Walltown Staff & Instructors
~~ Dance Instructors ~~ Dance Instructors ~~ Dance Instructors ~~ Dance Instructors ~~
Cynthia Penn-Halal: Founding Artistic Director
Walltown Company Artistic Director
Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
Walltown Company Artistic Director
Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
Grace Underwood: Competition Director - Walltown Dance Company Associate Director
Tap, Jazz, Tumbling Contemporary Dance
Grace is from Asheville, NC and she has danced since she was 3 years old. Grace started to compete when she was five years old and she has won several National and Regional Dance Competitions. She is experienced in all styles of dance, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, african, and acrobatics to name a few. Grace attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was on the Goldduster Dance Team all four years of her schooling. The last two years she was the captain, she is a three time Collegiate All-American and also a three time Most Valuable Performer voted on by her teammates. Grace also received her Dance Minor from UNC-Charlotte. Grace truly enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for dance with students.
Tap, Jazz, Tumbling Contemporary Dance
Grace is from Asheville, NC and she has danced since she was 3 years old. Grace started to compete when she was five years old and she has won several National and Regional Dance Competitions. She is experienced in all styles of dance, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, african, and acrobatics to name a few. Grace attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was on the Goldduster Dance Team all four years of her schooling. The last two years she was the captain, she is a three time Collegiate All-American and also a three time Most Valuable Performer voted on by her teammates. Grace also received her Dance Minor from UNC-Charlotte. Grace truly enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for dance with students.
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Christa Carter
Children's Yoga Christa is a North Carolina native who enjoys laughing and being surrounded by family and friends. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a degree in Anthropology. For the past seven years she has been working with children in various settings including nanny and preschool teacher. Through the years, she has enjoyed learning how the body moves by dancing and practicing yoga. As her love for yoga grew, she began to pursue avenues to teach yoga in the community. In 2021, joining her passion for youth and yoga she completed yoga teacher training through Growga Kids Yoga. Ultimately, her passion is to empower youth to appreciate their body and cultivate social emotional growth through a fun and engaging yoga practice. |
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Kyra McDonald
Ballet, Pointe, Pilates
Kyra is from Tampa, FL and started dancing when she was three. She has experience in ballet and contemporary styles. She was part of Next Generation Ballet’s Trainee Program for six years and has attended summer programs with Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Kyra graduated Berkeley Preparatory School in 2017 while teaching Dance at the Berkeley Academy for two summers. She has also taught ballet as an assistant teacher at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa for 4 years. She is currently attending Duke University pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering while dancing and choreographing with the Duke Dance Program and Devils en Pointe student group.
Ballet, Pointe, Pilates
Kyra is from Tampa, FL and started dancing when she was three. She has experience in ballet and contemporary styles. She was part of Next Generation Ballet’s Trainee Program for six years and has attended summer programs with Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Kyra graduated Berkeley Preparatory School in 2017 while teaching Dance at the Berkeley Academy for two summers. She has also taught ballet as an assistant teacher at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa for 4 years. She is currently attending Duke University pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering while dancing and choreographing with the Duke Dance Program and Devils en Pointe student group.
Abigail Gomez
Ballet, Hip Hop
Abigail is 15 years old and has been a part of Walltown Children’s Theater since the age of 3. She will be an intern teacher this session. She has trained in many styles, from ballet, contemporary, modern, and lyrical to jazz, tap, hip hop, african, and latin. Abigail has taken classes from Geo Huebela, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Dena Rizzo, Kristin Taylor, and Debbie Allen. In the summer of 2018, she attended the Debbie Allen Summer Intensive in Los Angeles. She has assisted Bernadine Fields and Dena Rizzo for summer workshops. Currently, she’s a part of the Senior Dance Company and Competition team at Walltown. Abigail has been a part of some of our productions, playing Rebecca, Amber, Raina, Sugarplum and more in the Nutcracker. She also participated in our first Indigo Blue Musical. Abby takes dance at Jordan High School.
