Tea and Talk

TEA AND TALK WITH KELVIN COOPER S3 - EP5Kelvin Cooper is the Chair and Professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Bronx Community College. He is certified in both fitness and yoga. He has adjunct at NYU teaching Afro-Caribbean dance, and he is a teaching artist for the Alvin Ailey Arts Education Program. He has taught, directed intercultural dance and wellness workshops, conferences and performances on the continent of Africa, South America, Asia, North America and Europe. These are all opportunities that have allowed him to explore much of his healing and creative work on Restorative Practice with diverse communities. He uses this practice to create joy, wellness, and safe space in addressing two fundamental needs of human beings; the need to be connected to your authentic self and the need to be connected to others for mutual support and resources.

Tea and Talk with - Cristin Carole - Shirley Hall-Bass Forum 2025S3 Ep4Co- Founder Shirley Hall Bass ForumCristin Carole is an interdisciplinary artist,choreographer, dancer and arts educator. With over 20 years of multi-media performances, curriculum development experience and arts integration methodologies developed in the United states and abroad, Cristin works to bring a greater understanding of content standards, planning, implementation and assessment to teaching artists through professional development workshops and graduate level education courses. Most recently she brought her insight as both and artist and elementary classroom teacher to her award winning educational programming and professional development workshops for the Joffrey Ballet.Mission of The Shirley Hall-Bass ForumThe mission of the Shirley Hall Bass Dance Educators Forum, first convened in 2019 in Nassau, Bahamas isto establish dance as a driving force in Bahamian education, tourism and national identity through thedevelopment of a professional learning community with concerted focus on quality education from K-12.

LINDSAY BRAYNENLindsay Braynen [she/her] is a Bahamian-born performing artist currently based in Vancouver, Canada. Known by her stage name Androsia Wilde - “The Bahama Mama Of Burlesque” - her performing journey spans over 3,000 miles and has taken her through the realms of alternative modeling, martial arts, immersive theatre, acting for television, dance, and most importantly - burlesque. Her burlesque career started in May 2014 with her much-lauded debut as Lando Calrissian in Geekenders' initial production of "The Empire Strips Back", and she has since set stages ablaze with acts that deftly combine her love of storytelling and pop-culture, with a personal pride in her Bahamian heritage.

TEA AND TALK WITH NICOLETTE BETHEL - SEASON 3 - EP2Nicolette Bethel was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas to parents Keva (the principal and then the president of the College of the Bahamas) and Clement (who was a concert pianist and a composer and a choral director) Bethel. She studied at Trinity College at the University of Toronto and at Corpus Christi College, where she got a PhD in Social Anthropology. She also lived and worked in the UK and Canada and later moved back to the Bahamas where she served as Director of Culture for the Bahamas for five years.When Nicolette moved back to The Bahamas she got involved with Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, which was the community theatre of the time. During this time, she met and married her husband Phillip Burrows and they moved to Canada for a few years. Upon returning in 2000 they formed Ringplay Productions, mostly with the former members of the Dundas repertory company. She later went into the government to work as Director of Culture. Years later she left the government and produced Shakespeare in Paradise. Nicolette is a playwright, poet, fiction writer, and anthropologist who is the Chair of Social Sciences at the University of The Bahamas. She is also a theatre producer and director and is the founder and Festival Director of Shakespeare in Paradise, co-founder and Vice-President of Ringplay Productions, and Vice-Chair of the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts in Nassau, Bahamas.

TEA AND TALK - WITH CRISTIN CAROLE - SEASON 3 - EP: 1Co-Founder Shirley Hall Bass ForumCristin Carole is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, dancer, and arts educator. With over 20 years of multi-media performances, curriculum development experience, and arts integration methodologies developed in the United States and abroad, Cristin works to bring a greater understanding of content standards, planning, implementation, and assessment to teaching artists through professional development workshops and graduate-level education courses. Most recently she brought her insight as both an artist and elementary classroom teacher to her award-winning educational programming and professional development workshops for the Joffrey Ballet. Mission of The Shirley Hall-Bass Forum The mission of the Shirley Hall Bass Dance Educators Forum, first convened in 2019 in Nassau, Bahamas is to establish dance as a driving force in Bahamian education, tourism, and national identity through the development of a professional learning community with a concerted focus on quality education from K-12.

