a native of Delray Beach, Florida, trained at several dance companies prior to becoming a thespian and graduating from Overton High School in Memphis, TN in 2003. Woods joined Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2 with for four seasons after graduating high school. Woods later moved to Denver, CO where she was a company member with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for four seasons. While with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Woods performed solo and ensemble works. Woods has been a guest artist for Cindy Brandle Dance Theatre in Boulder, CO, Ife-Ile with Neri Torres, and Brazzdance in Miami, FL with Augusto Soledade. As a choreographer, Woods collaborated with screenwriter, editor, and director Chassidy Jade on a short film, Brown Ballerina. Woods is currently engulfed in the discovery of her authentic choreographic voice. Using dance as a healing ritual, Shanna has started workshops, Art to Acceptance and Electric F.L.Y. Ladies. Both workshops are geared toward women and young ladies who desire to hold fast to their self-worth, embrace to self-love, and take care of themselves in an artistic and creative fashion. Woods is now in her fourth season as a performing artist with Olujimi Dance Collective.
Alina Spears from Miami Florida. Spears is a Licensed Practical Nurse and now attends Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, majoring in Dance. Alina Spears has started her professional career as a dancer and choreographer, working with choreographers such as Dyane Harvey (as a soloist in Roots with Eleo Pomare choreography), Brittany Williams (Swamp Body Project) and organizations such as the Miami Light Project (Here and Now), also presenting work with Jubilation Dance Ensemble and National Water Dance at South Dade Cultural Center. While attending Miami Dade College dance program, Spears had the pleasure of training with renowned artists such as Makeda Thomas, Dr. Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris (Artistic Director of Renni Harris University and Rennie Harris Awe-Inspiring Works) and Nicole Clark Springer (Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted), and Melissa Cobblah-Gutierrez. This is Miss Spears first season with Olujimi Dance Collective. Spears is continuing to strive and cultivate young talent as well as her own.
Apon Nichols is native of Miami, Fl. He studied Entertainment Technology at MDC North Campus from 1991-93. Joined the IATSE Local 500 in 1993 as an apprentice. He was sworn in December 1996 as a journeyman member. By 1998, he began to design lighting for Inner City Children Dance Co and provided workshops for inner city youths on stage productions. Apon decided he needed more training on dance lighting, so he pursued an internship at Jacob’s Pillow for stage productions in 1999. In 2004, he designed the first black box theatre in Liberty City inside Charles Hadley Park (Arthur E. Teele Black Box Theatre.) Apon Nichols launched his own lighting company Apon Concept Productions Inc. in 2014. From there, his career in lighting designs became a full time position. He started working for local theaters companies such as The M’ Ensemble Theatre, Live In Color, Young Contemporary Dance Theatre, Divas Arts Dance Co., Olujimi Dance Theatre, Momentum Dance Co., Brazz Dance Co., FAMU Strikers and Mahogany Dance Theatre, and The Legend Of The Pink Elephant. He also worked with public and private schools for the drama and dance dept. such as: Miami Northwestern PAVAC, Miami Country Day School, Miami Carol City High, Miami Sunset High, MDC Kendall, and Florida Memorial University just to name a few. Apon also provided stage management for the Miramar Latin Festival and Overtown Music & Arts Festival. Feb.2021 ACP Inc. produced, designed, and managed the Cloud 9 Valentine's Festival. 2006-2021 Apon Nichols was the Assistant Electrician for the Miami City Ballet. He is currently touring with the National Broadway Hamilton as an Advance Assistant Electrician.
David Velazco is a drummer, percussionist, and producer from Miami, Fl. Born in Cuba and migrating to the United States at the age of 10. He began his musical journey playing drums in church and Latin percussion at school at the age of 16. He studied music at Miami Dade College where he furthered his interest in West African Dance accompaniment. He has worked as a collaborator and Music Director for choreographers, performers, and other musicians. This interdisciplinary practice led him to go to the California Institute of the Arts from the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2021.He is currently in Miami kicking off his career as a producer and drummer having done shows with artists like Ovi in Mexico and producing work for dancers like “Dame La Receta”, along with Chachi Perez and Jennifer Rodriguez, and now T.W.E.R.K. with Michelle Grant-Murray’s company, Olujimi Dance Collective.
MELISSA COBBLAH GUTIERREZ, born in Cuba and raised in Ghana and Cape Verde moved to the United States at age 14. She began her formal dance training at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, where she also started working as a company member with Olujimi Dance Collective in 2016. After graduating with her Associate of Arts from MDC, she continued her dance studies at Florida State University from where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She has worked and studied under the direction of many recognized artists such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Nia Love, Sherone Price, A'Keitha Carey, Jorge Luis Morejon, Kehinde Ishangi, Millicent Johnnie, Tiffany Rhynard, Charles Anderson, La Toya Davis-Craig and Anjali Austin. She attended as a performing artist The Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows Program at Jacob's Pillow in 2019. Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez danced professionally in NYC with Urban Bush Woman for two seasons from 2019-2021. She also toured internationally as an instructor and performer for the MSC Preziosa 2019 Cruise through the Kieron Sargeant Dance and Performing Arts Agency. Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez was selected as a Knight New Work 2020 Winner through the Knight Foundation. She was a Leaps and Bounds 2021 Guest Artist in Residence at Miami Dade College Kendall Dance and was also selected as a 2022 Artist in Residence at Deering Estate. Currently, she is the Engagement Coordinator for Live Arts Miami, a Guest Instructor at New World School of the Arts, an instructor for Arts for Learning and a company member of Olujimi Dance Collective while working as an independent choreographer.