Ballet, Hip Hop
Abigail is 15 years old and has been a part of Walltown Children’s Theater since the age of 3. She will be an intern teacher this session. She has trained in many styles, from ballet, contemporary, modern, and lyrical to jazz, tap, hip hop, african, and latin. Abigail has taken classes from Geo Huebela, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Dena Rizzo, Kristin Taylor, and Debbie Allen. In the summer of 2018, she attended the Debbie Allen Summer Intensive in Los Angeles. She has assisted Bernadine Fields and Dena Rizzo for summer workshops. Currently, she’s a part of the Senior Dance Company and Competition team at Walltown. Abigail has been a part of some of our productions, playing Rebecca, Amber, Raina, Sugarplum and more in the Nutcracker. She also participated in our first Indigo Blue Musical. Abby takes dance at Jordan High School.
Mariana Gomez Acero
Contemporary, Hip Hop
Mariana was born and bred in Durham, NC. She began coming to Walltown Children’s Theatre at the age of 8 beginning with Hip Hop. Not soon after, she began taking other styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. She joined the Walltown Dance Company at age eleven and began her pre-professional training. She has traveled with WDC and performed in Lynchburg, VA, Myrtle Beach, and in various statewide festivals. Mariana has worn many hats at Walltown Children’s Theatre including stage manager for Indigo Blue, rehearsal director and choreographer for the Walltown Dance Company, instructor, as well as production coordinator for the holiday production of the Durham Nutcracker. She has received classes from Kristin Taylor, Geo Huebla, Twitch, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Gev Manoukian, and Dena Rizzo where she served as Ms. Rizzo’s assistant in the WCT 2019 Dance UNIversTY.
Contemporary, Hip Hop
Mariana was born and bred in Durham, NC. She began coming to Walltown Children’s Theatre at the age of 8 beginning with Hip Hop. Not soon after, she began taking other styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. She joined the Walltown Dance Company at age eleven and began her pre-professional training. She has traveled with WDC and performed in Lynchburg, VA, Myrtle Beach, and in various statewide festivals. Mariana has worn many hats at Walltown Children’s Theatre including stage manager for Indigo Blue, rehearsal director and choreographer for the Walltown Dance Company, instructor, as well as production coordinator for the holiday production of the Durham Nutcracker. She has received classes from Kristin Taylor, Geo Huebla, Twitch, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Gev Manoukian, and Dena Rizzo where she served as Ms. Rizzo’s assistant in the WCT 2019 Dance UNIversTY.
Andrea Lara
Latin Dance, Creative Movement
Originally from Colombia, Andrea was born in a family of artists. Her mother, a folklore dancer and her father a songwriter and musician, influenced her love for music and dancing. At a very early age Andrea was dedicated to learn different Latin American folk dances at school of arts which she attended in Bogotá. She was later selected by the school to participate in school dance competitions around the country. At the same time she joined a Latin American folk Dance company where she participated in different performances like Tango, Flamenco, Mexican Jarabe Tapatio and other folk dances for seven years. After finishing school, even though she took a different path in College, she continued dancing as a hobby and stayed connected with her folk roots. Andrea came to the U.S five years ago and has been part of the Walltown Children’s Theater family for the past two years supporting her son Jahmal and arranging choreographies and summer camp classes. She has taken this opportunity to revive her passion for dancing and reconnect with her folk roots. Andrea brings to WTC new sounds and rhythms that will transport participants to the roots of Latin America.
Latin Dance, Creative Movement
Originally from Colombia, Andrea was born in a family of artists. Her mother, a folklore dancer and her father a songwriter and musician, influenced her love for music and dancing. At a very early age Andrea was dedicated to learn different Latin American folk dances at school of arts which she attended in Bogotá. She was later selected by the school to participate in school dance competitions around the country. At the same time she joined a Latin American folk Dance company where she participated in different performances like Tango, Flamenco, Mexican Jarabe Tapatio and other folk dances for seven years. After finishing school, even though she took a different path in College, she continued dancing as a hobby and stayed connected with her folk roots. Andrea came to the U.S five years ago and has been part of the Walltown Children’s Theater family for the past two years supporting her son Jahmal and arranging choreographies and summer camp classes. She has taken this opportunity to revive her passion for dancing and reconnect with her folk roots. Andrea brings to WTC new sounds and rhythms that will transport participants to the roots of Latin America.
