Staff

Jeanna Askew Hawkins is originally from Virginia Beach, Va. She currently resides in Guilford County and works as a Program Consultant for the New Teacher Center. Jeanna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Elon University. She has been dancing since the age of 4 and began her formative training at Virginia Ballet Theatre in Norfolk, Va. While at Virginia Ballet Theatre she was a member of “First Pointe Players,” and an apprentice to the Company. Jeanna is also a graduate of the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, where she was a ballet major. Her performance roles include: “Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Coppelia”, “The Firebird”, and “Appalachian Spring.” Jeanna has also choreographed and danced in “The Fantasy and Adventure of Oz: A Dance Adaption of The Wiz,” and “It’s A Hard Knock Life: A Dance Adaptation of Annie.” While working in the school system, Jeanna choreographed, produced, and directed “Nutcracker, Jr” for the 3rd-5th grade students. She is excited to be at The Pointe! where she can combine two of her favorite things: dance and children.

Morgan Jones (Jamestown, NC) recently received her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography with a k-12 licensure in Dance Education and a minor in African American Studies from UNC-Greensboro. As an alumnus of the Pointe! Company & Technique Conservatory & Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, Morgan has trained in ballet, contemporary/modern, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, tap, & West African dance. Morgan has done shows with the Community Theater of Greensboro and the Barn Dinner Theater. She is also the dance teacher and dance team coach at Mount Tabor High School.

Lisa Evans has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She trained at Utah Regional Ballet and The Pointe Academy. She joined Odyssey Dance Theatre’s pre-professional program at the age of 13 and soon after joined their professional company. Lisa has performed all over the country and had the opportunity to tour in Europe. She has a passion for teaching, choreographing, and helping children learn to love dance. Lisa has taught, choreographed, and helped manage Dance Theatre International in San Jose, California. She was a summer guest artist at The Juilliard School in New York City. As well as been a judge for various dance competitions. Most recently she was running the ballet program at Move Dance in Salt Lake City and working with the competition teams at Studio 56.

Rachel Renee Rorie is currently 16 years old. She attends Penn Griffin School for the Arts in High Point, North Carolina. Rachel is a member of The Greensboro Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. where she serves as the current Teen Vice President. She is an Ambassador for NCCJ after attending Anytown in the summer of 2022. She has been dancing at The Pointe! since 2013 and has been a company member since 2017. Rachel has been in several of The Pointe’s productions, including, “Prideland” as Timon and most recently “Let My People Go” as Hotep. Her future endeavors in the arts is to attend college as a dance education major to pursue a career as a choreographer and educator.

Autumn Robinson (Greensboro, NC) began her formal dance education in North Carolina at a local studio. She then attended The Pointe! Company and Technique Conservatory and continued her training in Norfolk, VA at The Governor’s School for the Arts under Todd Rosenlieb. Autumn completed a residency with Richard Alston Dance Company where she was featured in the PBS documentary, Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants. Autumn is a recent graduate from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program where she was a recipient of an Ailey Artistic Scholarship. While at The Ailey School she has had the opportunity to work with choreographers Clifton Brown, Mark Caserta, Winston Dynamite Brown, Helen Simeneou, and Tina Bush. She also has performed in repertory by Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and Jose Limon. Autumn performed Festa Barroca during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2022 New York City Center Season this Winter. During the Summer of 2022, she participated and assisted in choreography in “Let My People Go,” the dance adaptation of The Prince of Egypt at the National Black Theater
Festival. Autumn graduated in May 2023 from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program as a double major in Dance, and Digital Technology and Emerging Media and is working towards a MPS in Integrated Marketing Communications. Autumn looks forward to furthering her career in the performing arts.

Khaliya Rae Muhammad is a student at Alabama State University, currently taking online classes this fall. She is professionally trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, modern, hip hop, majorette, and tumbling. She is a former Dancing Doll at Southern University and also had the pleasure of becoming a Sensational Stingette at Alabama State. She loves teaching new skills to people who love learning and choreographing new pieces that are challenging but not impossible for students who love the art of dance.

Erica McNeil POINTE! Office Manager, is an Apple certified elementary educator with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Aggie Academy. A native of Greensboro, NC, Erica has served children and families across NC, for over 14 years. Erica is a proud mother of two wonderful daughters, one of which, has been dancing with THE POINTE! since 2016. Erica believes that serving children and families is a calling that God has placed on her life and she is excited to be able to walk in her purpose here at THE POINTE! Company & Technique Conservatory.