TIFFANY MERRITT-BROWN, a native of Miami, Florida, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Described by Isthmus Magazine as “a coolly elegant performer and choreographer that reveals keen intelligence and maturity” Tiffany has worked with choreographers such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Charles O. Anderson, T-Lang, Nia Love and Heidi Latsky. Tiffany has presented her work at Miami Dade College, the American College Dance Association, Detroit Dance City Festival, Florida Dance Association, and internationally at the World Dance Alliance-Americas Conference in Puebla, Mexico and Tanara Public School in Chepo, Panama. Her choreography has been praised for its “clear vision, smart craftsmanship [and] fierce performance…” Currently, Tiffany is an educator for Miami Dade County Public Schools and the Director of Robert Morgan Senior High School’s Dance Magnet Performing Arts Program. Tiffany has been a part of the Olujimi Dance Collective since 2016.
SHANNA WOODS, a native of Delray Beach, Florida, trained at several dance companies prior to becoming a thespian and graduating from Overton High School in Memphis, TN in 2003. Woods joined Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2 with for four seasons after graduating high school. Woods later moved to Denver, CO where she was a company member with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for four seasons. While with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Woods performed solo and ensemble works. Woods has been a guest artist for Cindy Brandle Dance Theatre in Boulder, CO, Ife-Ile with Neri Torres, and Brazzdance in Miami, FL with Augusto Soledade. As a choreographer, Woods collaborated with screenwriter, editor, and director Chassidy Jade on a short film, Brown Ballerina. Woods is currently engulfed in the discovery of her authentic choreographic voice. Using dance as a healing ritual, Shanna has started workshops, Art to Acceptance and Electric F.L.Y. Ladies. Both workshops are geared toward women and young ladies who desire to hold fast to their self-worth, embrace to self-love, and take care of themselves in an artistic and creative fashion. Woods is now in her fourth season as a performing artist with Olujimi Dance Collective.
Alina Spears from Miami Florida. Spears is a Licensed Practical Nurse and now attends Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, majoring in Dance. Alina Spears has started her professional career as a dancer and choreographer, working with choreographers such as Dyane Harvey (as a soloist in Roots with Eleo Pomare choreography), Brittany Williams (Swamp Body Project) and organizations such as the Miami Light Project (Here and Now), also presenting work with Jubilation Dance Ensemble and National Water Dance at South Dade Cultural Center. While attending Miami Dade College dance program, Spears had the pleasure of training with renowned artists such as Makeda Thomas, Dr. Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris (Artistic Director of Renni Harris University and Rennie Harris Awe-Inspiring Works) and Nicole Clark Springer (Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted), and Melissa Cobblah-Gutierrez. This is Miss Spears first season with Olujimi Dance Collective. Spears is continuing to strive and cultivate young talent as well as her own.
Apon Nichols is native of Miami, Fl. He studied Entertainment Technology at MDC North Campus from 1991-93. Joined the IATSE Local 500 in 1993 as an apprentice. He was sworn in December 1996 as a journeyman member. By 1998, he began to design lighting for Inner City Children Dance Co and provided workshops for inner city youths on stage productions. Apon decided he needed more training on dance lighting, so he pursued an internship at Jacob’s Pillow for stage productions in 1999. In 2004, he designed the first black box theatre in Liberty City inside Charles Hadley Park (Arthur E. Teele Black Box Theatre.) Apon Nichols launched his own lighting company Apon Concept Productions Inc. in 2014. From there, his career in lighting designs became a full time position. He started working for local theaters companies such as The M’ Ensemble Theatre, Live In Color, Young Contemporary Dance Theatre, Divas Arts Dance Co., Olujimi Dance Theatre, Momentum Dance Co., Brazz Dance Co., FAMU Strikers and Mahogany Dance Theatre, and The Legend Of The Pink Elephant. He also worked with public and private schools for the drama and dance dept. such as: Miami Northwestern PAVAC, Miami Country Day School, Miami Carol City High, Miami Sunset High, MDC Kendall, and Florida Memorial University just to name a few. Apon also provided stage management for the Miramar Latin Festival and Overtown Music & Arts Festival. Feb.2021 ACP Inc. produced, designed, and managed the Cloud 9 Valentine's Festival. 2006-2021 Apon Nichols was the Assistant Electrician for the Miami City Ballet. He is currently touring with the National Broadway Hamilton as an Advance Assistant Electrician.
David Velazco is a drummer, percussionist, and producer from Miami, Fl. Born in Cuba and migrating to the United States at the age of 10. He began his musical journey playing drums in church and Latin percussion at school at the age of 16. He studied music at Miami Dade College where he furthered his interest in West African Dance accompaniment. He has worked as a collaborator and Music Director for choreographers, performers, and other musicians. This interdisciplinary practice led him to go to the California Institute of the Arts from the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2021.He is currently in Miami kicking off his career as a producer and drummer having done shows with artists like Ovi in Mexico and producing work for dancers like “Dame La Receta”, along with Chachi Perez and Jennifer Rodriguez, and now T.W.E.R.K. with Michelle Grant-Murray’s company, Olujimi Dance Collective.
