Creative Team

JESSICA POTTS  is a graduate of Howard University with a B.F.A. in Dance with an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University. Currently. Her background is in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and contemporary. She has danced professionally with a contemporary dance company called Dissonance Dance Theatre in Washington D.C. under the direction of Shawn Short from 2015 - 2018. Ms. Potts is the first official dance teacher in the dance department here at Fairmont Heights High School. She has continued to build the dance program over the past 6 years and aim's to expose students to dance in its highest form while also training those who wish to pursue dance as a career or area of study. The purpose of the program is to promote Passion, exposure, creativity, and culture for dance within the student body and community.

KIANA EBONÉ CHASE MERCER is a graduate of Howard University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in Theatre Arts-Dance. Her professional training began with Ms. Stephanie Powell at Baltimore Dance Tech in 1999. Kiana is an award-winning choreographer who has had the opportunity to choreograph for the Stirring the Waters Across America touring musical production, the Alzheimer's Association Memory Ball, weddings, and high school productions.  Currently, Miss Kiana teaches dance at several dance studios in Baltimore, MD.   She also founded the Kiana Eboné Dance Ensemble, an adult performance dance company, and published ABC Dance Like Me, a coloring and activity book featuring Black dancers of varying genres.   Furthermore, Kiana is a co-founder of Brilliance in Black, an organization dedicated to supporting and highlighting the positive actions and gifts of those in the Black community, with an emphasis on Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10

TREY “SIMBAA” CAPERS is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from Howard University in May of 2015. He is a former professional dancer currently living in his hometown where he is pursuing his career in the healthcare field as of today, volunteers with a non-profit youth organization, and teaches dance as well as coaches a dance competition team at his former dance academy where he trained in his youth, Art in Motion Dance Academy, LLC. His training began at the age of 12 years old with the hip-hop movement and continued pursuing his training in various styles of technique at Howard University. He has trained among the greats that’ll include Debbie Allen & Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ronald K. Brown, Sean Bankhead, and more. He has worked with renowned choreographers such as Ray Mercer, a principal dancer with The Lion King on Broadway, Jennifer Archibald, Ronald K. Brown, and Evidence Dance Company under the direction of Tiffany Quinn, the legendary George Faison, and Debbie Allen. After graduating from Howard University, he went on to pursue his professional career in Atlanta, GA. He has appeared in Dreamgirls with the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Cindy: A Different Kind of Cinderella Story and A Soulful Christmas with Stepp Stewart and Dynamite Productions, Fright Fest and Because It’s Christmas show performances with Six Flags Over Georgia, Mad Expressions Dance Showcase and Vybez Dance Showcase with local choreographers in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Trey has performed with various artists such as Montell Jordan, Bobby Brown, Missy Elliot, and many more. He has also been featured in a few of BET’s popular shows, The Quad and Boomerang. Trey was also the personal assistant to the owners of Dance 411 Studios and 411 South Talent Agency formerly known as BLOC South Talent Agency where he was able to meet and network with various artists, choreographers, and dancers in the entertainment industry.

LACHELLE EDWARDS has over 25 years of performance, choreography, and production consultation experience. She has studied and performed at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Joy of Motion Dance Studios, and various locations throughout the East Coast. LaChelle began her artistic training at the age of 13 with the D.C. Youth Ensemble, where she studied modern dance, theater, and vocal music. From there she went on to Duke Ellington School of the Arts where she studied classical ballet, tap, and modern dance, with a concentration in Horton and Graham technique. She also studied classical ballet, modern dance, tap, and West African dance in New York at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Throughout college, Director Edwards served as a member and captain of the Marching Trojan Explosion dance team, Essence of Troy as well as performed and toured with the world-renowned Virginia State University Gospel Chorale (VSUGC). She also gained experience in the styles of Broadway jazz, contemporary jazz, and hip-hop while performing with the X-Faction Dance Company. LaChelle Edwards continues to perform, choreograph, and teach in the D.C. area, and has assisted in creating VCMIDC's Christmas productions of the past; A Christmas Carol, It's A Wonderful Life, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Miracle on 34th Street. LaChelle currently teaches dance at Jyla's Studio of Dance in District Heights, MD, and looks forward to continuing to spread the power of the Performing Arts through her craft.