Ethel Annette Calhoun – Artist l Dancer l Personal trainer“Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances †(Maya Angelou.) My name is Ethel A. Calhoun. I was born in the Bronx where my love for the arts was nurtured. First as a student of music and ballet in a local school called “Bronx House†and later as a singer in various choirs and bands in the Bronx. My college years are where my love for African Dance was nurtured at the first black college “Lincoln University†in Pennsylvania. That was the beginning of a dance movement that would develop into a true love and passion for the arts. African Dance captured me and would not let me go. My first teacher in New York was Djoniba Mouflet and I danced in his company for approximately 3 years. Later I was asked by master drummer Olukeshe Wiles, to dance with Maimouna Keita Dance Company. Soon I would be searching for dance experiences that would set me apart from other experiences and I danced with “Forces of Nature,†director, Abdel Salaam. Then I saw a powerful woman dance across the floor and I soon became a part of her company “Harambe.†My journey was met with other art forms. Theatre and music also became a part of my experience and I toured and performed in various gospel groups in various countries along with a variety of local plays in New York City.
My work in the community was both artistic and therapeutic. In the village of Harlem, I worked with a group called Nah We Yeone which assists Africans from Sierra Leone and other African countries with immigration. I taught African dance to children from Sierra Leone who were traumatized by war or the stressors of American culture. A certified Personal Trainer and creative arts therapist, I’ve also worked with African women with stress reduction through exercise and dance. I’ve also taught exercise and dance classes to women who suffer with breast cancer and breast cancer recovery, as well as adolescents in a “Blue Nile Rights of Passage†program. A teaching artist at Alvin Ailey, I teach African Dance for the Arts- In -Education Program and I am a Guidance Counselor and instructor in the summer for “ Ailey Camp.†Dance can empower individuals and communities. It is a force that can unite, uplift, teach, build communities, inspire, and heal. It has been my honor to preserve and share the traditions of dance to encourage inter-racial cooperation, cross cultural understanding and an overall love for this fascinating, spiritual art form. “I love what I do and I do it with passionâ€
"Crowns"
I would love to invite you to a play that I will be performing in. The play is a musical about women and their hats or crowns. A good time will be had by all who attend. Ethel
Crowns
Hey everybody! Come and check out the show. I am sure you will enjoy it. Love, Ethel