Dr. Renita L. Webb (POINTE! Office Manager) is a native of Durham, NC. She wears many hats including: educator, minister, wife, mother, speaker, emcee, beauty queen, and mentor. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is an Educational Leadership Strategist. She helps leaders increase their authenticity, empower their "follow"ship, and make a greater impact. Dr. Renita is the Founder of The Refining Life, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Authoress of Stepmom: Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs (1st and 2nd Edition) and While You Are Sleeping. Dr. Webb has most recently become the Founder and Editor-in-chief of "Lead Like You Magazine".

Dr. Renita has been dancing and performing since the age of 2 when she started taking African dance and singing in the church choir. She has been formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and African dance. She is a former member of Collage Dance Company. She continues to perform today. She has recently been cast in the CTG productions of "Memphis" and Dreamgirls. The Elise Jonell production of "Heavenly Blues and Jumpin' Jazz" . She has also been a part of the local and National Black Theater Festival casts of The Pointe Company and Technique Conservatory's (in association with Elise Jonell) Prideland (and Let My People Go. She is proud to be the mother of 2 POINTE! Performers who are following her performance footsteps.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS

Kaitlyn Davis

Kennedy O'Neal

Reign Webb

Voice for the Actor Instructional Team

Albany P Jones is an experienced touring professional! She truly enjoys pouring into the youth and teaching them about careers behind the scenes. Upon receiving her BFA in Technical Theatre from Barry University in Miami Shores she began touring and working as a freelance scenic carpenter! She has worked with: Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, The Price is Right Live, Miss Lauryn Hill, Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol Live, Disney on Broadway and several other production companies and artists. After hosting a workshop about touring at the pointe studio of dance - Albany realized that she truly wanted to do more with the pointe! Between tours she has volunteered for Adaptations, Pride land, and Let my People Go! She is excited to work with Mrs. Gina Tate.

Albany will primarily teach about backstage and tour etiquette and safety. Her goal is to ensure that everyone can and will thrive in professional settings! Albany will also be helping to develop the audition process and will help young artist with deciphering contracts and developing marketing skills.

Curtis Moore is an educator, a vocalist, a musician, an actor, and an advocate for self expression through the arts.

A native of Greensboro, NC, Curtis studied Choral Music Education at Appalachian State University, and has been teaching Choral and Instrumental Music at Uwharrie Charter Academy in Asheboro, NC for 7 years. Music has been a foundational part of Curtis' life, he started playing the violin at the age of 5 and hasn't put it down since. Curtis started singing in choirs at the age of 14, and has since gone on to perform in many different settings as both a vocalist and instrumentalist including musicals at the Starr Theatre in Greensboro, singing backup for gospel artist Fred Hammond, and playing in an Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

His passion and mission in life is to spread his love of music to the next generation, and to help them find their voices and realize their potential.

Jamila Curry is a native of Greensboro, NC. She received her BFA in Professional Theatre from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Local credits include The F Word, (Greensboro Fringe Festival) Sins of a Good Wife, (Bennett College) Art of Murder, Groovin, and Black Nativity, (The Barn Dinner Theatre) Crowns, (Open Space Theater) and Mad at Miles, (Triad Stage Cabaret). Jamila worked for Theatre IV of Virginia Rep in Richmond, VA from 2010 until 2014 where she toured in ten children’s theater productions around the country. She’s worked for Adaire Theatre in Pulaski, VA where she performed as Narrator in their original production, Quite Courage. Jamila appeared in Found Space Theatre’s productions of The Apartment Complex (Alfreida) by William Inge, and Black and Blue Boys/Broken Men (Mike) by Dale Orlandersmith. Jamila performed in the virtual reading of Shackles of Liberty (Cary Playwrights Forum’s Project Chrysalis 2.0) Jamila appeared in productions He&She (Anne) by Rachel Crothers, The Second Shepherd’s Play (Gill/Jeslyn) by The Wakefield Master, adapted by Paul Sapp and The Verge (Adelaide). She directed The Starter &Undertow by Eulalie Spence and Hearts by Alice Gerstenberg (Brave New Classics).

Jeannine DuMond (Vocal Coach) is the music specialist at Northern Guilford Elementary and an Elementary Music Lead Teacher with Guilford County Schools. She is Chair-Elect for the North Carolina Music Educators Association Elementary Board. She received her undergraduate degree in Music Education and her Masters of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is National Board Certified, Orff-Schulwerk Level III Certified, and World Music Drumming Level II Certified. She has been a Vocal Coach and Music Director with The Community Theater of Greensboro since 2009 and the Music Director for the award-winning CenterStage Performance Group since 2015. She is an Elementary Choral Clinician for All-County Choruses in North Carolina.