Dena Rizzo
Guest Hip Hop Teacher
Dena Rizzo has been teaching and educating students in Hip Hop for over 20 years, and she is proficient in jazz, contemporary and tap . She owned a dance studio in Myrtle Beach ,SC for over 10 years but closed it when she was given the opportunity to teach and travel on a professional level . Her combined number of years teaching all of the dance genres is a total of 35 years .
She travels all over the country teaching on several convention circuits as well as master classes in studios. Once Dena moved to NYC she worked with MTV , VH-1 and was part of a summer intensive called Destination Broadway just to name a few. She left NYC to be closer to her family and began putting together a dance ministry to add to her long list of projects she continues to do in dance. Her dance ministry has grown and she has a group of dancers who perform at various events and conferences .
Dena has the ability to teach not only the technique of Hip Hop but to further educate students , teachers and even parents in the lifestyle of the Hip Hop culture. You will leave her class not only inspired by the style but educated in the true art form of Hip Hop .
She is still on staff of Showstoppers as an instructor and a judge for their competitions , Showstoppers is one of the best companies to work for in the dance community and Dena has worked with them for 23 years.
For more info or bookings
Dance.dena.rizzo@gmail.com
Guest Hip Hop Teacher
Dena Rizzo has been teaching and educating students in Hip Hop for over 20 years, and she is proficient in jazz, contemporary and tap . She owned a dance studio in Myrtle Beach ,SC for over 10 years but closed it when she was given the opportunity to teach and travel on a professional level . Her combined number of years teaching all of the dance genres is a total of 35 years .
She travels all over the country teaching on several convention circuits as well as master classes in studios. Once Dena moved to NYC she worked with MTV , VH-1 and was part of a summer intensive called Destination Broadway just to name a few. She left NYC to be closer to her family and began putting together a dance ministry to add to her long list of projects she continues to do in dance. Her dance ministry has grown and she has a group of dancers who perform at various events and conferences .
Dena has the ability to teach not only the technique of Hip Hop but to further educate students , teachers and even parents in the lifestyle of the Hip Hop culture. You will leave her class not only inspired by the style but educated in the true art form of Hip Hop .
She is still on staff of Showstoppers as an instructor and a judge for their competitions , Showstoppers is one of the best companies to work for in the dance community and Dena has worked with them for 23 years.
For more info or bookings
Dance.dena.rizzo@gmail.com
Tabitha Morant: Hip Hop - Bio under construction
~~ Music Instructors ~~ Music Instructors ~~ Music Instructors ~~ Music Instructors ~~
Cara M. Williams: Walltown Children's Theatre Executive Director
Raising Voices Instructor
Cara has been touring for over 15 years both domestically and abroad as a co-director and soloist/lead vocalist for the One Human Family Choir. She has also performed solo at various programs, and ceremonies including weddings, festivals, and other public/private events . A respected choir clinician, facilitator, organizer, and mentor, Cara has presented choir clinics and music workshops across the United States and in Canada. Cara specializes in bringing singers and musicians of diverse backgrounds/populations together to present musical models of unity to the wider community. Cara’s voice is warm, soulful , and filled with emotional energy. Deeply rooted in spiritual/Gospel music, and heavily influenced by classical, R&B, funk, and jazz greats, her versatile vocal style is evident in her performances. Although Cara is best known for her work with groups that include both children and adults, Cara has conducted children’s choir workshops in Kelowna, British Columbia, Columbus OH, Conway/Myrtle Beach SC, and Durham NC. In addition, Cara annually travels to Louhelen Bahai School in Flint, MI to serve as Musician in Residence where she conducts age specific music workshops daily, culminating in a music concert presenting each class separately and the entire group as a whole. Participants aged 4 to 80 travel from across the US and Canada to participate in her workshops at the School. Cara always explains to audiences that music has a way of touching hearts before the mind has a chance to alter the message – which is why she continues to use her musical abilities as a vehicle to bring diverse peoples together