TEA AND TALK - WITH GILLIAN GIA CURRY-WILLIAMS & DR. JOANN CALLENDER - S-2 EP14GILLIAN GIA CURRY- WILLIAMS In the face of her father’s courageous battle with cancer in 2016, Gillian developed a profound connection with cancer survivors. She channeled her creativity into “The Fabric of Hope,” a print fabric design garnering global attention for its symbolic depiction of the beauty and strength of cancer warriors. Inspired by her experience, Gillian also initiated an annual Fashion Show highlighting and honoring the strength and resilience of cancer warriors, who, as the runway models themselves, are affectionately called “Remilda Rose Designs Honorees.” Deepening her commitment to bring hope. Gillian established the Fabric of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals battling cancer. DR. JOANN CALLENDERDr. Joann Callender is a survivor and the patron of this year's “Fabric of Hope” Remilda Rose Design Honorees fashion show. Dr. Callender has worked for decades to exhibit the music of TheBahamas around the world. A renowned soprano soloist, she is also well regarded as a champion of Black excellence in the performing arts for her long career as a writer, producer, and director of stage productions that have been brought to international audiences. She is a Bahamiancultural ambassador and is dedicated to preserving a legacy of Bahamian music for future generations.

TEA AND TALK - WITH SHANESS D. KEMP - PART 1Shaness D. Kemp is a native of Nassau, Bahamas, and holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts from Temple University. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and continues to work as a freelance dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. Most recently, Kemp was invited to be a guest performing artist with the Tabanka African & Caribbean Peoples Dance Ensemble which is Northern Europe’s largest all-black professional dance company. As Master Teacher of the Umfundalai technique, she has taught at various institutions, festivals, and intensives, both nationally and internationally. Kemp has trained and performed with several notable artists and professional dance companies, including Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Kariamu & Company: Traditions, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, Eleone Dance Theatre, Philadanco! The Philadelphia Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Rennie Harris Puremovement, The Katherine Dunham Seminar, and The American Dance Festival to name a few. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally at organizations such as the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and the 37th Annual Choreographers Showcase where she received the Audience Choice Award for her choreography. She was also the 2015-2016 recipient of the Ellen Forman Memorial Award.

TEA AND TALK - WITH SHANESS D. KEMP - PART 2 - EPISODE 12Shaness D. Kemp is a native of Nassau, Bahamas, and holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts from Temple University. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and continues to work as a freelance dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. Most recently, Kemp was invited to be a guest performing artist with the Tabanka African & Caribbean Peoples Dance Ensemble which is Northern Europe’s largest all-black professional dance company. As Master Teacher of the Umfundalai technique, she has taught at various institutions, festivals, and intensives, both nationally and internationally. Kemp has trained and performed with several notable artists and professional dance companies, including Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Kariamu & Company: Traditions, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, Eleone Dance Theatre, Philadanco! The Philadelphia Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Rennie Harris Puremovement, The Katherine Dunham Seminar, and The American Dance Festival to name a few. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally at organizations such as the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and the 37th Annual Choreographers Showcase where she received the Audience Choice Award for her choreography. She was also the 2015-2016 recipient of the Ellen Forman Memorial Award.

TEA AND TALK WITH DENISE WORRELL - BAHAMIAN HERBALIST - SEASON 2 -EPISODE 11Denise Worrell is an entrepreneur who is as proud of her Bahamian heritage as she is patriotic. Her company, Naturally Bahamian (https://www.naturallybahamian.com), produces a wide range of natural products made from locally sourced ingredients. Her list of products includes juices, teas, syrups, jams, jellies, bath products, and many others that she makes from locally sourced ingredients.

TEA AND TALK - WITH PHYLLIS ALBURY-GARRAWAY - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 10 - PART 2Phyllis Joy-Anne Albury-Garraway's passion for youth development has spanned over forty- five years, bringing about a profound impact by providing new opportunities for training youth amidst cultural and educational challenges. Born on July 21, 1956, in Nassau, Bahamas, Phyllis was encouraged by her mother, Florence Lockhart, a renowned Bahamian designer, who recognized her motivational talent and inspired her to teach and instill discipline in young individuals. Phyllis firmly believed that disciplined behavior was essential in all aspects of life and could be cultivated through not only formal education but also extracurricular activities.

TEA AND TALK WITH PHYLLIS ALBURY -GARRAWAY SEASON 2 - EPISODE 10Phyllis Joy-Anne Albury-Garraway's passion for youth development has spanned over forty- five years, bringing about a profound impact by providing new opportunities for training youth amidst cultural and educational challenges. Born on July 21, 1956, in Nassau, Bahamas, Phyllis was encouraged by her mother, Florence Lockhart, a renowned Bahamian designer, who recognized her motivational talent and inspired her to teach and instill discipline in young individuals. Phyllis firmly believed that disciplined behavior was essential in all aspects of life and could be cultivated through not only formal education but also extracurricular activities.

TEA AND TALK - WITH KIRKLAND "KB" BODIE - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 9 - PART 1Kirkland Bodie is a Bahamian musician, composer, and cultural activist. For more than 30 years “KB” has managed to capture the idiosyncrasies of Bahamians through his music and storytelling.

TEA AND TALK - WITH CLEMENT PENN - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 8 -PART 2Clement Penn is the son of the late Captain Simpson Penn who took over the first Bahamas Boys Brigade in 1946 and brother the brother of the late Frank Penn Bahamian musician and cultural active. Clement himself has held many positions in the music industry of The Bahamas in association with his brother Frank. Clement is also a cultural active.

