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OUR STORY
DANCE INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA
Dance Institute of Philadelphia: Where Passion Meets Purpose
The Dance Institute of Philadelphia (DIP) story begins not just in a studio, but in a deep bond shared by three childhood friends. Carli Farris, Shante Forrest, and Tia Jordan formed a sisterhood through dance, honing their skills under the legendary Cheryl Gaines Jenkins (Ms. Cheryl) at La Cher Tari Dance Studio. After college, their passion for dance reunited them with Ms. Cheryl at Canaan Baptist Church Institute of the Arts (IOTA), where they continued their journey as teachers. Years later a shared dream bloomed – a dream of creating a space where their own love for dance could inspire a new generation.
In 2008, this dream became a reality with the birth of Dance Institute of Philadelphia. DIP wasn't just a studio; it was a culmination of their experiences, a place where both dedication and joy were celebrated.
Today, DIP continues to grow, its legacy built on the foundation of passion, education, and inclusivity.
INSPIRE - CULTIVATE - EDUCATE
OUR FOUNDERS
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to deliver a high-quality dance education to inner-city youth, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity and diversity within the realm of dance. Our program is meticulously crafted to cultivate self-esteem, instill discipline, and foster aesthetic and body awareness. Furthermore, we aspire to nurture an admiration for the performing arts while imparting knowledge of diverse dance genres influenced by a myriad of cultures.
Rooted in Education, Focused on Growth
With dance education at its core, DIP fosters a well-rounded experience for every student. Whether you're a serious dancer yearning for technical excellence or a fun-loving individual seeking creative expression, DIP has a place for you. Our instructors, carrying the torch ignited by these three founders, create a family-friendly atmosphere where every dancer feels supported and empowered.
our staff
Our team of highly qualified staff and talented instructors are passionate about sharing their love for dance. They help students achieve their goals with confidence and ease - from beginner to experienced dancers. They are the heart of our studio and go above and beyond in their commitment to the dancers.
Carli R. Farris
Founder, Artistic Director, Instructor
CARLI R. FARRIS is Founder/Co-Owner and Artistic Director at the Dance Institute of Philadelphia. In this role she handles all of the artistry of the student annual recital as well as founded and directs the newly developed traveling Performance Company. She began her formal dance instruction at the age of four, under the direction of Mrs. Cheryl G. Jenkins while attending Ivy Leaf School. Her teaching is a combination and reflection of the superb instruction that she received while at La-Cher-Tari dance studio under such greats as the late Marian D. Cuyjet, Delphine Mantz, Jiva Rankins, Henry Roy, Carol Butcher, Melvin Purnell, Henry Roy, and the late Craig Moore. Carli has taught at various Philadelphia Public Schools and Charter schools as a Health/Physical Education and Dance instructor. Carli has choreographed for various, pre-professional dance companies, after school programs as well as been an student of dance for over 40 years. This year marks Carli’s 26th year as a dance instructor. Carli holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Delaware State University. Carli is admired by her peers for her dynamic choreography, diverse concept development, and creative style. It is her goal to encourage young minds to focus on their abilities and to “kick it out” in all that they do. Her professional attributes include the production of “Eve’s Battle, with Anointed Ones Productions, Evelyn Graves’ Drama Production’s “Black Nativity, as a performer in Walt Disney World’s Millennium Celebration, and as a member and guest choreographer for the T.H.J. Dance Ensemble. Carli was appointed the Assistant Director at Caanan Institute of the Arts for several years. Carli specializes and excels in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern, African Dance, Pointe and Praise dance.
Angela Pernell
Executive Director
ANGELA PERNELL (Ms. Angie) is the Executive Director of Dance Institute of Philadelphia. She is also responsible for executing all aspects of public outreach campaigns to support strategic marketing initiatives for DIP and the Performance Company, DanceInPhinity!. Ms. Angie began dancing at the age of two, and received most of her dance training under the directorship of Cheryl Gaines Jenkins at La Cher Tari Dance Studio. It is here where her training in ballet, jazz, African, tap, pointe, and modern was under the tutelage of dance legends such as Marian Cuyjet, Cheryl G. Jenkins, Delphine Mantz, Jiva Rankins, Henry Roy and a host of others. Although she stopped dancing shortly before leaving for college, dance always remained in her heart. It was this love of dance that later reunited her with her dance family as she took the position of Assistant Director of Finance here at the Dance Institute of Philadelphia.