Raising Voices Instructor
Cara has been touring for over 15 years both domestically and abroad as a co-director and soloist/lead vocalist for the One Human Family Choir. She has also performed solo at various programs, and ceremonies including weddings, festivals, and other public/private events . A respected choir clinician, facilitator, organizer, and mentor, Cara has presented choir clinics and music workshops across the United States and in Canada. Cara specializes in bringing singers and musicians of diverse backgrounds/populations together to present musical models of unity to the wider community. Cara’s voice is warm, soulful , and filled with emotional energy. Deeply rooted in spiritual/Gospel music, and heavily influenced by classical, R&B, funk, and jazz greats, her versatile vocal style is evident in her performances. Although Cara is best known for her work with groups that include both children and adults, Cara has conducted children’s choir workshops in Kelowna, British Columbia, Columbus OH, Conway/Myrtle Beach SC, and Durham NC. In addition, Cara annually travels to Louhelen Bahai School in Flint, MI to serve as Musician in Residence where she conducts age specific music workshops daily, culminating in a music concert presenting each class separately and the entire group as a whole. Participants aged 4 to 80 travel from across the US and Canada to participate in her workshops at the School. Cara always explains to audiences that music has a way of touching hearts before the mind has a chance to alter the message – which is why she continues to use her musical abilities as a vehicle to bring diverse peoples together
Rissi Palmer
Songwriting - Singing Coach
Since releasing her self-titled CD in October 2007, singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer has received widespread media attention including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People Magazine, GIANT, New York Post, VIBE, CBS Saturday Early Show, Huffington Post, Extra, CNN, Rolling Stone, PerezHilton.com, as well as an appearance on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show and NPR’s The State of Things.
Palmer's singles "Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air” were all on the Billboard Country Charts, making her the first African-American woman to have a song on the country charts in 20 years. She recorded an exclusive EP for Starbucks, her videos were fan favorites on CMT and GAC and she has been an invited performer at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry on numerous occasions. Rissi’s songs have appeared on television shows such as Saving Grace, Army Wives, and Heartland and in the feature film The Woodsman starring Kevin Bacon. Ms. Palmer is also the co creator and co-host of “The Relative Pitch”, an open mic for youth 18 and under held monthly in Raleigh, NC. Having written her first song at 6 and receiving her first publishing deal at the age of 19, Rissi has taken her years of songwriting in Nashville and New York City and created a curriculum for students who are interested in lyric and music composition. She is passionate about helping her students find and develop their own unique voice and style by teaching the differences and similarities of various genres (i.e. Country, R&B, Pop, Rock, Indie, etc), encouraging students keep a journal, and using various exercises to dissect and learn the techniques of great songwriters of yesterday and today..
Songwriting - Singing Coach
Since releasing her self-titled CD in October 2007, singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer has received widespread media attention including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People Magazine, GIANT, New York Post, VIBE, CBS Saturday Early Show, Huffington Post, Extra, CNN, Rolling Stone, PerezHilton.com, as well as an appearance on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show and NPR’s The State of Things.
