Master Teachers

Here you will find the bios and pics of the Master Teachers who have taught with EVOLVE Diaspora since it’s inception.

Evolve Intimate Moment with the Masters May 2017

Nadia Dieudonné is a talented choreographer, dancer and teacher who began dancing at an early age. By the age of 12 Nadia was performing with well known Haitian folk singer and community activist Mrs. Myriam Dorisme. Nadia's innate talent as a Haitian dancer grew stronger in 1990, as she began to travel back to her homeland to research and study the origins, purposes of Haitian dance and its connections to Africa. Today, after more than 28 years of dancing and performing, Nadia is known as one of the best Banda dancer outside of Haiti. Her expertise comes out of her diligent study of the folkloric heritage of Haitian dance. She honed her skills by attending several Lakous (communities that preserve and practice specific Vodou ceremonies) in the countryside and in reputable dance schools with esteemed dancers/teachers in Port-au- Prince and New York. For more than 12 years Nadia has been fortunate to have been mentored by Haitian dance icon Jean-León Destiné and worked alongside him as an assistant teacher.

As part of her commitment to preserve her culture, Nadia founded in 1994, Nadia Dieudonné & Feet of Rhythm, a Haitian dance company where she creates, develops and fuses the traditional Vodou dances with her unique style. In 1995, Nadia also found it necessary to share and teach young Haitian-American youth who are not aware nor exposed to the vibrant culture of Haiti by creating Feet of Rhythm kids cultural program and Dance Company. Since its founding she has diligently extended her services to underserved youths within the public schools, community based organizations, and daycare centers throughout the Tri state. In recognition of her work she has been awarded by Council Member Jummane Williams with a NYC Proclamation for her commitment to the youths (May,2014). Nadia has conducted adult master classes at many prestigious institutions such as New York University-NYC, City College-San Francisco, State University-San Francisco, Lincoln Center-NYC, Jacobs Pillow-MA (assistant to Jean-León Destiné), Lincoln Center Mid Summer Night Swing- NYC, The Katherine Dunham Dance Institute-NYC and Alvin Ailey NYC (as a substitute instructor). Presently, Nadia Dieudonné is a certified teacher for the New York City Department of Education and has a MA in Dance Education from New York University; MA in TESOL from Grand Canon University.

As a performing artist Nadia has also danced with many acclaimed dance companies and musical bands that preserve various cultures from the African Diaspora such as Dinizulu African dancers, drummers and singers La Troupe Makandal, Charles Moore Dance Theater; Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Dance Ensemble, Forces of Nature, Tabou Combo; Rara Machine, Bolou Valcourt & Azor to name a few. In 1994, she was one of the principaldancers in the Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour. Nadia’s vocation has allowed her to be commissioned to perform throughout the US and abroad: Canada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Holland, Japan and Trinidad.

Evolve Intimate Moments with the Master Series February 2017

Peniel Guerrier began his formal dance training in 1987. Hervé Maxi, the most prestigious teacher in Haiti, was impressed with his dancing and invited Peniel to study in his school. Subsequently Peniel danced with the National Dance Theatre for 8 years and toured all over the world: Venezuela, Paris, Hungary, Japan, Montreal, Germany, Santo Domingo, and the United States. During this time he also toured with the Baccoulou Dance Company.

Peniel pursued his studies at Ecole Nationale des Arts (ENARTS) and researched Haitian folkloric traditions at Lakou Soukrie, Danache, Lakou Souvenance, and Badjo. While in Haiti, Peniel taught at the National Dance Theatre of Haiti and ENARTS. He moved to the United States and currently teaches three classes per week at Djoniba Dance and Drum Center in New York City. He also teaches at Connecticut Ballet Center, Stamford, CT; Wellesley College, Boston, MA; and Dance Forum Studio, NYC. He is a guest artist at Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, Greenfield Community College, Amherst College, and Brown University. He is also Artistic Director of the Tamboulà Dance Company.

Evolve Communities 2018

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sulé-Joel Adams is a talented performing artist, educator, and producer trained in African, Modern, and Contemporary dance styles. He received his B.S. in Community Arts Management from SUNY, Empire State College and MA in Leadership in the Arts and Entertainment Industries from NYIT. Sulé has studied dance extensively to expand his craft under the leadership of many widely renowned and highly-esteemed individuals; Abdoulaye Camara, Marie Basse, Ronald K. Brown, Assane Konte, Richard Gonzalez, Mariama Curry, and Leo Jones to name a few.

A former company member of Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company and the first African American to tour with the electrifying all male South African dance company Soweto Street Beat, Sulé’s accomplishments also include becoming a principal dancer with recognition in several musicals which include his choreography – an original musical A Wife For Itsai (M.C. Benjamin), A Song Not New, My Dreams Are, Just A Winter Night, Mirror- Mirror, In Celebration (L. Jones), We’ve Come This Far By Faith (T. Hayes), and Raisin (the musical adaptation of the play A Raisin in the Sun). He was a featured dancer in the Warner Brothers motion picture Dark Angel. In addition to performing, Sulé directed and wrote the script for N’Kafu Traditional African Dance Company’s production Kumba Amdé – Kumba Amundé. His teaching and producing credentials include work throughout the New Orleans Public School System, Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, and The Leadership Program, and other community based organizations. Elected by his mentor Abdoulaye Camara, Sulé became the Artistic Director of Allahbatu African Dance and Drum Company (2000-2002) where he taught open community classes,
directed and choreographed its second annual production of Allabatu.

Working by his motto, “Dance is always a work through spirit,” Sulé is the Founding Executive Producer of Whole Heart Productions and Assistant Director for Goddard Riverside Community Center’s Beacon Program. He continues to share and pave a way for dreamers and their dreams producing momentous work, teaching, and performing.