Anthony K. Smith
Instructor, Rehearsal Director DanceInPhinity! Performance Company
ANTHONY K. SMITH is the Rehearsal Director and head Choreographer for the performing company of DanceInPhinity! He is also the Events Manager for the Dance Institute of Philadelphia. Anthony is a native of Philadelphia, PA and has been dancing since the age of 3. Most of his training was received from West Philadelphia High School, Progressive Center for Dance, Mickey's Dance School, Bodies in Motion, Philadanco, and University of the Arts. He started choreographing in 1997 at West Philadelphia High School and Shelia Dance School. He has had the pleasure of working with teachers and choreographers such as Ms. Chauntee Andrews, Itola, Wayne St. David, Roni Koresh, Kim Bears, Scott Jovovich, Eva, Brian Sanders, Ms. Carol, Anthony Burrell, Mia Michaels, and many more. He has performed with companies such as Grace, Me'lenge, Bodies in Motions, Perfect Combination, etc. Soon after that he started teaching at Y.P.T.C, The city of Philadelphia, Y.M.C.A, C.Pal The City of Chester, P.A.P.A Dance School, Dance Institute of Philadelphia, Precision & Pride, Bodies & Motion, Feltonville Dream Center, X-Press Yourself C.A.P.A, Ajala Essence Dance Studio, Dance4ever, The Upper Room Church, South Philly HS, Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, Mastery Charter School, New Freedom Theater, and many more. Among many other talents that Anthony has, he always seems to never stray away from his passion for dance, teaching, and love for the arts.
Rodney "Itola" Byrd
Instructor, Rehearsal Director DanceInPhinity! Performance Company
RODNEY "ITOLA" BYRD, affectionately loved as "Mr. E", is the Director for DanceInPhinity II (D2), an instructor at DAT Dance Studio, L’Levate Dance Studio, and is the Director of DIP Summer Intensive program. Itola attended University City High School majoring in math and science when he was introduced to dance from gym/dance teacher, Yolanda Brooks. After auditioning, Mr. Itola was enrolled at The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. Upon winning The Pennsylvania Governor's Arts Scholarship during his junior year, Mr. Itola decided to further his training and enrolled at The University of Arts majoring in Dance/Dance Education. While attending U Arts, he was a member of the Professional dance company, LEJA/Eleone. Upon graduating, Mr. Itola relocated to Washington, DC as a Company member with The Adrain Bolton Dance Company/DC ARTWORKS. During his dance tenure, Mr. Itola studied under the tutelage of Patricia Thomas, Athea Leslie, Andrew Pap, Carol Davis, Faye Snow, Rod Rodgers, and Carol Oruska.
Alyssa Bowser
Instructor, Rehearsal Director DanceInPhinity! Performance Company
ALYSSA BOWSER, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, embarked on her dance journey at Brenda Lee's Dance Studio at the young age of three, under the guidance of Brenda herself. Transitioning from Brenda Lee's Dance Studio, Alyssa joined the Young Performers Theatre Camp (YPTC) where she discovered her new home at The Pointe! Dance Studio. At The Pointe!, Alyssa kickstarted her competitive dance career and toured with Straight to The Pointe! Dance Company. Graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where she specialized in dance under LaDeva Davis's tutelage, Alyssa also participated in the Dance Creating New Stars summer intensive (DCNS) led by Dara Meredith and Laceda Nelson. Alyssa has since served as an assistant director at Next Generation Dance Conservatory, Dance Director at Collective Mic Productions, the Creative Director for the Cheltenham School District's Annual Black History Month Celebration, rehearsal directors for Straight To The Pointe! Dance Company, the studio from which she graduated. Alyssa aspires to pay it forward, inspired by the mentorship she received. She is now the proud owner of Philadelphia's first adult-only dance studio, offering ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop classes to adult learners who have a passion for dance and wish to rekindle their love for it.
Lonnie Rodgers-Andrews
Instructor, Co-Director DanceInPhinity! Performance Company
LONNIE M. RODGERS-ANDREWS is the Co-Director of DanceInPhinity! She is also a loving mother of 3 and devoted wife of Ira Andrews. Lonnie has been dancing since the age of 4. Her studies include jazz, Ballet, and tap at La-Cher-Tari dance studio Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, Broadway Dance Studio, and Touch of Class Dance Studio. She has been a dance instructor for several years. Her professional attributes include the 76ers dance team, Philadelphia Kixx dance team, 76ers Sweetcake’s, THJ Dance Ensemble and the Hampton University Marching Force Dance Team: Ebony Fire. She has studied under the direction of Cheryl Gaines-Jenkins and Elmer “Skeets” Ball and many other Philadelphia dance legends. Lonnie currently has her BA from Hampton University, Master’s from Temple as well as her Doctorate from Temple University. Lonnie specializes in early learner ballet, modern and jazz instruction.