Palmer's singles "Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air” were all on the Billboard Country Charts, making her the first African-American woman to have a song on the country charts in 20 years. She recorded an exclusive EP for Starbucks, her videos were fan favorites on CMT and GAC and she has been an invited performer at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry on numerous occasions. Rissi’s songs have appeared on television shows such as Saving Grace, Army Wives, and Heartland and in the feature film The Woodsman starring Kevin Bacon. Ms. Palmer is also the co creator and co-host of “The Relative Pitch”, an open mic for youth 18 and under held monthly in Raleigh, NC. Having written her first song at 6 and receiving her first publishing deal at the age of 19, Rissi has taken her years of songwriting in Nashville and New York City and created a curriculum for students who are interested in lyric and music composition. She is passionate about helping her students find and develop their own unique voice and style by teaching the differences and similarities of various genres (i.e. Country, R&B, Pop, Rock, Indie, etc), encouraging students keep a journal, and using various exercises to dissect and learn the techniques of great songwriters of yesterday and today..
Sarah Law:
Intro to Musical Theater
Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Her passion for the creative arts began as a young girl and has since then only continued to grow. From putting on backyard productions of Disney’s The Newsies with her sister after school ̶ to being one of the pioneer students in the show choir “Cabaret Singers” at her high school ̶ to performing for several years in a holiday show that had thousands in attendance! She has enjoyed being a part of many small stage productions filling the role of actor, dancer, and singer as well as choreographer, stage manager, set designer, and assistant director.
Sarah ultimately chose to pursue the creative path of fine arts and design with a focus on children’s growth, behavior and learning styles. Her twenty plus years working with children has allowed her to understand how children grow and learn best. Sarah considers it a privilege to have worked with many families, mentoring children through life lessons and learning each child’s unique character and personality so that she’s better able to help them mature and take on life with a full toolbox. This has also allowed her to offer guidance and support to many parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and caretakers of children. She is currently writing a book for anyone with children in their lives, that she believes will assist in giving children the guidance and support they need to thrive and grow into happy adults that positively contribute to the world around them. Her passion for the creative arts and her expertise in children’s growth and behavior naturally combine to create a unique skill set that she hopes will make a positive difference for years to come.
Intro to Musical Theater
Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Her passion for the creative arts began as a young girl and has since then only continued to grow. From putting on backyard productions of Disney’s The Newsies with her sister after school ̶ to being one of the pioneer students in the show choir “Cabaret Singers” at her high school ̶ to performing for several years in a holiday show that had thousands in attendance! She has enjoyed being a part of many small stage productions filling the role of actor, dancer, and singer as well as choreographer, stage manager, set designer, and assistant director.
Sarah ultimately chose to pursue the creative path of fine arts and design with a focus on children’s growth, behavior and learning styles. Her twenty plus years working with children has allowed her to understand how children grow and learn best. Sarah considers it a privilege to have worked with many families, mentoring children through life lessons and learning each child’s unique character and personality so that she’s better able to help them mature and take on life with a full toolbox. This has also allowed her to offer guidance and support to many parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and caretakers of children. She is currently writing a book for anyone with children in their lives, that she believes will assist in giving children the guidance and support they need to thrive and grow into happy adults that positively contribute to the world around them. Her passion for the creative arts and her expertise in children’s growth and behavior naturally combine to create a unique skill set that she hopes will make a positive difference for years to come.
Ben Lassiter
Guitar
Growing up in Greensboro, Ben started playing clarinet in elementary school and switched to guitar at age fifteen. Just a few years after picking up the guitar Ben received the 'Outstanding Soloist' award from his high school Jazz Ensemble.
At Appalachian State University Ben studied music, working with saxophonist Todd Wright and guitarists Andy Page and Dr. Douglas James, as well as performing with the ASU big band.
Ben is a graduate of North Carolina Central University's Masters in Jazz Studies program where he studied with Baron Tymas, Joey Calderazzo, and Dr. Ira Wiggins. He was also a part of the numerous award winning large and small ensembles at NCCU.
An in demand guitarist, Ben performs regularly with the Mint Julep Jazz Band, the Onyx Club Boys and the Hot Club of Raleigh.
Teaching privately since 2005, Ben has experience working with students of all ages and levels and enjoys broadening students' musical horizons through the study of the guitar's many capabilities.
