At the young age of nine years old Sophia began her dance career at the Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts in Boston, MA under the tutelage of noted instructor Ms. Andrea Herbert Major where she was instructed in dance. In addition, she received theatre training from Youth Boston. Thereafter, she became a part of Dreamers Inc. where she was a member of Boston’s hottest female vocalist group SoChey. Under the management of Dreamers Inc. they performed with many accomplished artists such as LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Zhane, Silk, Joe, Melba Moore, Pattie Labelle, Black Street and many more. SoChey also held titles from the Apollo Theater and Sony Music being crowned “New Artist of the Year”.

Some of Sophia’s other achievements include competing at the regional and national level of the NAACP ACT-SO Competition in dance and voice and the lead role in the off-Broadway hit musical “Mama I Want To Sing.” While on tour with “Mama I Want To Sing,” Sophia was discovered by the producer of the nationally, televised show “Star Search.” She competed and won first place in the female vocalist category. Later Sophia went on to study at Newbury College earning a Degree in Business. She went on to study music at Berkeley College of Music where she was able to study with some of the best musicians in the business. Sophia is also known as one of Boston’s top choreographers. She has been recognized for her work with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, New Kids on the Block, The New England Hair Expo, Bentley College fashion shows, and many hair shows for salons in the Boston and New York areas.

Sophia sits on the board of directors for Show Your Motion Inc.; a Caribbean organization that represents New England based talent for the World Olympics for the Performing Arts (WCOPA) and is also the official dance coach for the Caribbean Islands. With so much experience and talent under her belt it’s no surprise that she has made great strides as the founder and director of Stajez Dance Academy and Stajez Entertainment. Sophia’s continuous hard work and dedication to the community have given her recognition by many political figures including Boston’s own Mayor Thomas Menino. You can see Sophia in the up and coming film “Gone Baby Gone,” directed by Ben Affleck.

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As exemplified in both her personal and professional life, Alkia Powell has made a commitment to community planning and organizing. Ms. Powell is actively involved in a number of organizations that are dedicated to making positive impacts on the communities in which they serve. Ms. Powell has been a community researcher and focus group conductor for the Boston Access to Education Project, a research initiative sponsored by the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy University of Massachusetts Boston, a board member of the Boston Dance Alliance, a supporting member of The Coalition of Black Women Inc., Coalition to Recruit & Elect Women (CREW) and Boston Urban Professionals (BUP). Similar to her personal interests, Ms. Powell’s passion for community involvement can be traced throughout her professional experience.

Independently, Ms. Powell has planned events and provided management assistance for a number of notable clients, including: Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Dept, Clear Channel Inc., Visions Inc./W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Afrcentric Productions, Downtimeonline.net, Dimock Community Health Center, WUMB Radio and the Boston Soul Music Festival. Ms. Powell has also assisted with planning and coordinating the first annual 21st Century Black Massachusetts Conference, convened by Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson attracting over 2,000 attendees, the Peace and Reconciliation Commissions: Do They Do Justice to Justice? Conference convened by Padraig O’Malley, John Joseph Moakley Distinguished Professor of Peace and Reconciliation and Governor Deval Patrick’s 2007 transitional team training and workshops held at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Ms. Powell’s numerous achievements have certainly not gone unrecognized. Ms. Powell has received several awards in honor of her accomplishments including a citation recognition award from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts – House of Representatives on behalf of Shirley Owens-Hicks for the concern health care needs of men of African descent though the Health Education and Learning Program for Black Males (HELP); the 10th Annual New England Hair Expo Outstanding 10 Year Contribution Service Award; You Make The Difference Appreciation Award from the Health Communications Project Advisory Board “GOAL” for commitment to the youth in the City of Boston. Most recent recognition awarded from UMass Boston Division of Athletics, Recreation, Special Projects and Programs for “The Boston Soul Festival” on July 21st, 2007 in improving the social and professional atmosphere for minorities in greater Boston presented by Vice Chancellor Charles Titus.

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Venus Hall, Ballet Program Director: Venus Hall trained at Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre under the instruction of Randy Duncan and Harriet Ross. She was a scholarship student at Barat College where she was named to numerous honor societies. Ms. Hall is a former winner of the all-city NAACP ACT-SO Competition in dance. She studied on fellowship at the Ailey School, was a member of Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and a member or the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (1997-2005). She has worked with renowned choreographers such as Judith Jamison, Ron Brown, Rennie Harris, Robert Battele, Jeffrey Holder, Jennifer Muller, Donald McKayle, George Faison, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Dwight Rhoden, Hans Van Manen, David Parsons, Redha, Jowole Zollar, Alonzo King, and Sergio Trujillo.

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Sean Fielder was born in Boston MA. and started dancing when he was 3 years old at the “Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts”. At 10 years old he did his first professional show with “Dance Umbrella” call the “Jazz Tap Hip-Hop Festival” which was performed at the Boston Opera House then later was performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem NY. Since then he has performed with Savion Glover, Derick Grant, Dianne Walker, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slide and many more.

In 1997 he was part of a 4-month audition process for “Bring In Da Noise Bring In Da Funk” which won 4 Tony awards. Later that year he was picked for the national tour company of the show. He performed as an understudy than alternated as the lead role. During the tour he performed for Hillary Clinton, Jay Leno (New Years Eve), NBA Inside Stuff, Missey Elliot’s (The Rain) Fox news and other TV shows alike. He has also gone on tour with Debbie Allen and Dick Cark for the American Heart Association. Since then he has worked with Derick Grant and Aaron Tolson. He just recently performed in the “BeanTown Tap Festival” put on by Julia Bointon. He is the founder of “Boston Tap Company” and is working toward making it a household name in the tap community.

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