China Smith has found her calling. As a performer, director, teacher, producer, and now, Founding Executive Director of Ballet Afrique and East Austin Performing Arts, China's breadth of experiences has prepared her for this point, the opening of the Ballet Afrique Dance Academy and Company Dance Studio. Raised in East Austin herself, as well as teaching dance for over eight years in East Austin schools and performing arts programs, China found limited opportunities for exposure to African American art, which she felt was crucial to the self empowerment of her young predominantly African American students. With strong roots in the community, China has not only the vision, but the deep insight and experience necessary to make such a project a successful reality.

Currently, China is the Director of Performing Arts at Texas Empowerment Academy where she develops curriculum for the performing arts program, advises on hiring, teaches dance for grades 5-9, and has established a youth performing company. Since 2004, she fully produces the dance productions at TEA, serving as director, choreographer, theatre set/tech designer, costume designer, accountant, and advertising/promoter.Thus far, these productions include Blackout (annually 2005-2008), Where We Come From (2008), Moving in the Blue (2006), Connected (2005), East Austin Revival (2004).

Stacey Baldon graduated with honors at Sam Houston State University with a BA in Dance and a minor in Spanish.During her tenure at SHSU, she performed in several undergraduate and graduate choreography concerts along with community concerts in the Huntsville area.

She is also a member of Rejoice Praise Dance Ministry at Friendship Community Bible Church in Sugarland, TX. Stacey has attended the Dallas Black Dance Theater and Ad Deum Dance Company summer dance intensives, and in Summer 2008 was a part of the Summer Performance Ensemble with DBDT. She is thankful for the opportunity to start her professional career with Ballet Afrique.

Adriana Ray began her dance training at the age of 2. A native of San Antonio, Texas, she studied at Pat Holbrook’s Dance Center and later at Earle Cobb Dance Studio. At this time she also joined RPM Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Barbara Phillips. While a member of RPM, Adriana was able to attend master classes and workshops, including the world’s largest tap and percussive dance festival Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World. She has also had the opportunity to learn choreography from legendary tap dancers. In 2007, Lane Alexander, Founder and Director of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, presented world-renown tap dancers as well as some of the nation’s youth tap ensembles in concert in Beijing, China at the 5th annual Beijing International Dance Festival. Adriana had the honor of being one of 4 to represent RPM for this event. Currently, Adriana is a student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in African and African American Studies. She is excited to be dancing with Ballet Afrique and looks forward to the season.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Daniele Renee Martin began dancing in the Detroit Public School system with M L King High School Dance Workshop Program. While the Dance Workshop company’s focus was modern dance, Daniele was introduced to other forms of dance, including ballet and lyrical. During her high school years she participated in many master classes, workshops and concerts.

In 1997, Daniele went on to college and attended The Defiance College in Defiance, OH where she received her Bachelors in Psychology and her Masters in Business and Organizational Leadership. While in college she competed in the Miss Ohio Organization scholarship pageants (1998-2001) where dance was her talent. During her 11 year stay in Ohio, she taught weekly lyrical classes at the local YMCA as well as danced, choreographed and taught liturgical dance classes at her church. She also participated in local plays, fashion shows and other community related events.

Daniele moved to Austin in July, 2007 and currently works for University of Texas at Austin as a Hall Coordinator in the Division of Housing & Food Service. Outside of work she dances with the Shoreline Christian Center Dance Ministry and teaches monthly dance technique classes. Most recently she participated in the Drama Dance, Sister Moses: The story of Harriet Tubman. Her favorite quote and motto is, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about dancing in the rain.” Daniele is excited to be a part of the Ballet Afrique family.

Sadé M. Jones is currently a psychology M.A. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin. A native of Brooklyn, NY, she received most of her training in different NYC dance classes including Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center. As an undergraduate of William Smith College, she minored in Dance and Social Justice.

During this time, she performed works of Afro-Caribbean dancer and choreographer Chris Walker and represented her school at ACDFA. During her junior and senior years, Sadé went to Minneapolis to join the Ananya Dance Theatre becoming part of their touring cast. With 13 years of dance training, Sadé's fierce-ness emerges when she uses dance to communicate the social agenda of her people.