Guitar
Growing up in Greensboro, Ben started playing clarinet in elementary school and switched to guitar at age fifteen. Just a few years after picking up the guitar Ben received the 'Outstanding Soloist' award from his high school Jazz Ensemble.
At Appalachian State University Ben studied music, working with saxophonist Todd Wright and guitarists Andy Page and Dr. Douglas James, as well as performing with the ASU big band.
Ben is a graduate of North Carolina Central University's Masters in Jazz Studies program where he studied with Baron Tymas, Joey Calderazzo, and Dr. Ira Wiggins. He was also a part of the numerous award winning large and small ensembles at NCCU.
An in demand guitarist, Ben performs regularly with the Mint Julep Jazz Band, the Onyx Club Boys and the Hot Club of Raleigh.
Teaching privately since 2005, Ben has experience working with students of all ages and levels and enjoys broadening students' musical horizons through the study of the guitar's many capabilities.
Eka Ebong
Piano
Eka has played the piano for 12 years, and is excited to share her knowledge of theatre and piano with the Walltown community. Eka is doing double duty as an instructor in WTown's drama program teaching acting and improvisation.
Piano
Eka has played the piano for 12 years, and is excited to share her knowledge of theatre and piano with the Walltown community. Eka is doing double duty as an instructor in WTown's drama program teaching acting and improvisation.
Nava Barman
Creative Rap Workshops
“Nava Barman is a Duke University graduate and is currently in his second year of medical school in Philadelphia. He taught several semesters with Walltown as an undergraduate, and is continuing to work with our students this semester, virtually. Whatever free time he has away from the books, he spends as a songwriter and hip-hop lyricist. As a high school student in Denver, Colorado, he developed a taste for composition and performance with his high school funk/hip-hop band. They performed at several small venues in the Denver area as well as two shows at the historic Gothic Theater in downtown Denver. Nava then landed in Durham as an undergraduate, where he continued his hobby and passion for writing rap throughout his college years, releasing a small independent album in 2016. He performed these songs during small showcases at Duke, and one single from the album received limited airplay on the radio.
As Nava has grown in his life experiences, his sound matured as well to reflect all that he has learned and reflected on. Nava’s musical journey culminated in the release of his debut studio album, ‘chasing magnolias’, in the summer of 2020. His latest album has a reflective, somber tone, dealing with topics such as nostalgia, lost relationships, and longing in a time defined by quarantine and isolation. He hopes through Walltown he can teach young students to use writing and music as a means for self-expression, and to use songwriting and freestyle rap as fun ways for students to decompress and communicate their thoughts and feelings.”
Creative Rap Workshops
“Nava Barman is a Duke University graduate and is currently in his second year of medical school in Philadelphia. He taught several semesters with Walltown as an undergraduate, and is continuing to work with our students this semester, virtually. Whatever free time he has away from the books, he spends as a songwriter and hip-hop lyricist. As a high school student in Denver, Colorado, he developed a taste for composition and performance with his high school funk/hip-hop band. They performed at several small venues in the Denver area as well as two shows at the historic Gothic Theater in downtown Denver. Nava then landed in Durham as an undergraduate, where he continued his hobby and passion for writing rap throughout his college years, releasing a small independent album in 2016. He performed these songs during small showcases at Duke, and one single from the album received limited airplay on the radio.
As Nava has grown in his life experiences, his sound matured as well to reflect all that he has learned and reflected on. Nava’s musical journey culminated in the release of his debut studio album, ‘chasing magnolias’, in the summer of 2020. His latest album has a reflective, somber tone, dealing with topics such as nostalgia, lost relationships, and longing in a time defined by quarantine and isolation. He hopes through Walltown he can teach young students to use writing and music as a means for self-expression, and to use songwriting and freestyle rap as fun ways for students to decompress and communicate their thoughts and feelings.”