Jordan Lee is a 2X GRAMMY nominated and CMA Give A Note Awarded modern music educator dedicated to nurturing open-minded individuals through music. He holds degrees in Music Education and Adult Education and has directed diverse musical programs and ensembles. Currently, he spearheads a groundbreaking music arts program at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, partnering with Notes for Notes to offer free music recording and production education. Additionally, he founded the annual "A Celebration of Black Excellence Festival," which now in its 7th year, goes by ACE Spirit Week. This event invites all to celebrate unity and cultural arts appreciation through collaborative community experiences.

Linwood Morris is lighting designer and technician. He has over 15 years of experience. He is involved in all aspects of lighting from conception to production. This graduate of Guilford College has been the lighting designer for shows such as: A Raisin in the Sun, Flying West, Black Nativity, and more.

Robin T. Rich-McGhie is a native of Newark, NJ who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is an Acting Instructor at The POINTE! Studio of Dance. She received her artistic training at The Newark Community Center of the Arts and she trained as a dancer with Garden State Ballet, Alfred Gallman (Gallman Newark Dance Theatre), Phil Black Dance Studio and City Arts African Dance however; acting and the stage is her first love. Performing since age 7, she is an accomplished Singer, Actress, Director and Producer.

She has directed several stage productions in the Triad at The Gallery Players, Open Space Café Theatre, Stained Glass Playhouse, Kernersville Little Theatre, City Arts and with her company Elise Jonell Performance Ensemble. She has directed many shows including but not limited to A Raisin in the Sun, The Colored Museum, 12 Angry Men, Black Mama Monologues, Crowns, Guys & Dolls, Steal Away, For Colored Girls and created several theatrical ballets in conjunction with Gina Tate.

Robin is the CEO & Artistic Director of Elise Jonell Management, Talent Agency and Performance Ensemble.

Toni Shaw is a Photographer and Fine Art painter from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is determined to document the lives of families that cross her path.

She is the principal photographer and owner of Shaw Photography Group. Toni has been engrossed in art ever since she was a young child. Her resume includes work published on the national stage in the photographic, advertising and graphic design industries. She has always had a strong passion for taking photographs, and specializes in dance portraits, weddings, as well as many other genres of photography.

Toni Shaw is a contemporary photographer, who has gained both critical and commercial recognition for her unique and intense colorful photographs. She is a free spirit but also an eclectic soul and this can be seen through her work. It is through these ambiguous and eclectic photographs that Shaw has developed a distinct signature style.

GUEST ARTISTS

Dasia Amos is a Senior at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro majoring in dance with a minor in musical theater. Dasia has been dancing and acting since the age of three, where the majority of her training took place at THE POINTE! Technique and Conservatory. Dasia is technically trained in classical and contemporary ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, contemporary, African, lyrical, and tumbling. Recently she has been a part of the ensemble for "MJ: The Musical" on Broadway. Since being at UNCG, she has been able to grow technically and artistically, and increase her connections involving theater. With her years of training, Dasia has had the opportunity to study and receive full scholarships to some of the most prestigious schools in the country including: Alvin Ailey, (NY,NY), Debbie Allen Dance Academy, (LA,CA), Dance Theatre of Harlem, (NY), Commercial Dance Intensive, (CA), and (UNCSA, Winston Salem) for example! She has also had the opportunity to work with some impressive names in the industry, such as Carmit Bachar. An American singer, best known for her membership in the girl group “ The Pussycat Dolls”. Dasia danced in one of her most recent music videos “Questions” , a cover of one of Chris Brown’s popular songs. Dasia’s long term goals are to be recognized as a triple threat in both the Commercial and Broadway industry and moving her way into touring, television, and modeling.

Avilon Trust Tate is a 17 year old Senior at Grimsley High School. Avi, (as his friends and family call him) is an A/B honor roll student and is member of Grimsley's Honors Choir, "Code Blue" and Theatre Troup as well as a Track member for his school team. Avi has been dancing since he was 18 months and is a Company Member at THE POINTE! Studio of Dance. He is technically trained in classical and contemporary ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, African, lyrical, hip-hop and tumbling. He is also an actor who has been under the tutelage of Robin Rich McGhie of Elise Jonell performance ensemble for many years and has performed with iTheatrics in NY and numerous lead roles with Community Theatre of Greensboro. With his years of training, Avilon has had the opportunity to study and receive full ride scholarships at some of the most prestigious schools in the country including: Alvin Ailey, (NY, NY), Dance Theatre of Harlem, (NY), iteatrics, (NY), Charlotte Ballet, (Charlotte), Commercial Dance Intensive, (UNCSA Winston-Salem) to name a few! Avilon is also represented by Kids Unlimited Talent Agency in Raleigh, NC. Avilon's long term goal is to be featured as a triple threat on "Broadway", (Wicked is his favorite) and would welcome the opportunity to direct, edit and act in his own film, (check out his "Pride Land" video on FB)! When there is spare time, he enjoys playing with his little brother Aviel and spending quality time with his family at home.

