Biographies

Artistic Director

Daina Cockrell
Daina Cockrell began her training at the Northumberland School of Dance with Kay Hearton at age 11. Her extensive studies include the American Dance Festival at Duke University, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Richmond Ballet, the Omega Institute, the Broadway Dance Center, and Steps. In 2001, Daina, who is the Artistic Director of the Charisma Dance Theatre, met Rodney Williams. Together they have conducted many performances. In 2004, Daina moved to Colorado to study with a former company member at the Pilobolus and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. She also attended the Boulder Jazz and Aerial Dance Festivals in Colorado. She holds a B.A. in Holistic Ministries and is currently completing her Master’s degree program. She is a certified instructor in Scott Pilates and currently dances and teaches with the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

Director of Choreography

Rodney L. Williams
Rodney Williams is a master educator, choreographer, composer, gospel recording artist, motivations speaker and dancer. He is a 1980 graduate of the College of William and Mary. Williams' teaching career began in the Richmond public school system where he taught music and dance for 11 years. Since 1992, Williams has served as artist-in-residence at Longwood University where he directs the Longwood Company of Dancers and instructs students in the art of dance and choreography. Williams also co-directs the award-winning City Dance Troupe of Richmond, VA, sponsored by Recreation and Parks. His choreography with the troupe has been recognized with several distinguished regional, national and special awards (Best Choreography, Best Presentation, Best Emotional and several high score awards) all presented by Dance America and Dance Olympus of New York City. Mr. Williams' achievements have been heralded:

1976 - Martin Luther King Scholarship (College of William and Mary)
1984 - Stephen Palades Music Scholarship (College of William and Mary)
1984 - Recipient of John F. Kennedy Fellowship For Teachers
(Kennedy Center for Performing Arts)
1992 - Teacher of the Year (Richmond Public Schools)
1996 - Who's Who Among American Teachers
1997 - Milton Randolph, St. Award for Volunteer Work (presented by United Way. and Friend Association for Children)
1999 - College Dance Educator of the Year (Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance)
2000 - Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts.
2000 - Fuqua Excellence in Teaching Award
(presented by Longwood University)
2004 - College Dance Educator of the Year.

Featured Artist

Will Sterling Walker
Began dance training at the age of 14 at the Chamber Ballet in Williamsburg. He went on to receive the Artist Merit Award from the Virginia School of the Arts and was a Regional Dance America Scholarship recipient. He trained with the Contemporary Ballet Theater, Allegheny Ballet Company and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Will danced professionally with the Richmond Ballet for 4 years and Starr Foster Dance Project as well as Chris Burnside and Dancers. He teaches Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Latin and Techno Hip-Hop at Henrico High School Center for the Arts and the Latin Ballet of Virginia where he is the Junior Company Director and a professional dancer.