Francesca Harper

		Company Members Francesca Harper, Mary Carter, Matthew Chiu, Daniel Harder, Julius Hollingsworth, Eriko Iisaku, Geneva Jenkins, Shayla Vie Jenkins, Josh Johnson, Willy Laury, Krisha Marcano, Kelly Marsh, Clement Mensah, Major Nesby, Dominique Rosales, Karine Plantadit, Jamal Story, Michael Thomas, Hattie Mae Williams, and Stephanie Williams.
		Francesca Harper (Artistic Director), dancer, choreographer and singer, was raised in New York City, where she studied at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet School and The Ailey® School. After performing with the Dance Theater of Harlem, she danced as a principal in William Forsythe's Ballet Frankfurt from 1994-1999. Since returning to the U.S., Francesca has performed in several Broadway productions. In 2000-2002, she was a featured performer in Fosse. In January 2004, Ms. Harper completed a tour with The Producers. As part of the 2004 Lincoln Center Summer Festival, Francesca performed in another Susan Stroman project -- The Frogs. Currently Francesca can be seen at the Broadway Theater in the new musical The Color Purple. Her choreographic career began while still in Germany, where Ms. Harper choreographed a full evening for the Holland Dance Festival. She has since choreographed two works for Ailey II, and dances for The Ailey School’s Spring Concerts in 2001 and 2002. Her choreographic work Apex received its world premiere in December 2002 as part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 44th season performances at New York's City Center. In April 2004, Ms. Harper set a new work on Tanz Graz that premiered at the Graz Opera House in Austria. Ms. Harper's work, fusing dance, theater and video, was first seen in 50 minutes with Harriet and Phillis, a collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Margo Jefferson and composer Paul Miller a.k.a. Dj Spooky, performed in 2000 at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Ms. Harper premiered The Fragile Stone Theory at the 2002 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. The piece, created and performed by Ms. Harper, synthesized dance, text, music and video in what has been described as a "conceptual pop concert."
		Mary Carter grew up in St. Louis, MO where she began her formal dance training at Dayspring School of the Arts and later in high school at Saint Louis Ballet as trainee in the company. She has participated in the ABT Summer intensive, Boston Ballet Summer Intensive, and the Ailey School Summer Intensive. After graduation, Mary moved to New York to attend the Ailey School on Fellowship in 2008. At the Ailey School she has performed works by Judith Jamison (Divining), and Francesca Harper (Documotion: One - Rave). A highlight during her studies at the Ailey School was performing in "The Ailey at the Apollo" night as a representative of the Ailey School in Francesca Harper’s piece. Mary is overjoyed and thankful to be joining the Francesca Harper Project. Ms. Carter has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Matthew Chiu was born in Ontario, Canada, and has trained at the National Ballet School of Canada, The Australian Ballet School and the Ailey School. It was his first summer at Ailey where Matthew was introduced to Francesca Harper, while performing in her Summer Sizzler piece. In addition to the Ailey School, Matthew’s passion for innovative dance forms, lead him to becoming a member of the Legendary House of Ninja. His broad spectrum of dance forms and styles help to bring a unique and well rounded dancer to the Francesca Harper Project. In addition to performing with the company, Matthew has helped to assist and choreograph on Francesca’s most recent projects on students of the Ailey School, and will be performing in upcoming projects, with the Francesca Harper Project. Mr. Chiu has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2008.
		Daniel Harder began dancing at Suitland High School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Maryland, performing at the Kennedy Center in several productions by Debbie Allen. Mr. Harder is a graduate of the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University BFA program, where he was awarded the Jerome Robbins/Layton Foundation scholarship. Daniel has worked with and performed works by Dwight Rhoden, Nacho Duato, Christopher Huggins, Francesca Harper, William Forsythe, Darrell Moultrie, and Camille A. Brown. In 2007, Mr. Harder had the opportunity to perform in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria during the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s 2006-2007 season at City Center. This past year, he participated in the Holland Dance Festival with The Ailey School, and as a member of the Francesca Harper Project. Daniel was also a cast member in the European tour of West Side Story, taking him to Germany, London, and Athens. Mr. Harder has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2008.
