Janese Brooks-Galathe
Ja’nese Brooks-Galathe, a native of Lafayette, La., where she began her training in dance at an
early age with various dance companies and troupes. She has developed a unique and effective
teaching style in the past eleven years of teaching and performing West African, Afro-Brazilian,
Samba, Afro-Cuban and Caribbean style of dance. She is versatile and passionate dancer,
regularly invited to perform in schools, variety of shows and special events. Her teaching goes beyond technique to share a deep understanding of music, movement, and culture with students and dancers at all levels of dance experience.
Ja’nese’s dance is shaped by her Yoruba belief along with her studies and travels. Her extensive dance training began in New Orleans, La. with Allabatu African Dance and Drum Company instructed under Abdoulaye “Papa” Camara and N’Kafu Traditional West African Dance Co directed by Mariama Curry. After seeing one of Casa Samba’s spectacular performances Janese also began studying Brazilian Culture and Dance such as Samba and Afro-Brazilian in the performing group Casa Samba under Founder and Director Curtis Pierre and Dance instructor Carol Pierre. She also had the privilege of serving as Dance Captain 4 of the 8 years she’s performed with the company. Ja’nese is thrilled to be a part of Place de Negres under the direction of Grammy Award winning Musical Director Bill Summers and World Renown Artistic Director Kwame Ross. Place de Negres performs reenactments of 19th Century Congo Square song and dance as well as Orisha song and dance inspired by the regions of Cuba and Brazil! Janese continues to study with master teachers and performers from Senegal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Salvador, Bahia, and Cuba. Ja’nese is committed to encouraging dialogue among cultural communities through dance, with grade school students, dancers and non-dancers. Her passion for health and fitness has also led her to Certified Jazzercise fitness instructor and Personal Trainer where she teaches consistently on a weekly basis around the New Orleans area. She is the Co-Founder of Aya Body and Mind Health Alliance which produces an educational experience for youth and adults which emphasizes artistic knowledge and expression; while increasing health, fitness and nutrition awareness.
early age with various dance companies and troupes. She has developed a unique and effective
teaching style in the past eleven years of teaching and performing West African, Afro-Brazilian,
Samba, Afro-Cuban and Caribbean style of dance. She is versatile and passionate dancer,
regularly invited to perform in schools, variety of shows and special events. Her teaching goes beyond technique to share a deep understanding of music, movement, and culture with students and dancers at all levels of dance experience.
Ja’nese’s dance is shaped by her Yoruba belief along with her studies and travels. Her extensive dance training began in New Orleans, La. with Allabatu African Dance and Drum Company instructed under Abdoulaye “Papa” Camara and N’Kafu Traditional West African Dance Co directed by Mariama Curry. After seeing one of Casa Samba’s spectacular performances Janese also began studying Brazilian Culture and Dance such as Samba and Afro-Brazilian in the performing group Casa Samba under Founder and Director Curtis Pierre and Dance instructor Carol Pierre. She also had the privilege of serving as Dance Captain 4 of the 8 years she’s performed with the company. Ja’nese is thrilled to be a part of Place de Negres under the direction of Grammy Award winning Musical Director Bill Summers and World Renown Artistic Director Kwame Ross. Place de Negres performs reenactments of 19th Century Congo Square song and dance as well as Orisha song and dance inspired by the regions of Cuba and Brazil! Janese continues to study with master teachers and performers from Senegal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Salvador, Bahia, and Cuba. Ja’nese is committed to encouraging dialogue among cultural communities through dance, with grade school students, dancers and non-dancers. Her passion for health and fitness has also led her to Certified Jazzercise fitness instructor and Personal Trainer where she teaches consistently on a weekly basis around the New Orleans area. She is the Co-Founder of Aya Body and Mind Health Alliance which produces an educational experience for youth and adults which emphasizes artistic knowledge and expression; while increasing health, fitness and nutrition awareness.
Ibisoke Oludoye
Ibisoke Oludoye, born Glynda Starr Ferdinand, in New Orleans, La. began dancing at an early age after being inspired by the powerful grace of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jameson. She studied the basics of ballet and modern dance until moving to Oyotunji African village where she was immersed in Yoruba Culture which included Orisha Dance and various Rites of Passage dances. Experiencing the dances as they are performed during sacred ceremonies ignited a greater respect for and desire to uphold communal and cultural expression through the arts. While performing as a dancer and singer for both the Yoruba Royal Academy and Brothers of a Royal Tribe she was exposed to and began studying West African dance. She began dancing under the phenomenal instruction of Mariama Curry in N’Kafu Traditional Dance Company in 2002. After a brief hiatus during which time she pursued academic achievements she returned to N’Kafu in the fall of 2010. Ibisoke was blessed to be a part of Place de Negres under the direction of Grammy Award winning Musical Director Bill Summers and World Renown Artistic Director Kwame Ross. Place de Negres performs reenactments of 19th Century Congo Square song and dance as well as Orisha song and dance inspired by the regions of Cuba and Brazil!
Ibisoke’s passion for artistic expression also includes creative writing. She strongly believes that words have the ability to transform our lives by transforming our reality. At the age of 15 Ibisoke self-published a book of poems inspired by her time in Oyotunji African Village. Since then she has taught creative writing in various programs for grade school students focusing on assisting them to find their voice and envision their dreams though words. Ibisoke is dedicated to continually learning from master dancers from all over the world and inspiring young minds to reach beyond the limitations of sight in order to embrace the expansiveness of vision! Join her in our Starr Gazing corner to learn more about self-expression, self-relfection, and embracing the beauty of life!
Ibisoke’s passion for artistic expression also includes creative writing. She strongly believes that words have the ability to transform our lives by transforming our reality. At the age of 15 Ibisoke self-published a book of poems inspired by her time in Oyotunji African Village. Since then she has taught creative writing in various programs for grade school students focusing on assisting them to find their voice and envision their dreams though words. Ibisoke is dedicated to continually learning from master dancers from all over the world and inspiring young minds to reach beyond the limitations of sight in order to embrace the expansiveness of vision! Join her in our Starr Gazing corner to learn more about self-expression, self-relfection, and embracing the beauty of life!
Caron Garel
Caron McCray Garel developed a love for cooking at a very young age. She learned from her mother how to cook traditional southern dishes, and began catering events for friends, families and businesses. In trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and cooking for vegetarian friends and family, she developed her own unique style of cooking traditional dishes using healthier alternatives to ingredients that are considered unhealthy. She began to recognize the importance of nutrition and diet in maintaining a healthy lifestyle; which led to further self studies on preparing healthy nutritious meals, juicing, live foods, cooking with herbs, gardening and growing your own food, and many other areas concerning nutrition and wellness. Caron is dedicated to continue educating herself on ways that she can maintain a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and is excited to teach and give this knowledge to women and children to create and incorporate into their own wellness lifestyle.