Photo by Antoine TempÈ

Christal Brown (choreographer, educator, performer, writer, activist) is a native of Kinston, North Carolina and received her BFA in dance and minor in Business from the University of NC at Greensboro.  Upon graduation, Brown went on to tour nationally with Chuck Davis' African-American Dance Ensemble and internationally with Andrea E. Woods/Souloworks.  Immediately following those experiences Brown performed with and managed Gesel Mason Performance Projects while apprenticing with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in Takoma Park, MD. Upon relocating to New York Brown apprenticed with the Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company before finding a home with Urban Bush Women; where she spent three seasons as a principal performer, community specialist and apprentice program coordinator.  Aside from performing Brown is the Founding Artistic Director of INSPIRIT (formerly Women @ Work) a performance ensemble and educational conglomerate dedicated to  bringing female choreographers together to collaborate and show new work, expanding the views of women of all ages, and being a constant source of inspiration to its audience as well as members.  Founded in 2000 INSPIRIT has been honored to show work at Aaron Davis Hall, St. Marks Church, Joyce Soho, The Lincoln Theater of Washington, DC, and various other venues across the country.  Combining her athleticism, creativity, and love for people, and knack for teaching Brown continues to teach and create works that redefine the art of dance and the structure of the field. 

Toni Renee Johnson
Toni Renee Johnson is a native of Plainfield, New Jersey.  She is a freelance artist:  performer, choreographer, dance educator who holds a BS degree in Communications from Drexel University in Philadelphia and an MFA degree in Dance with honors from Florida State University.  She studied dance on scholarship at Drexel University and Florida State University, spent a summer at the Ailey School, earned a merit scholarship to Bates Dance Festival as well as apprenticed with Urban Bush Women  in 2006.  She has had her choreography commissioned at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Drexel University. Currently, Toni Renee is Artistic Director of her company:  BOLDE (Breath of Life Dance Experience) for which she creates socially conscious work to underscore the human experience.  Toni Renee performs with Blacksmith’s Daughter, under direction of Nia Love and is excited to be in her first season with INSPIRIT.

Beatrice Capote
Beatrice Capote, West New York, NJ, is a graduate from The North Carolina School of the Arts. She began her dance training at Amarylis American Dance Center in New Jersey.  Then she continued her training at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center Junior Division Program.  She has studied and performed works during her dance training by Camille Brown, Kevin Wynn, Milton Myers, Oliver Steele, Dianne Markham, Troy Powell, Ruth Barnes, Craig Patterson, Paul Matteson, Jenn Nugent, Ellen Commendador, and Denise Jefferson.  Ms. Capote is currently teaching in various after school programs and is delighted and blessed to have joined the company.

Alex Houston
Alexandra Joye Houston is a native of the Washington, D.C. Metro area.  She began her intense training as a dance major at Suitland High School for Visual and Performing Arts.  She is also a 2003 graduate of Spelman College and a 2006 graduate of University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s M.F.A. in Dance Performance.  This is Alexandra’s first season with INSPIRIT and is grateful to be working with such amazing women.

Chevon Stewart
Chevon Stewart is a dancer and teaching artist in the New York metropolitan area.  She received her formal training from Ballet Arts Studio in Beacon, NY and The Ailey School/ Junior division program. Chevon graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a B.A. in Dance and Psychology. While in New York she has had the opportunity to work with Urban Bush Women Apprentice program, Richard Rivera/Physual Dance Company, Keila Cordova Dances and Arthur Aviles Typical Dance Theater.  This is Chevon’s first season with INSPIRIT.

Pictures and Bios coming soon

Paloma McGregor - Associate Artistic Director

Krystal Butler
Laeticia Emmanuel
Tiffany Spearman
Carlita Ector
Adriane Medina (apprentice)
Jenny Boissiere (apprentice)
Ashley Suttlar Martin
Candace Thompson
Maxine Montilus (apprentice)
Tashara Gavins
Nancy Andrews (apprentice)