~~ Acting Instructors ~~ Acting Instructors ~~ Acting Instructors ~~ Acting Instructors ~~
Dilsey Davis: Associate Acting Director
Acting, Improvisation, Acting on Camera
Dilsey is a writer, producer, director and actor who enjoys using the magic of storytelling and the moving image to shape and influence culture. She has been working in the film and television industry for over 18 years. Mrs. Davis has studied acting at UNC-Chapel Hill, HB Studio in New York, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Lesly Khan Studios in Los Angeles. She is the founder and president of Café con Leche Media (CCL Media). CCL Media is an independent media production company in Atlanta, GA and Durham, NC dedicated to creating high quality projects. Mrs. Davis has created television programs and short films that combine both entertainment and messaging to effectively reach underserved audiences. Her work includes the award winning short film The Other Side, adapted from a children’s book of the same name. She also created, produced and directed the African short Wedding Day starring the popular South African actor Kenneth Nkosi (District 9, Tsotsi, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency). Most notably, she was the creator, producer and director of the award-winning “Nuestro Barrio” (Our Neighborhood), the first Spanish language series to air on English language television in the United States. In addition, she has produced a children’s short animation series entitled Adventures with Fit and Newt, as well as a multiple commercials, public service announcements, and industrial videos. She is currently writing and developing two new film projects under her company’s banner, while working as a story consultant for a Los Angeles based production company.
Acting, Improvisation, Acting on Camera
Dilsey is a writer, producer, director and actor who enjoys using the magic of storytelling and the moving image to shape and influence culture. She has been working in the film and television industry for over 18 years. Mrs. Davis has studied acting at UNC-Chapel Hill, HB Studio in New York, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Lesly Khan Studios in Los Angeles. She is the founder and president of Café con Leche Media (CCL Media). CCL Media is an independent media production company in Atlanta, GA and Durham, NC dedicated to creating high quality projects. Mrs. Davis has created television programs and short films that combine both entertainment and messaging to effectively reach underserved audiences. Her work includes the award winning short film The Other Side, adapted from a children’s book of the same name. She also created, produced and directed the African short Wedding Day starring the popular South African actor Kenneth Nkosi (District 9, Tsotsi, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency). Most notably, she was the creator, producer and director of the award-winning “Nuestro Barrio” (Our Neighborhood), the first Spanish language series to air on English language television in the United States. In addition, she has produced a children’s short animation series entitled Adventures with Fit and Newt, as well as a multiple commercials, public service announcements, and industrial videos. She is currently writing and developing two new film projects under her company’s banner, while working as a story consultant for a Los Angeles based production company.
Alicia Best
Poetry, Creative Writing, Set Design & Modeling
Alicia was raised in Durham, NC and started taking classes at Walltown Children’s Theatre the first year it opened. She has been involved both as a student and a teacher, on and off, since she was 11 years old. As a teenager Alicia started doing Slam Poetry competitions, winning Slams around the country, and she was briefly on the National Slam Team of MO. However when the coaches encouraged her to conform to a ‘Slam style sound’ and discouraged individuality, she decided to take her pursuits elsewhere. Her poetry has taken many forms since then, and she studied Playwriting and Performing Arts at Bennington College in VT. She has dabbled in fiction, prose, and many forms of poetry, these days her main gig is writing and performing songs in a band called ‘A Different Thread’. She is excited to explore different forms of writing with the students of Walltown this summer.
Poetry, Creative Writing, Set Design & Modeling
Alicia was raised in Durham, NC and started taking classes at Walltown Children’s Theatre the first year it opened. She has been involved both as a student and a teacher, on and off, since she was 11 years old. As a teenager Alicia started doing Slam Poetry competitions, winning Slams around the country, and she was briefly on the National Slam Team of MO. However when the coaches encouraged her to conform to a ‘Slam style sound’ and discouraged individuality, she decided to take her pursuits elsewhere. Her poetry has taken many forms since then, and she studied Playwriting and Performing Arts at Bennington College in VT. She has dabbled in fiction, prose, and many forms of poetry, these days her main gig is writing and performing songs in a band called ‘A Different Thread’. She is excited to explore different forms of writing with the students of Walltown this summer.