		Julius Hollingsworth is an actor, singer and artist. He is a recipient of two Ford Scholarships in Shakespearean drama and a graduate of Playwrights Horizons Theatre School Professional Program. He has worked with Risa Jarslow and Dancers, The Ken Rubenstein Dance Theatre with Judith Jamison in Romeo and Juliet and appeared at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Jane Comfort's Dance Opera Asphalt as Eddie The Preacher in 2001 and in Francesca Harper’s The Fragile Stone Theory in 2002. He appeared on Broadway in the Showtime T.V. production of The Me Nobody Knows as Clorox. Julius Hollingsworth co-starred as Chucky in the Emmy winning show To Be A Man. He is also the resident Dramaturg for his own production company Soul Mending Communications. "Let Go, Let God - Peace". Mr. Hollingsworth has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project from since 2005
		Eriko Iisaku (Osaka/Japan) began her dance training with her mother, Yoshimi Iisaku in Japan. She has studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Graham, Horton, and Hip Hop. She came to New York in 2006, and she is currently a Fellowship student at the Ailey School. She has had the opportunity to perform works choreographed by Iquail Shaheed, Francesca Harper, Earl Mosley, Edger Zendejas, Helen Pickett, and performed in Alvin Ailey's "Memoria" at New York City Center in 2007-2009. She has trained in summer programs at the Jacob's Pillow and the American Dance Festival. Ms. Iisaku has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Geneva Jenkins grew up in Canada on Vancouver Island. She spent two summers training at the Juilliard School, and then went on to attend the Alvin Ailey School. Geneva received a BA in Economics from Fordham University. As a freelance artist, Geneva has worked with Joe Laughlin, Wen Wei Wang, Sidra Bell, Earl Mosley, Leonides Arpon, Bridgiet Moore and Francesca Harper. For four years, Geneva was a member of Nathan Trice/ RITUALS Dance Theater and assisted Mr. Trice in company commissions and workshops. In 2007-08, Jenkins toured Italy as a cast member of Daniel Ezralow's show: "Why Be Extraordinary When You Can Be Yourself." Jenkins is in her second season as an artist in Donald Byrd's Spectrum Dance Theater. Ms. Jenkins has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Shayla-Vie Jenkins is a NYC based artist. Originally from New Jersey, she studied dance at the Alvin Ailey school and graduated with honors from their BFA program with Fordham University. She currently performs with The Francesca Harper Project, Yaa Samar Dance Theater, and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. In 2008 she choreographed and collaborated on a musical/dance adaptation of Simon Schama's 'Rough Crossings', which had it's debut at Harlem Stage's 'Up South International Book Festival'. Recently, Shayla-Vie presented her choreography in a collaborative performance with acclaimed singer/writer/actor, Daniel Beatty and composer, Wynne Bennett for a Ossie Davis&Ruby Dee benefit at Joe's Pub. In 2009 she was named one of Dance Magazine's "On The Rise" performers. Ms. Jenkins has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2005.
		Willy Laury (Paris, France) began training in dance at age 10 in Paris. At only 17 years old, he moved to New York City where he continued his dance education at SUNY Purchase and The Juilliard School. Mr. Laury danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for five seasons and danced lead and featured roles reviewed in the New York times and the Village Voice. Also focused on acting, Willy shot several films and is studying with Mattiew Corzine, and is now a proud member of the Francesca Harper Project. Mr. Laury has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Krisha Marcano has been performing professionally for over 15 years. Born in New York City, raised in Trinidad, WI, she trained at Caribbean School of Dance, she went on to earn a BFA from SUNY Purchase. Concert Dance credits: The Michael Mao Dance Company, The Martha Graham Dance Company, and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Broadway credits: Fosse (1st national tour); Aida (dance captain); Sweet Charity with Christina Applegate; and The Color Purple as ‘Squeak’. Other Credits: The Alliance Theater’s The Color Purple as ‘Squeak’; City Center Encores! – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Appletree and Purlie. Film and TV credits: Preacher’s Kid (film), Oprah Winfrey Show and David Letterman (TV). Teaching credits: Alvin Ailey school, Dance Theater of Harlem, Roy Arias Dance studios and The Uptown Dance Academy. Awards: Commendation for outstanding artistry and creativity from The City of New York – Office of the Comptroller ’08. Ms. Marcano has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2007.
