Step Afrika! Artists
CONRAD R. KELLY II is a native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, who studied Criminal Justice at Florida A&M University. During his time at FAMU, he performed with the Marching 100 and The Strikers. Conrad later became a soloist for The Rolle Project in Las Vegas and a dance instructor at Studio 305, where he taught hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz. He has won numerous awards as a choreographer and dancer, including being a two-time recipient of the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities’ prestigious Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program. A long-standing member of the Company, Conrad serves as Step Afrika!’s Assistant Artistic Director and recently choreographed The Movement, an epic tribute to Black Lives Matter and the wave of activism in 2020. This is Conrad’s tenth season with the Company.
KWADJO BEDIAKO is a native of Queens, NY, and holds a BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University. A proud Ghanaian educator, he brings the high-energy Azonto dance style to schools and studios across the tri-state area. Kwadjo began his step training with Francis Lewis High School’s nationally ranked Nu Gamma Psi Step Team and later performed with Stony Brook University’s Cadence Step Team. He expanded his Afro training as a member of Stony Brook’s L’Afrique Dance Team before joining the professional Afro dance company Afro-Afrique. He is also a member of P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. Club Steppers and has worked on projects with artists including Davido, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and Koffi Olomide. This is Kwadjo’s second season with the Company.
NYA CHRISTIAN is a native of Cleveland, OH, and holds a BA in Political Science with minors in Sociology and Dance Arts from Howard University. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she has served as Parliamentarian, Step Mistress, and Stroll Captain of the Alpha Chapter. Nya has choreographed for the White House Initiative on HBCUs and Howard University’s 2022 Homecoming Step Show. She is formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, and West African. Nya was a member of ELEVĀTED Dance Crew’s award-winning National 1st Place Championship team at the World of Dance competition, and she has performed on Good Morning America as part of the Black History Month segment “The Story of 9 Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities.” This is Nya’s fourth season with the Company.
JEROD COLEMAN is a native of Columbus, Georgia, and holds a BA in History from the University of South Alabama. While in college, he crossed into the Theta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he served as Step and Stroll Master. Jerod has performed with the entertainment teams of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons, and has competed in Red Bull Dance Your Style and DreamHack ATL. He also taught at Thomas H. Brewer Elementary School in Columbus, GA, where he founded and led an all-boys step team called the B.L.U.E. Steppers. This is Jerod’s fourth season with the Company.
ARIEL DYKES is a native of Gainesville, FL, with an Associate of Arts in Musical Theatre from Santa Fe College and a BFA in Dance from the University of Florida. She is a member of the Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she choreographed step routines for her chapter and UF’s National Panhellenic Council. Ariel has trained in ballet, jazz, West African, and post-modern dance, as well as voice and acting. She has worked with notable artists such as Ailey Dancers Nathaniel Hunt and Samantha Barriento; Tony Award winner Scott Coulter; and Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Smokey Norful. This is Ariel’s fifth season with the Company.
MICAIAH ALEXANDER EMANUEL is a native of Queens, NY, with roots in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and holds a BS in Human Performance with a focus in Sports Medicine from Howard University. A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Almighty Alpha Chapter, he joined in spring 2024 and has served as Chapter President, Step Master, and Stroll Master. He also served as a Step Coach for the Nexus Dance Team at Howard University. Micaiah has traveled across the country performing in Greek step and stroll shows with Alpha Chapter and the Blue Madness Stroll Team, and performed at Kamala Harris’s election night watch party. This is Micaiah’s first season with the Company.
NYLAH JACKSON is a native of Upper Marlboro, MD, and holds a BFA in Dance from Temple University. She trained in ballet, tap, postmodern, improvisation, and West African dance before developing a passion for hip hop and street styles, studying with Kyle and Dinita Clark, Marcus Tucker, and Josh Culbreath. During her time in Philadelphia, Nylah served as President of the Dare 2 Dance student organization and was featured in Tierra Whack’s “27 CLUB” music video. She also choreographed several works, including Can You Feel It?, a full-length show presented at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The production was featured in thINKing DANCE in an article by Lauren Berlin. Nylah also completed a residency with Sidewalk in the Sea. This is Nylah’s first season with the Company.
TERRENCE JOHNSON is a native of Broward County, FL, and holds a BA in General Studies from the University of Central Florida. He has over a decade of stepping experience, serving as a founding member of Hazard Step Team in Orlando, FL, and previously performing with the Adimu Men of Excellence, Inc. Step Team. In 2015, he was inducted into the UCF Chapter of Progressive Black Men, Inc. Terrence began his journey with Step Afrika! in 2023 as a guest artist and now enters his fourth season with the Company as a full-time artist.
JAYDEN KING is a native of Miami, FL, and a graduate of Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy. She has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and hip hop at Artistic Soul, ICTalent Dance Studio, Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts, and New World School of the Arts. Jayden is a former member of Mahogany Dance Theatre under the direction of Shepiro Hardemon, where she served as Assistant Rehearsal Director, Rehearsal Director, and President. She has performed works by Conrad Kelly, Tyrelle Rolle, Christopher Huggins, Clarence Jones, Allyne Gartrell, and others, and has trained with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Dance Theatre of Harlem through summer intensives. This is Jayden’s second season with the Company.
