Julinda D Lewis

Julinda (from Brooklyn, NY) studied with George Faison, Fred Benjamin, Eleo Pomare, Dianne McIntyre, Maurice Hines, Ella Thompson Moore, Loremil Machado, and Pepsi Bethel, and spent many hours at Clark Center for the Performing Arts.Julinda earned a BS and MA in Dance and Dance Education (New York University), an MSEd in Early Childhood Education (Brooklyn College) and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Regent University. She has been writing about dance and theater for over 40 years, authored Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance, numerous articles and reviews, and edited Black Choreographers Moving Towards the 21st Century.Julinda studied liturgical dance ministry at Calvary Bible Institute and Seminary under Dr. Brenda Colbert (Martinez, GA, ordained in 2009) and with the Eagles International Training Institute (licensed in Word and Technique, 2012).Julinda retired from Richmond City Public Schools Programs for the Gifted (June 2015) after 30+ years with NYC and Richmond public schools, and is active as a blogger for RVArt Review (jdldancesrva.com), and founding member/current President of the Richmond Theatre Community Circle. She is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University, teaches BeMoved® and Gentle BeMoved® classes for seniors, and is an instructor for the TEN Online Technique Center. In 2018, Julinda had bilateral lumpectomy for breast cancer (May 8), spinal fusion (May 14), left knee replacement (August 31), and right knee replacement (December 19). She is extraordinarily blessed to be able to continue to teach, minister, and perform and to be an inspiration to others. Currently Julinda enjoys performing as a core member in works by MK Abadoo including the duet Locs, the group work Octavia’s Brood: Riding the Ox Home, and the award-winning commemorative justice work Brother General Gabriel. During the COVID Julinda choreographed and performed in Lamentations, a Civil War play by Royal Shiree and had acting roles in Terms of Forbearance, a Women’s Film Festival Fringe play, and Royal Shiree’s Lightning Bug, all produced by the Hamner Theater (Crozet, VA).