TEA AND TALK - WITH CLEMENT PENN - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 8 - PART 1Clement Penn is the son of the late Captain Simpson Penn who took over the first Bahamas Boys Brigade in 1946 and brother of the late Frank Penn Bahamian musician and cultural activist. Clement himself has held many positions in the music industry in The Bahamas as well as a cultural activist.

TEA AND TALK - WITH SHAWN TOUSSAINT - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 7 - PART 2Shawn Toussaint is a Bahamian dancer, teacher, and choreographer living in Denmark. He began his dance training while attending the A.F. Adderley Senior High School in Nassau Bahamas. Shawn has spent more than 4 decades as a dancer performing locally in The Bahamas, United States, and Europe.

TEA AND TALK - WITH ROSEMARY C. HANNA - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 6 - PART 2Rosemary Clarice Hanna is a retired banker, author, documentaryfilmmaker, musician, gardener, and photographer whose knowledge of the general history of The Bahamasand Nassau's over-the-hill community provides valuableinsight into the history and culture of The Bahamas.

TEA AND TALK - WITH ROSEMARY C. HANNA - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 6 - PART 1Rosemary Clarice Hanna is a retired banker, author, documentary filmmaker, musician, gardener, and photographer whose knowledge of the general history of The Bahamas and Nassau's over-the-hill community provides valuable insight into the history and culture of The Bahamas.

TEA AND TALK - WITH SARAH CROWELL - SEASON 2 - EPISODE 5 -PART 2Sarah Crowell has taught dance, theater, and violence prevention for over 30 years. At the end of 2020, she left her position as the Artistic Director at Destiny Arts Center in Oakland, CA where she served in different capacities from 1990-2020, including Executive Director from 2002-2007. She founded and co-directed the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company from 1993-2020, which has been the subject of two documentary films and won the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award. Sarah has facilitated arts integration, violence prevention, cultural humility, and team-building professional development sessions with artists and educators since 2000, both locally and nationally.She is the recipient of the KPFA Peace Award, the KQED Women’s History Local Hero Award, the Bay Area Dance Week award, the Alameda County Arts Leadership Award, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone Award. She is also a four-time finalist for a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education. Sarah is a retired professional dancer, having performed and toured with numerous dance and dance/theater companies including Impulse Jazz Dance Company in Boston and the Dance Brigade in San Francisco. She also co-created the dance/theater company I am Productions!Since leaving Destiny Arts Center, Sarah has worked as a consultant for the Hewlett Foundation, St. Mary’s College, Dance Mission Theater (Liberation Academy), the Othering and Belonging Institute, Movement Liberation and The World As It Could Be, doing team building, curriculum writing, group facilitation, arts festival and conference curation, and public speaking.Sarah believes passionately that the arts are an essential component of the journey to social justice, especially art forms that involve moving the body. She believes that movement must be part of all movements for social change.

TEA AND TALK - WITH SARAH CROWELL - SEASON2 - EPISODE 5 Sarah Crowell has taught dance, theater, and violence prevention for over 30 years. At the end of 2020, she left her position as the Artistic Director at Destiny Arts Center in Oakland, CA where she served in different capacities from 1990-2020, including Executive Director from 2002-2007. She founded and co-directed the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company from 1993 - 2020, which has been the subject of two documentary films and won the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award. Sarah has facilitated arts integration, violence prevention, cultural humility, and team-building professional development sessions with artists and educators since 2000, both locally and nationally.She is the recipient of the KPFA Peace Award, the KQED Women’s History Local Hero Award, the Bay Area Dance Week award, the Alameda County Arts Leadership Award, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone award. She is also a four-time finalist for a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education.Sarah is a retired professional dancer, having performed and toured with numerous dance and dance/theater companies including Impulse Jazz Dance Company in Boston and the Dance Brigade in San Francisco. She also co-created the dance/theater company I am Productions!Since leaving Destiny Arts Center, Sarah has worked as a consultant for the Hewlett Foundation, St. Mary’s College, Dance Mission Theater (Liberation Academy), the Othering and Belonging Institute, Movement Liberation, and The World As It Could Be, doing team building, curriculum writing, group facilitation, arts festival and conference curation, and public speaking.Sarah believes passionately that the arts are an essential component of the journey to social justice, especially art forms that involve moving the body. She believes that movement must be part of all movements for social change.

MR. FREDDIE MUNNINGS JR.Tea and Talk welcomes Bahamian Entertainer, Entrepreneur, and Cultural Activist Freddie Munnings Jr. As we discuss aspects of Bahamian entertainment and culture. Freddie began his career nearly 50 years ago and is well known for songs such as “All the best things”, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, “Dreamer Man”, “Sunflower” and much more.