JEMEEMA S. MONTROSE is a native of Brooklyn, NY. She attended ASA College, where she studied Health Information Technology. Jemeema is a proud member of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Incorporated, and has served as the Chair Facilitator of the National Step and Stroll Committee. She has led performances on numerous college campuses across the country, and Jemeema has also served as a step coach for middle and high school students. This is Jemeema’s third season with the Company.
KEONDRE PASCAL is a native of Broward County, FL, and an alumnus of Dillard Center for the Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida A&M University, where he was a member of the world-renowned Marching 100 and Images Modeling Troupe, later serving as Trainer. A proud member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., Keondre held multiple leadership roles and also served as Mr. Alpha Kappa Alpha and the university’s beloved mascot, the FAMU Venom. His dance training includes mentorship from Shepiro Hardemon and Manny “Fresco” Acosta, with performance credits including World of Dance, Kenny Haiti, and EverythingArlon. An educator and mentor, he launched a business to train young dancers, and his work has been recognized in Shoutout Miami and Bold Journey. This is Keondre’s second season with the Company.
KEANU POWELL is a native of Decatur, GA, with a BBA in Management from Howard University. While at Howard, Keanu became an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., serving as 2nd Vice President and Step Master. He is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc., through the Eta Omega Chapter, and served as Drum Major for the 2021-2023 seasons. Keanu was prominently featured on Good Morning America representing Howard University. He has also performed nationally with Howard’s band at major events, including Nike Headquarters and the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic. This is Keanu’s third season with the Company.
ZURI PRESSWOOD is a native of Charlotte, NC, with a BFA in Dance from Johnson C. Smith University. She is well-versed in West African, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance. Zuri is a member of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc., where she served as Treasurer and Auxiliary Captain. Her training includes studying under Niche Faulkner, Mama Kadiatou Conte, and Jaclyn O’Toole, as well as teaching with Allure Dance Company and Charlotte African Drum and Dance Collective. As a performer, Zuri has worked with SHAE Movement African Arts, Life is Art Productions, O’Toole & Dance, and Ife Michelle Dance. Her career highlights include performing at the Dumbo Dance Festival at the Mark Morris Dance Center. This is Zuri’s first season with the Company.
JOSHUA ANTHONY REAVES is a native of Miami, FL, with a BFA in Acting from Florida State University. He was recognized as a Miami Herald Silver Knight in Drama for Miami-Dade County. At FSU, Joshua served as President and Rehearsal Director of Strikers Dance Troupe, helping lead the organization while developing his skills as a performer and leader. His performance credits include appearances with T-Pain and A$AP Rocky. Joshua brings his passion for storytelling, movement, and community to the Company. This is Joshua’s first season with the Company.
JESSE SPARKS III is a native of Seat Pleasant, MD, and an alumnus of Bowie State University, where he studied Communications with a focus in radio and film. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., where he served as Chapter President, Step Master, and Stroll Master. He has participated in and choreographed numerous fraternity performances, contributing to the organization’s success. Jesse’s artistry is rooted in dance, with training under Queen P the Brand and performance experience with the renowned Beat Ya Feet Kings. He has brought his talent and energy to major venues and organizations, including the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, D.C. United, and Washington Commanders. This is Jesse’s first full-time season with the Company.
ERICKA STILL is a native of St. Petersburg, FL, and holds a BS in Health Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy, with a minor in Rehabilitation Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She previously stepped with AKAdemy Exquisite Gems and trained under Paulette W. Johnson at SADA and Shepiro Hardemon as a member and Co-Assistant Artistic Director of Mahogany Dance Theatre. This is Ericka’s fifth season with the Company.
MICHAELA TAYLOR is a native of Miami, FL, with a BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts. She is a proud member of the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she served as Step and Stroll Master and Treasurer. Michaela trained at Diva Arts Dance Studio under the direction of Shannon Haynes in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and West African dance. During her time at UArts, she danced with Eleone Dance Theatre and was a member of the Royals Band Dance Line, serving as Head Coach and Manager. She has performed works by Ulysses Dove, Merce Cunningham, E. Leon Evans, Courtney Henry, Mark Caserta, and Kyle and Dinita Clark, among others. This is Michaela’s first season with the Company.
JOSEPH VASQUEZ hails from Guttenberg, NJ, and has a BA in Exercise Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. In college, Joseph danced with the Rutgers Bachata Performance Team, where he choreographed and led the team for four years. He is a member of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Incorporated—the first Latin fraternity to step and stroll—and The Revels Stroll Team, where he was led by former team captains Francisco Pozo and Carlos Zapata. This is Joseph’s fifth season with the Company.
ROBERT WARNSLEY is a native of Chicago, IL, with a BS in Information Technology from Illinois State University. A member of the Eta Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Robert served as the step and stroll master for four years and has organized, competed, and placed first in numerous step shows. He has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to teach stepping, and he actively participates in community service projects in Chicago. Robert also studies, practices, and teaches dancehall and various Afro styles in the Chicagoland, DMV, and NYC areas. This is Robert’s eighth season with the Company.