Kareem B. Goodwin
Instructor
KAREEM B. GOODWIN, a native of Philadelphia, PA began his dance training at the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, where he formally began his dance training under Charon Mapp, Wayne St. David, Anthony Burrell, and Faye Snow. He attended The University of the Arts where he studied Jazz Dance with an emphasis on Choreography and was awarded the 2011 Choreography prize. Kareem has had the pleasure of being in the presence of and working with such choreographers as Christopher L. Huggins, Louis Johnson, Ronen Koresh, Gary W. Jeter II, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Dara Meredith, Kirven Douhit-Boyd Zane Booker, and Arthur Mitchell. Kareem has set works on the 6 O’Clock Dance Theatre, Terrance M. Johnson Dance Project, West Chester University, and State University of New York (Oneonta Campus), Eleone Dance Theatre, among others. He is currently the Director of Grace Dance Theater 2 and is the Resident Choreographer for Dissonance Dance Theater where he has co-choreographed the film MUTE: Dance Silenced by COVID which has won Best Dance Film at the Cannes World Film Festival. Mr. Goodwin is the 2023-24 recipient of the Ellen Forman Memorial Award for choreography administered by Drexel University and the Philadelphia Foundation.
Nicole Tucker
Instructor
Nicole Tucker began dancing at the age of 10. While she studied many forms of dance, including modern and jazz her love and passion has always been for ballet. Nicole is a graduate of the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. She also attended the Dance Theater of Harlem and Philadanco. Nicole has had the honor and privilege of being taught by many notable instructors such as Craig “Spider” Moore, Jimmy Truitte, Kim Bears, Deborah Manning and mentors, Rodney Itola Byrd and Carol Cubbage Davis. Nicole has been a ballet instructor at Ms. Carol’s Center for Dance, formerly PCD for over 22 years and is currently a ballet and modern instructor at other dance schools in the Philadelphia area. She is a founding member of Company Grace, now known as Grace Dance Theater. Nicole teaches with enthusiasm and passion. She strives to cultivate in her dancers the same level of enthusiasm and love for dance, especially ballet.
Jacqueline Tillman
Instructor
JACQUELINE TILLMAN began dancing at the age of six at La Cher-Tari Dance School under the direction of Cheryl G. Jenkins. She has studied under various instructors such as, Marian Cuyjet, Delphine Mantz, John Hines, Elmer “Skeets” Ball and a host of others. Jackie was a choreographer for the Cheltenham High School Dancers, West Oak Lane Charter School’s Dance Ensemble and she was a member of the North Carolina Central University Dance Team and God’s Grace Dance Ministry at Sharon Baptist Church. She is currently a choreographer for the Youth Dance and Seasoned Saints Dance Ministries at Sharon Baptist Church. Jackie specializes in beginner ballet and jazz instruction.
Rashid Mason
Instructor
RASHID MASON, a native of Camden, NJ, began his training at Halliday Dance School in Pennsauken, New Jersey. There he studied Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Tap. Rashid is an alumnus of Bethune-Cookman College (Bachelor of Science - Psychology) and Florida A&M University (Masters of Science – School Psychology and Educational Specialist Degree) who enjoys supporting and advocating for the educational and social emotional needs of all students; especially those with special educational needs. Rashid has been an instructor for Dance Sensations, Camden P.A.L Summer Dance Program, and was named the Program Director in 2010. He was a cast member of the 2011 production of "For Colored Girls." at The Walt Whitman Center for Performing Arts and a featured dancer in the 2000 production of the “Prodigal Son” at Rutgers University. Rashid was also the dance choreographer for the Pennsauken High School Cheerleading Team, Camden City Perkette Cheer Team, and the Mastery Molina Junior High School Cheer Team. Rashid used his dance and instrumental talents as a proud member of the Bethune-Cookman College Marching Wildcats “The Pride”, who have been featured in many ABC Walt Disney World Christmas Specials, the 20th Century Fox film “Drumline”, NFL halftime shows, and most recently the Netflix series “Marching Order”. Rashid is currently Assistant Director and Instructor at Dare 2 Dance of Camden, NJ and Resident Artist at Sound Space Performing Arts. He is also the Author of his new children’s book, “The Rhythm of My Feet”, which expresses his love for dance, especially Tap Dance. He is extremely grateful to be a part of the Dance Institute of Philadelphia family.
in loving memory
Tia L. Jordan
OUR FOUNDER AND OUR FRIEND
Tia L. Jordan, one of Dance Institute of Philadelphia’s founders, was a student of the performing arts for over 37 years, dancing since the age of 2. She was such an incredible talent and asset to our DIP Family.
Ms. Tia was a graceful, genuine, and beautiful person inside and out and is dearly missed.
