I am an artistic professional who has been consistently praised by pioneers such as Joan Myers- Brown of Philadanco, Kim Bears-Bailey of the University of the Arts, and countless others for my directi... ng, teaching, and choreographic abilities. As the current Artistic Director of the Movement Performing Arts Conservatory and former Director of the Contemporary Dance Department at String Theory School, I implement sound emphasis on building codified dance technique and theoretical thought that can be suggested in all art forms. I had inclusivity training while in my graduate studies at Temple University. I have used inclusive practices to ensure growth within urban K-12th school districts and institutions geared towards affording artistic opportunities for inner-city families. I have the experience of being sympathetic towards dancers asking to be addressed with pronouns and facilitating environments of acceptance amongst students with IEPs. read more

Mr. Ali M. Willingham is a native of New Jersey. He attended Creative Arts High School in Camden, New Jersey as a classical vocal Major. He is a graduate of the University of the Arts having obtained ... his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a graduate of Temple University with his Master’s in Fine Arts in Dance. Ali is a former Adjunct Professor of Dance at Temple University and former Director of the Contemporary Dance Department at String Theory School in Philadelphia, PA. He is also the former Artistic Director of Philadanco III Juniors at Philadanco, Philadelphia’s Modern Dance Company under the direction of Joan Myers-Brown. He was a student at Alvin Ailey and a full scholarship recipient at the Joffrey Ballet in 2008. He also attended the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s summer intensive as a Full Scholarship Recipient in 2011 and 2012, where he was also awarded the Modern Dance Award and was selected as the 1st Student Choreographer for DTH’s Summer Program. Ali was a participant in the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference’s Liturgical Showcase where he showcased his premier piece, “A Fatherless Testimony” (2010) with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Michael Jackson Jr.read more