About
Instructors
Lenier Ward-Davis, M.S. Ed
Founder/ Artistic Director
Over the past thirty years, Lenier Ward-Davis has worked in various capacities as an educator. Ms. Davis initiale began her career as a Special Education Teacher with New York Board of Education. In 1989 she received her Masters Degree in Special Education from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Relocating to the Maryland area, Ms. Davis worked as a Special Education Teacher in the Prince George's County Public School system.
Having studied ballet, jazz, modern and African Dance from the age of 8 with Bernice Johnson Studio in Queens, New York and continued training throughout her college years, Ms. Davis was equipped to teach others.
In 2003 Ms. Davis founded Edurama, an educational performing arts company which offers Music and Movement, Storytelling, Visual Arts, Drama in Literacy, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Zumba for Kids, Liturgical classes to schools, Child care centers, after-care programs, and camps. For the past 13 years, Edurama has presented spring recitals to highlight the accomplishment of the students.
In 2018 Ms. Davis published a Children's book entitled "NeNe and Zee." "NeNe and Zee" is inspired by the Author's granddaughter, Zahira, who thinks her grandmother should retire. This prompted a réflection of memories and activities that a grandmother and granddaughter can still engage in. This book explores a close relationship and bond between grandmother and granddaughter. "NeNe and Zee" is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Walmart online.
JALEN WILHITE
Instructor
Jalen Wilhite is a hip hop choreographer. He is a theater and dance double major at the University of Maryland and has choreographed for many artists around the DMV area while running his business, Jalenography, LLC.
BRANDI CHAMPION
Product Manager
Brandi Champion is an educator, mentor and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Curly Girly, a “Self-love” Brand that celebrates and promotes natural hair. She loves empowering the youth by teaching the history behind our cultural uniqueness.
NYLA BLACKNELL
INSTRUCTOR
With more than a decade of experience as a DVIDA®-certified ballroom dance instructor, Nyla Blacknell’s dance roots run deep. She showed a unique talent and passion for the art of dance at a young age, and began technical training in modern, jazz and contemporary at the age of 7, building a solid foundation for her first love, hip hop. At the age of 18, she discovered the fabulous world of ballroom dancing, and immediately focused her training to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballroom dancer and instructor. In 2003, she became a certified instructor at Fred Astaire, which maintains the highest standards of excellence through its National Dance Board.
In addition to her solid technical foundation and more than 20 years of dance experience, Nyla brings her dynamic, creative and supportive character to her classes. Her encouraging nature, attention to detail and ability to explain technical nuances in a way that anyone can understand has made her a preferred instructor among the students she teaches. Nyla specializes in American Smooth and Rhythm, and also offers instruction in other social and club styles, including salsa and hip-hop.
MCKENZIE FOWLER
INSTRUCTOR
McKenzie began dancing at age 3 and has not stopped since. The dance schools at which she trained include but are not limited to Ballet Theater of Maryland, Dance Institute of Washington, Joy of Motion, and Creative Dance Center. McKenzie’s instructional dance career began at Creative Dance Center in Washington, DC when she was 16 years old. She continued teaching through college in Charlottesville, Virginia at Wilson School of Dance.
After Graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor’s Degree in French, McKenzie went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Bowie State University in Mental Health Counseling. She currently works full time for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. Although she provides concrete solutions to adults in her career, she enjoys creatively guiding children with Edurama.
TINA HARRIS
INSTRUCTOR
Tina Harris has overall 15+ years in the administrative field which includes government and private industry. Tina has excellent client/customer service and computer skills.
As Office Manager of Edurama, Tina takes care of the overall duties to ensure that Edurama runs smoothly and efficiently. She creates flyers, certificates for recitals and the recital programs.
In addition, she also owns Harris Concierge a concierge service that helps people that don't have time to get everyday tasks completed.
