Sheron has danced in LCDT and Rambert Dance Company. In 1992 she formed JazzXchange music and Dance Company and has created many collaborative works with jazz musicians. Sheron has also choreographed for the London’s Dome Opening Ceremony, Tumbuka Dance Company, in Zimbabwe and Cuban company Danza Libre. JazzXchange are in partnership with Birmingham DanceXchange to strategically develop the profile of jazz and have recently been awarded a grant from the Jerwood Foundation. Sheron teaches and performs extensively throughout the UK and overseas.

Judith Palmer, has been a performer and teacher of traditional African dance forms for 17 years. She spent 10 of those years with Adzido Pan-African dance Ensemble. After leaving Adzido in 1996, Judith went on to the University of Surrey where she spent three years as Associate Lecturer in African Dance forms as well as studying for an MA. Judith is currently the Course Co-ordinator of the UK’s first accredited courses in African and Caribbean dance run by IRIE! Dance theatre and teaches in other schools and colleges.

Robert began dancing as a street dancer and in jazz clubs, which led him to join Bamboozle, a performing street jazz crew based in Newcastle. He then trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and created Robert Hylton Urban Classicism in 1999. His choreographic credits include the Black Yorkshire Achievers Awards, Always Theatre Company in Chequered for the British Festival of Visual Theatre and Jigsaw Jam with Kompany Malakhi in 1998. Robert has danced for Phoenix and Jonzi D, and recently was guest artist with Jazz Xchange. Robert’s teaching credits include the ADAD educational roadshow, Ludus residency, Reading McDonalds Out Town Story and MDI residency in Liverpool. Robert performed the first element of his soloExpansions: a step into Urban Classicism in ADAD’s UK choreographic tour, the 3rd Black British Dance Festival, Resolution! at The Place and the British Dance Edition in Newcastle, and has recently performed in a British Council sponsored trip to the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella festival in Johannesburg. Robert is currently one of the Associate Artists at the Place.

Artistic Director, Kwesi Johnson is part of a new generation of black artists who are bringing their eclectic cultural experiences to dance. Kwesi Johnson has been trained on the streets and in the studio. A graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, he has performed with some of the most prolific international companies and choreographers from The Netherlands Opera to Phoenix Dance Company, Lloyd Newson, Black Mime Theatre, Parisian based Company Duroure, The Hittite Empire, CandoCo Dance Company and Badejo Arts. Kwesi was also part of the Black Choreographic Initiative from 1995 -1997. He established his own company, Kompany Malakhi, in 1993 when he received his first commission for "Searching for a Shaman" which premiered at the Nott. Dance Festival. Kwesi has since choreographed four pieces for Kompany Malakhi.

Funmi Adewole is a freelance performer and writer having studied Modern European languages at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. She has worked as a TV producer, writer and radio actress before moving to the UK in 1994. She has toured with a number of theatre companies including Ritual Theatre Arts, Banner Theatre, Mashango African Dance and Music Company and Adzido. Her passion is Dance and she is presently researching the development of African dance as a theatrical form funded by London Arts and regularly speaks at conferences in Britain, Sweden and France. She is particularly interested in ADAD’s aims to raise the level of critical debate and appreciation of African Peoples’ dance

Carolene is the Artistic Director of the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, Europe’s premiere Authentic Jazz Dance Company. She performs with the company and teaches on numerous residencies. Carolene’s involvement in ADAD stems from a belief that whatever dance form and therefore the music that a dancer is involved in, requires dedication and a desire to communicate those ideas to a wider audience.

Patrick Acogny, Senegalo-french, is an international choreographer and teacher. In 1995 he became the Artistic Director of Kokuma Dance Theatre. Based in Birmingham, Patrick has developed his own unique style of African Dance fusing elements of various Dance forms from different cultures. Now a free-lancer he is dedicated to teaching and working with dance companies open to African dance forms. He joined the steering committee to support the art form. His international perspective and experience of African contemporary dance in Europe and in Africa will bring opportunities and new perspectives to ADAD.

Cinciani Alicia holds a Masters in Music Therapy from the University of Florida. She was awarded a Brazilian Cultural and Language Fellowship in 1997 and has worked as a dancer, choreographer and musician in Brazil. She is teaching Afro- Brazilian dance in London and is keen to assist ADAD to develop international links.