Aduke Mickey Davidson has been at the forefront of live music and dance performance innovation and education for over 60 years. She joined Dianne McIntyre’s “Sounds in Motion” company in 1975 and was a member for eight years, establishing the children’s program at the studio located on 125th St and Lenox Ave. The children’s class was patterned after the philosophy of the Sounds in Motions’ dance company, modern dance to the music of Jazz with a strong emphasis on improvisation. Other performing experiences include affiliations with Norma Miller’s Lindy Hoppers and partnering with Frankie Manning and Charles “Cookie” Cook, the Savoy Swingers, Roots of Brazil, Okra Dance, Choreo-Mutations and collaborations with many renowned musicians including: Ahmed Abdullah, Newman T Baker, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Frank Owens, Scoby Stroman and the Makanda Project.

Mickey was primary choreographer and director for Mickey D. & Friends, a group of dancers and musicians that explored and performed the interlocking relationship between music and dance. From 1993-2013 Ms. Davidson took over the leadership for “Okra Dance Co.”. This company presented multi-cultural dance programs in the Tri-State area. Under the name “Savoy Swingers”, the group maintained Ms Miller’s choreography, as well as performing other diverse jazz styles such as Tap and Modern Jazz.

Ms Davidson was a Visiting Lecturer for seventeen years at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.  From 2007- 2019, Mickey taught Swing dance at the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp in New Orleans in addition to Jazz residencies and performances in the schools for the NY Committee for Young Audiences, Arts Connections, International Art of Jazz, Friends of the Arts, and Great Neck Arts Center.

Ms. Davidson has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with poet/playwright Ms. Ntozake Shange for over twenty-six years. Other ongoing partnerships include projects with:  Oddfellows Playhouse, Hartford Theatre Works, and New Federal Theatre, NYC.

Dave Maxx is a nationally renowned Master Dance Instructor and the founder of DMX Dance Company, based in Chicago, Illinois. With three decades of experience in the Chicago Steppin’ industry, Dave has become a highly sought-after performer, instructor, and speaker. His journey into the world of Chicago Steppin’ began in the early 1990s when he fell in love with the dance at Chicago’s legendary 50 Yard Line night club. Inspired by the mastery of the Steppers on the dance floor, Dave sought guidance from legendary musician & dancer Calvin Barnes, who became his instructor and mentor..

Over the years, Dave’s passion for Chicago Steppin’ has led him to create DMX Dance Company, a platform dedicated to teaching, promoting, and embracing the culture and tradition of authentic Black social dance forms. As a dance instructor, Dave has conducted workshops and classes at renowned venues across the country, including Lincoln Center, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Center in New York, as well at Debbie Allen Studios in Los Angeles. His charismatic teaching style and expertise have made him a sought-after instructor, attracting students from all backgrounds.

Dave’s contributions to the Chicago Steppin’ community extend beyond teaching. In addition to being a multi-time national champion, he has appeared in music videos, including R. Kelly’s “Step in the Name of Love” and Gerald Levert’s “Baby You Are.” Dave has also shared his knowledge and insights as a guest lecturer at institutions like the University of Chicago and Chicago State University, shedding light on the history and cultural significance of Steppin’. With his dedication to preserving and promoting Black social dance forms, Dave Maxx continues to inspire and educate dancers while leaving an indelible mark on the Chicago, and national dance scenes.

Amaniyea (Pamela) Payne for over fifty years have built an impressive career and is a viable artistic force in the field of dance and is recognized for her many talents in the global dance communities as dancer, singer, consultant, researcher, director, mentor, producer, choreographer, arts educator, costume designer, healer and humanitarian.

 Known to many in the African Dance genre as a “National Treasure”, Amaniyea have been the recipient of many awards, which speaks to her career achievements. As an artist extraordinaire, her style of dance evolves from natural rhythmic movements based and influenced by dances and cultures of the African Diasporas.

 She has studied/trained, performed and toured globally with prominent companies and well-known music and dance legends, such as Stevie Wonder, Cab Calloway, Ben Harper, Bunny Wailers, Lindy-hop innovators Norma Miller, Frankie Manning, Momma Lou Parks, Mickey Davidson and Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago to name a few. 

In her long-life learning pursuits Ms. Payne have collaborated with artists and organizations in the field of education, mentorship, cultural and performing arts throughout the Diasporas, focusing on finding new ways to translate dance for the stage while also preserving and respecting traditional parameters for performance. 

Having a deep sense of responsibility to honor the legacy of great expressions of dance, Amaniyea respectfully continues to provide uplifting cultural initiatives to various communities including youth, teens and adults that aids in the development of the future generations of dancers/artists who will carry the aesthetic and spiritual base of African Centered Movements as it relates to World Dance.

amaniyeapayne@gmail.com

Rachel Pitner has been dancing all of her life.  From dancing down the aisles at the grocery store to performing on stage and everywhere in between.  Rachel’s life is full of movement and exploring connections.  She has performed around the country as a cast member of SW!NG OUT and consulting and performing in various film and music video projects.  Rachel has a degree in dance with a focus in Graham-style modern from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.  Rachel loves dancing, and she loves nurturing her dance community.  You can often find her organizing or supporting fellow organizers throughout the Southeast and at various events, but especially at Hot Jam and Atlanta Varsity Showdown (the hometown events that she runs).  Rachel loves the personal growth and the exchange of ideas that occurs with partner dancing and the freedom and energy of Lindy Hop and the flow of solo dancing.  You’ll often see her dancing to the music in her head.

photo by Alex Gregorie