		Kelly Marsh began his dance training at the age of 14 at The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, MO. He's been trained in several genres of dance such as Ballet, Horton, Graham, West African and Social Dance. Mr. Marsh has been a scholarship recipent to Perry Mansfield Summer Arts Camp and The Ailey School's summer intensive as a Fellowship student. He's performed in numerous concerts, performances and outside events. Mr. Marsh is currently a year round Fellowship student at The Ailey School and is an apprentice with Ailey II. Mr. Marsh is a memeber of The National Honors Society of Dance Arts. He's had the pleasure working with acclaimed choreographers including Thaddeus Davis, Dwanna Smallwood, Trinnette Singleton, Frank Chavez and Darrell Grande Moultire. Mr. Marsh has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Clement Mensah was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. He moved to the Netherlands at the age of 11. After high school Clement graduated from the CIOS sports academy) and went to the Amsterdam School of Arts. He joined the Kisshoff moves in his 2nd year. In his last year he went to the Alvin Ailey School as an exchange student, after that he became a fellowship student and graduated in June 2008 in Amsterdam. Clement has apprenticed with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He has been part of the Francesca Harper Project! and performed at the Harlem Stage, La Biennale di Venezia in Italy and East River Park Summer Stage. Clement is currently also dancing with the Elisa Monte Dance Company. Mr. Mensah has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2008.
		Major Nesby grew up in Atlanta, GA where he began his dance training at Decatur Ballet and attended Dekalb School of the Arts under the direction of Pamela Jones Malave'. He went on to continue his dance training at Point Park University as a ballet concentration. Major has also trained at the Ailey School, The Juilliard School, the Alonzo King Lines Ballet School, and the American Ballet Theatre. Major has performed work from world renowned choreographers like Bill T. Jones, Edgar Zendejas, Lauri Stallings, Jason McDole, and Robert Battle. Mr. Nesby has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Karine Plantadit was raised in Cameroon, West Africa, and came to New York to study at The Ailey School. She first danced professionally with The Jamison Project and then for seven years with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has since performed in several Broadway shows, including The Lion King, Saturday Night Fever and Movin’ Out. Karine was co-director of her own project RhythMEK with Michael Thomas and Elizabeth Roxas. She has also appeared in several films, including Chicago and opposite Selma Hayek in Frieda. Ms. Plantadit has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2006.
		Michael Thomas made his professional debut with the renowned dancer/artistic director Judith Jamison. He was a principal with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Complexions, Your Arms Too Short To Box With God and Julius Ceasar in New York. His commercial credits include a national spot for American Express and he was co-director of his own project, RhythMEK. Michael would like to thank Francesca and the dancers for their generous and open spirits. Mr. Thomas has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2006.
		Hattie Mae Williams graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance Program in 2003 with choreography honors. She has worked with companies such as the Kevin Wynn Collection, Johanna Mendel-Shaw Dancing with Horses project, and Avila/Weeks Company. Hattie Mae is currently working with her company The Tattooed Ballerinas a modern "guerilla style" based company bringing movement to everyday people. The company has performed works in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Miami, Florida. Ms. Williams has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2006.
		Stephanie Williams was raised in Texas, and received her early training at Dallas Dance Academy. Stephanie was an apprentice with Complexions Contemporay Ballet and was a member of Ballet Black, having danced at the Royal Opera House in London in 2008. Prior to joining Ballet Black, she was a member of Ben Stevenson's Texas Ballet Theater. Stephanie was a fellowship recipient at The Ailey School and also studied at The Juilliard School, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet and Houston Ballet Acadmy. She is a 2006 NFAA award winner in Ballet, a 2006 Youth America Grand Prix Finalist, and a 2004 Texas Commission on the Arts Young Master. Ms. Williams has been a member of The Francesca Harper Project since 2009.
		Past Company Members Rosita Adamo, Kristina Bethel, Alec Donovan, Giulia Fedeli, Julius Hollingsworth, Jessica Perrizo, Bradley Shelver, and Megan Thompson.