About the Artist
Ronya-Lee LaVaune Anderson is an artist who draws inspiration from the authenticity of Nina Simone, the grace of Martha Graham, the social consciousness of Bob Marley and the unapologetic style of Jimi Hendrix. For Ronya-Lee, music-and dance are avenues of expression, providing space to wonder, to speak, to invite, to challenge. With a Master's of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, a B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland at College Park, Ronya-Lee approachss the arts through multiple lenses.
Ronya-Lee attended UMD as a CAPA scholar. While there she studied with Karen Bradley, Alvin Mayes, Mirian Rosen, Anne Warren, Alcine Wiltz, and Neijla Yatkin. Upon graduation she took off a year to perform in Children of Eden at the Ford's Theater in Washington DC, choreographed and directed by Helen Hayes award winner David H. Bell. Coming full circle, Ms. Anderson was recently accepted into the University of Maryland at College Park School of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies Dance MFA Program and awarded a Teaching Fellowship.
Ronya-Lee is a former member of the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble, ClancyWorks, Carla Perlo's Carla and Company, Erica Rebollar Dance Co., and LizLerman's Dance Exchange. She has led residencies at Duke University (Durham, NC), Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Arkansas), Mercyhurst University (Erie, PA) and Prince George's Community College (Landover, MD).
Chosen to presentwork as part of the 2010 Choreographer's Showcase, her work has been commissioned by Duke University, PG Community College, Joy of Motion, DanceEthos, Dance For All Youth Company in South Africa, as well as churches, schools and community organizations throughout the United Stafts. Ms. Anderson has taught master classes and workshops for Project Dance DC, Youth 2011 at Purdue University, Duke Youth Academy in Durham, NC and Jubilate Worship Conference in Raleigh, NC. A 2013 recipient of a Bates Dance Festival Teaching Fellowship, a 2014 Sacred Dance Facilitator at Music and Liturgical Arts Week in Lake Junaluska, NC, and a 2015 Main Presenter at the Sacred Dance Guild's biannual conference, Ronya-Lee travels extensively teaching, dancing, and choreographing.
Ronya-Lee is on the Dance Department Faculty of the Northwestern High School Jim Henson Academy forthe Visual and Performing Arts and cu:rently serves as Artistic Director for her company, Dancing by the Power: Movement Matters, a non-profit sacred dance organization. She is also the Rehearsal Director for the Marvin Gaye Project, an evening length work set to popular Marvin Gaye tunes under the artistic direction ofrVincent Thomas. With the ukulele as her songwriting companion, Ronya-Lee is also a genre-bending singer-songwriter, using her dance and choreography experience to create a unique live experience. She is currently working on her debut album, The Líght Sessions.