Jose Rondon Jr. has over ten years of experience as a teaching artist, administrator, and choreographer. A proud member of Actors Equity Association and the Freddie G Class of 2015, Jose thrives on organization, creativity and all forms of expression. As a teaching artist, Jose has taught in New York City and North Carolina where he has served as the Assistant Director of The Pointe! Studio of Dance and currently as the Conservatory Manager at North Carolina Theatre. His work has been featured at the National Black Theatre Festival and has won awards at the Junior Theatre Festival. As an administrator, Jose has worked with the Hayes Taylor YMCA and Samuel French, Inc. Former students have gone on to perform professionally and in regional theatres, which include Hamilton: An American Musical, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Favorite choreography credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, The Lion King Experience, Hairspray Jr. (Community Theatre of Greensboro). Favorite devising credits include It’s A Hard Knock Life and Pride Land (The Pointe! Studio of Dance). Favorite performing credits include Mary Poppins (Neleus/ensemble) and Spamalot (North Carolina Theatre). Jose also thrives in the theatre world where he serves as the Manager of NC Theatre Conservatory and strongly believes that “everything happens for a reason.”

Kayshon Hawkins is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher from Henderson, North Carolina. He has been teaching dance for four years, teaching all ages, specializing in Hip-Hop. Kayshon has worked with various local artists throughout North Carolina including celebrities such as Tank and Lyfe Jennings. He also graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor's in May 2018, with a profession in Audio & Sound.

Asyia Cutts (Charlotte, NC) is a BFA Dance Major with a concentration in performance and choreography at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with anticipated graduation in May 2022. She began her dance training with Dance Productions in Charlotte, NC. She then migrated to Havilah Dance Company in Matthews, NC. Throughout the years she has worked with many choreographers. In 2021 she created her own work titled I am, She is, We are… Enough.

Michael Job brings over 25 years of professional experience as a dancer, ballet teacher and choreographer to the Greensboro area. Michael was a Principal Dancer with the Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and the Dallas Ballet. Michael also danced with the Hubbard Street Dance Company, The Dutch National Ballet, Houston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.As Principal Dancer, Michael performed a diverse classical and contemporary repertoire including principal roles in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Les Sylphides, La Sylphide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda, Le Sacre Du Pretemps, Etudes, Napoli, Concerto Barocco, Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, Square Dance, Scotch Symphony, Allegro Brilliante, Pas De Dix, Bourree Fantasque, La Sonambula, etc.

Following his performing career, Michael served as a faculty instructor at The Juilliard School, STEPS on Broadway, The Washington School of Ballet, and Southwest Ballet Center. Michael also served as Ballet Master of The Dayton Ballet as well as Director of The Dayton Ballet School and Dayton Ballet II.
As a guest instructor and choreographer, Michael taught and staged classics and original works for the University of Oklahoma, Wright State University, The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Southwest Ballet Center, University of Northern Colorado, University of Southwest Louisiana, The David Taylor Dance Company and the Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive.

Michael owes his career and his enduring love for ballet to his teachers, Joan Kunsch, Bill Martin Viscount, Ann Burton, Joyce Cuoco, Nicolas Petrov, Frederick Franklin, Edward Caton, James Clouser, Nicolas and Ann Polajenko, Ben Stevenson, Rudi Van Dantzig, Robert Joffrey, Maria Grande, Sally Bliss, Finis Jhung, George Skibine, Marjorie Tallchief, Maria Tallchief, Robert Barnett, Larry Long, Anna Marie Holmes, Bruce Marks and Benjamin Harkarvy.

J. Andrew Speas is a native of Winston-Salem, NC and a senior in the BFA Acting program and Minor in Musical. He studied at the UNCSA in the Dr. Marilyn Taylor voice studio. He is alumni of the NC Black Repertory Teen Theater Ensemble where he studied under Mabel Robinson. Credits include: Regional Theater: They That Sit in Darkness (Triad Stage), On the Brink of Silence (Triad Stage), A Christmas Carol (Triad Stage), Man of La Mancha (Triad Stage), Jelly's Last Jam (National Black Theater Festival), Mabel Robinson’s The Glory of Gospel (NC Black Repertory Company, Peppercorn Theater: Flor to Somewhere, Proceed Moon, The Tourist Trap (Peppercorn Theater), UNCG Theater: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Heathers, Hair, Pippin, The Tempest. Opera Credits: The Italian Straw Hat (UNC-SA), The Italian Girl in Algiers (Piedmont Opera). Film: Sad Clown, a Kemari Bryant Film. He is an Actors Equity Membership Candidate (EMC)

The Pointe! Staff

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS

Voice for the Actor Instructional Team

GUEST ARTISTS