Rowe Academy has formed a partnership with Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble for its dance instruction.  Dance classes are taught by Danse4Nia's founder and artistic director, Antoinette Coward-Gilmore.

 

Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble, is a professional, multi-cultural contemporary modern dance company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Its mission is to educate, empower and create the next generation of well-rounded arts advocates and citizens by presenting exceptional dance works, collaborating with artists across genres and delivering high impact residencies.

The Danse4Nia Residency Program is an initiative designed to give quality dance training to organizations without a formal dance program.  The following are institutions that Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble has served/ is currently serving in a residency capacity:  Imhotep Institute Charter High School, Northwest Talent Center, The Philadelphia Center for Arts & Technology, Salem High School, Salem, NJ. & Faith In Action, Burlington, NJ, Greene Street Friends School, Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School & George Washington Carver Engineering & Science High School.

 

Antoinette M. Coward-Gilmore is a native of Philadelphia, PA., where she began her training in 1985 at Freedom Theatre under the direction of Patricia Scott Hobbs.  She has also trained at the Philadelphia Dance Company Training Program, Governor School of the Arts, Brenda Lee School of Dance & Franklin Learning Center under the direction of Faye Snow where she intensely learned the Horton Technique. Ms. Coward-Gilmore is a graduate of the University of the Arts & New York University Steinhardt School of Education where she earned a BFA & MA in Dance Education & Performance respectfully from both institutions. During her undergraduate & graduate tenure, she received various scholarships, was on the Dean’s List & received Outstanding Student Teacher & Excellence in Teaching Awards. Included in Ms. Coward-Gilmore’s long list of performing credits are: former company member of Leja Dance Theatre, Danco II, Founding Company Member of Eleone Dance Theatre, Forces of Nature Dance Company (NYC), Rod Rodgers Dance Company (NYC), Guest Appeared with Ballethinic Dance Company (Atlanta, GA.) and Guest Appeared with Melissa Vaughn formerly of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.  Through these companies, touring was extensive through the US & abroad.   As a member of Actor’s Equity, her theatre credits include: Freedom Repertory Theatre’s Black Nativity, Cooley High, Purlie & Lazurus Unstoned.  Moe Beasley’s Love Stories & Urban Erotica that played NYC famed theatres like the Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub, Don’t Tell Mama, Raw Space., Aaron Davis Hall & NJPAC. Her choreographic credits include: Freedom Theatre’s Alkynza Danz, Love Stories, Urban Erotica, Plays & Players, Camden Repertory Theatre, Cheyney Players, resident choreographer for the Prince Music Theatre’s Rainbow Company from2007- 2010 & countless other university programs. While living in New York, Ms. Coward-Gilmore became a state licensed dance educator/ teaching artist for New York City Board of Education & taught/ choreographed for prestigious institutions like Harlem School of the Arts.  After her stint in NYC, Ms. Coward-Gilmore directed the dance program at Norfolk State University where she also directed the Norfolk State Dance Theatre.  From 2004- present she has been on faculty at Coppin State University, University of the Arts, Temple University, Montgomery County Community College, Cheyney University.  Presently, she is adjunct professor of dance at Drexel University where she teaches Traditional West African Dance. Recognized as a mover & shaker in the Philadelphia Art Community, Ms. Coward-Gilmore is a registered teaching artist with PAEP, has sat on the grant panel for Philadelphia Cultural Fund, PA Council on the Arts Project Stream, presenter & lecturer for many Philadelphia School District Professional Development Seminars in Dance as well as master teacher for several dance conference spanning down the east coast.  As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Omega Chapter, Ms. Coward-Gilmore has dedicated her life to service and the arts.