Angela Ray
Acting, Improvisation, Acting on Camera
Fresh off her New York Times critically acclaimed performance on the hit show, Atlanta on the FX Network, Angela Ray is an actress, author, spoken word artist and award-winning speaker. A few of her other television credits include Robbie on Comedy Central, The Resident, Insatiable and Queen Sugar. She is best known as “Carol”, the shady landlord on Tyler Perry’s Love thy Neighbor. A few of her film credits include Keeping up with the Joneses with Zach Galifianakis, and Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Angela got her start performing in theatre. She made her professional debut at the National Black Theatre Festival where she starred in the play Blues for two consecutive biennials. Later she stepped behind the scenes directing and writing in theatre. Her first play, Aluta Continua, was presented to the University of North Carolina as a part of its Bicentennial Celebration and was based on actual events. She was nominated as best supporting actress in a comedy play for her role in The Dance on Widow’s Row by the Triangle Theatre Awards. She was also named an Emerging Artist in Drama by the Durham Arts Council.
An education advocate, Angela has also taught acting, speaking, and writing. She began as an undergraduate teaching assistant in Public Speaking with a student at UNC. She later taught drama for the Upward Bound Program at UNC, the Southeast School of the Arts, Walltown Children’s Theatre, and Spirithouse. She taught creative writing and acting for nine years for Duke Youth Programs as a part of the university’s continuing education program. Currently Angela coaches actors one on one.
Moriah Swick
Improvisation, Acting (ages 4-6)
Moriah is a North Carolina native who’s passions have always been art, community, and education. She was raised just west of Chapel Hill, NC on a 20+ acre oasis of forests, streams, fruit trees, animals, and flower gardens. She spent most of her childhood outdoors, building forts in the woods, pretending to be a fairy, chasing butterflies, and painting anything she could find. Her earliest creative influence was a book of Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are” which you will see as the mural backdrop for her class Acting Up A Story. Moriah holds a PhD in Sociology and currently teaches part-time at Living Arts College where she educates students pursuing degrees in Filmmaking, Animation, Music Production, Interactive Media, and Game Design. She also has over 15 years of experience with school-age children as a camp director, afterschool director, art instructor, and she holds seats on several non-profit boards in our community. Moriah’ son Sidney, a five-year-old Actor, looks forward to engaging your child in imaginative play during class as well.
Improvisation, Acting (ages 4-6)
Moriah is a North Carolina native who’s passions have always been art, community, and education. She was raised just west of Chapel Hill, NC on a 20+ acre oasis of forests, streams, fruit trees, animals, and flower gardens. She spent most of her childhood outdoors, building forts in the woods, pretending to be a fairy, chasing butterflies, and painting anything she could find. Her earliest creative influence was a book of Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are” which you will see as the mural backdrop for her class Acting Up A Story. Moriah holds a PhD in Sociology and currently teaches part-time at Living Arts College where she educates students pursuing degrees in Filmmaking, Animation, Music Production, Interactive Media, and Game Design. She also has over 15 years of experience with school-age children as a camp director, afterschool director, art instructor, and she holds seats on several non-profit boards in our community. Moriah’ son Sidney, a five-year-old Actor, looks forward to engaging your child in imaginative play during class as well.
Eka Ebong
WT3T Acting, Improvisation, Playwriting
Eka is from Harrisburg, North Carolina. She is an Electrical Engineering major at Duke University. She has been acting since she was a young girl, and has been involved in local productions from Atlanta to Durham, including In The Heights at Duke University. Eka is doing double duty as an instructor in WTown's music program teaching piano.
WT3T Acting, Improvisation, Playwriting
Eka is from Harrisburg, North Carolina. She is an Electrical Engineering major at Duke University. She has been acting since she was a young girl, and has been involved in local productions from Atlanta to Durham, including In The Heights at Duke University. Eka is doing double duty as an instructor in WTown's music program teaching piano.