Kimosha P. Murphy
 Artistic
Director
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Artistic Director Kimosha P. Murphy
is the mentor, teacher, choreographer of ALYO CHILDREN'S DANCE
THEATRE. As a commemoration to ALYO C. Tolbert she founded the
group as an art education effort that would develop the talents
and knowledge of urban children through the dance and music traditions
of Africa. Kimosha earned her B.S. in Human Resources with a minor
in dance from Southern Illinois University and pursued graduate
study in Early Childhood Special Education. She has been honored
with grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs in Chicago
under the Neighbor-hood Arts and Community Arts Assistance Programs
as well as the Master-Apprentice and Special Assistance grants
from the Illinois Arts Council and the Mac Arthur Foundation Community
Initiatives Grant. Ms. Murphy earned a Certificate of Recognition
for the Study Abroad 2000 Summer Program at the Universities of
Senegal and the Gambia, West Africa, through the Office of International
Programs at Chicago State University. She is also a proud recipient
of the Boulevard Arts Center's Tribute to Children's Artist and
a number of Outstanding Service Awards including MUNTU Dance Theatre
and the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services.
She brings over twenty years of training and performance experience
in traditional and contemporary (Jazz and Modern) African dance
to the company. As a featured performer with MUNTU Dance Theatre
for over 15 years MS Murphy served as principle dancer and Dance
Captain. She also directed Young Audiences programs and enjoyed
touring internationally with that company. Her teaching credits
include The Theater School of De Paul University, Roosevelt University
Theater Department, Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, Dance
Center of Columbia College and several local schools and organizations.
Instructional Team and Adult Ensemble Performers:
Vaune Charles Blalock, Family Dance Instructor
Aaluna Hector-Faye: Dance Instructor
Mesi Walton: African Dance Instructor, (on haitus)
Taalah Faye: Drum Accompanist
Erin Stewart: Alum dancer Hip Hop Instructor
Brittany Walker: Alum Dance
Dieli Morikeba Kouyate: Mandingue Folklore consultant
Jalo Babu Atiba: Djembe/Dounou Drum Consultant
Adult Ensemble:
Kimosha P. Murphy
Mesi Walton
Shekina President
Mashaunne Wilkes
Niame Ingram
Brittany Walker
Sekou Conde
Tallah Faye
Volunteer Coordinators:
Margaret De Berry
Marianne Turner
Board of Directors:
Ex-Officio Director: Kimosha P. Murphy
Secretary: Anita Ealey
Treasurer: Margaret De Berry
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