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Dianne Adkins-Forte
Dianne began dance training at the age of six at the June Claire School of Dance in West Hempstead, New York, where she trained in ballet, acrobatics, jazz and modern. She excelled in acrobatics and quickly became a member of their company as an acrobatics soloist. Dianne also excelled in track and field and as a high school senior was New York State Champion, State record holder and ranked third in the nation in the 55m dash. Dianne was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications. In 2000, she returned to her dance roots and became a company member of Dance for Joy Ministries Ballet Company. It was several years later, however, when she discovered her true passion for dance after being introduced to West African dance classes and studying dances of the African Diaspora. Through this style of dance, Dianne is able to bend the grace, rhythmic and expressive elements of her ballet, jazz and modern dance training with the athleticism, power and stamina she has sustained from her training as a sprinter. Presently, she is a member of D’joule African Dance and Drum Company and she continues to hone her modern and ballet techniques by taking intensive classes with Obediah Wright. She has been a fan of Forces of Nature Dance Theatre for many years and is honored to have the opportunity to learn more and further develop her dancing skills under the tutelage of Abdel Salaam.
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Artrese Reid
Artrese is a Harlem native who began dancing at the age of 3. She received her dance training from the Harlem Hospital Dance Clinic, Uptown Dance Academy, and the LaRocque Bey School of Dance. She has studied Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, and African Dance. Artrese is a recent graduate from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a degree in Business Finance. She was also a member of her school’s Dance Ensemble and Orchesis Dance Company. Upon Artrese’s return to New York City in May 2010, she began dancing with Forces of Nature. Artrese hopes to continue to learn and grow as a dancer and continue performing with Forces of Nature.
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Christopher Semper
Christopher was born in Philadelphia and raised partially in Trinidad and New York City, 23 year-old Christopher Semper has been dancing for 6 years. He started his dance training as a senior at John Dewey High School under the supervision of John Michael Goring, where he learned the fundamentals of dance. He has studied Modern, Afro-Caribbean and ballet techniques. He has toured to Trinidad and Barbados for performances/workshops. He has also danced works by Eleo Pomare, Fred Benjamin, Obediah Wright and Makeda Thomas. He is a member of both The Something Positive and Phyllis Rose dance companies.
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Jerijah West
Jerijah started his professional dance career at the age of 8years old as member of Batoto Yetu. As the result of being a principal dancer for the company, he was giving the opportunity to both travel and perform in Africa, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. He has also performed at the world famous Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, Jacobs Pillow, Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall twice. His two career highlights include performing off Broadway at the New Victory Theater and for Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary along side the late Whitney Houston, Usher, and Mya. Jerijah currently is an apprentice under Forces of Nature Dance Theater and also is the rehearsal director for Batoto Yetu. His choreography will be featured in the Batoto Yetu’s upcoming production.
