Rodney S. Hill – Company Manager
Born and raised in North Philadelphia Rodney entered the hip hop scene in 1988. For more than a decade, Rodney has blazed the stages in venues nationally and abroad. He has been featured in many videos for such artist as Boys II Men, Will Smith, Music Soul Child & EVE just to name a few . Moving on to perform on TV shows such as Soul Train, NBC'S NFL Under The Helmet, BET "Teen Summit," In addition he has toured and performed with artist such as Teddy Pendergrass, Shan ice Wilson, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Philly's own the Roots . An accomplished teacher and choreographer Rodney Hill has taught in Universities and dance studios locally, nationally and internationally. Constantly expanding his horizons, Rodney is always working with new artist and exploring new opportunities. Once a core dancer, production assistant, and road manager Rodney Shawn Hill is currently the Company Manager of Rennie Harris Puremovement and Rennie Harris R.H.A.W. Rodney Hill seeks inspiration from his community and family while continuing to educate and inspire others, through his hard work, dedication and commitment to hip hop and its culture.
Raphael Xavier- Company Artistic Director
is an award winning artist from Wilmington, Delaware. As a member of the world renown Hip Hop Dance Company, Rennie Harris Puremovement since 1998, Raphael is a Pennsylvania Fellow of the Arts in Folk and Traditional forms and has been funded by the Independence Foundation and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, ACTA and the Durfee Foundation. He has been a professional dancer for the last 15 years, working in a variety of fields including Music, photography and film. A self taught Breaking practitioner since 1983, Raphael continues to learn and recreate new ways to expand the vocabulary of the dance form through constant research of the culture, performance and practice and staying present in the community.
His extensive research in Hip Hop forms and culture, specifically Breaking, has lead to the creation of Ground-Core, a Somatic dance technique that give the practitioner a better understanding of the body within all dance forms.
Crystal Frazier- Company Assistant Artistic Director
From New Jersey where she began her dance and gymnastics training at the age of 6. During this time she competed in pageants and began to held titles such as, Miss Salem County, World Exquisite Miss, Miss Black Awareness and many more. She received her Degree in Dance from the University of the Arts where she is currently on staff and senior member with “Rennie Harris Puremovement". Her performance credits include the VH1 Fashion awards with Macy Gray, BET’s Comicview, the BET Awards with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, MTV’s Lip Service, and MTV’s Global Groove. She was the featured dancer and choreographer for Jill Scott’s “Big Beautiful Tour” and has had the opportunity to be in the swing cast for the Groovaloo Show in LA, a video with Mike Philips, the Italy Tour with Kathy Sledge, and make an appearance in the movie Beloved, the show Monk and Dance Magazine.
Crystal’s choreography has been featured nationally and internationally for shows such as The Fringe Festival, The Garden State Dance Festival, 76ers Dance Team, University of the Arts, The Rock School, Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, Hip Hop Extravaganza in Bermuda, Taipei University of the Arts in Taiwan, Cruzan Dance in St. Croix, Encore Danses En Tourneau and Dance Ability in Canada, August Wilson Dance Ensemble and many more.
She is also a judicator for the Miss America Organization, DanceQuest in Canada and Assistant Director for Dancers Inc. Competition and Convention. She is the former Co-Founder of Montazh Performing Arts Company where in 2006 she received an “Art and Change” grant from the Leeway Foundation for “Ladies of Hip Hop”. Currently Crystal is the Founder of Slither Dance Project and can be found on staff at many prestigious schools throughout the Tri-State area teaching all styles of dance.
Brandyn S. Harris
The eldest of Rennie Harris' children, Brandyn remembers watching his father dance ever since elementary school, Originally from north Philadelphia he spent his most recent years in Upper Darby, PA where he graduated high school in 2006. Since then he has spent most of his time performing and competing on the local circuit of Philidelphia as well as nationally. Whether it be talent shows, dancing in clubs, or maybe even dancing on the street, Brandyn strives to be one of the greatest dancers of Philadelphia who hasn't been studio trained (ballet, modern, hip hop etc). Presently this is the first time he worked with his father on a consistent basis and is continuing to learn more about the true history of hip hop every day. As a dancer in both RHPM and Rennie Harris R.H.A.W, Brandyn's schedule can be a little hectic traveling around the world with both companies. Although he has only been training with Rennie Harris R.H.A.W since 2008, Brandyn is consistently progressing as a person and as a dancer, and hopes to one day follow in his father's footsteps as a premier choreographer. To date Brandyn serves as the assist rehearsal director of Rennie Harris R.H.A.W.
Davion Brown
Born February 21st, 1991 In Philadelphia his mother, Darcel Brown, served as both his dance teacher and also his inspiration. Dancing is hereditary amongst the Brown family using the skills his mother passed on. Davion explored on to train in learning all the street dancing styles such as boogaloo style, popping, waving, fresno, filmore, animation, strobing, puppeting, scarecrow, tutting, house, locking, breaking, old school hip hop, and new styling. In 2008, he appeared in Alchemy's "pillow". Currently he dances for Rennie Harris RHAW Davion and other RHAW members are directly train under Dr. Lorenzo Rennie Harris.
Macca Malik
Philadelphia via Erfurt Germany, Macca grew up in Germany where she received her high school diploma. She gained interest in hip-hop through her older brother who was an MC and organizer of many hip-hop events in Germany in her early years. Macca got her first taste of Breaking from the B-boys and B-girls in Erfurt, Germany; She was mesmerized at first sight, but remained a spectator until she began taking Breaking' classes in America January 2004. Learning from, one of Philadelphia's Masters of Breaking Raphael Xavier. Macca performed in a work in progress of "Brotherly Love" (Olive Dancer Theater) Olive Dance Theatre. In 2006 she continued her studies with 360 Flava founder and director, Brian "B-boy Hannibal" Newby. Macca has competed nationally and internationally in B-boy & girl competitions as well as featured in promotional events, theater performances (UK) & Bolivia, magazines such as the Philadelphia Weekly Magazines, in addition she has taught workshops and has organized and sponsored "Breakin' Jams/Competitions." To her credit she has won New York's "B-boy Massacre 2009" B-girl Competition, and was chosen to represent Team U.S.A at England's annual "B.SUPREME Women in Hip Hop Festival 2009" with the legendary B-girl Rock-A-Fella of Full Circle. To date Macca is currently a core member of Rennie Harris RHAW, a training company of Rennie Harris Puremovement.
Mariah Tlili
From Philadelphia Pa, started her dance training at the young age of four under Debbie Appalucci at Touch of Class Dance Studio. While attending the studio for about 12 years her studies included ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and lyrical. She was introduced to hip hop around age seven through choreographers Aleksa Chmiel and Tori Closson, and immediately fell in love with it. She was a member of the very first 76'ers Junior Hip Hop Dance Team, and continued to dance for them for three years until she reached the maximum age limit of 13. During her first year with the Sixers her talent was recognized and she was encouraged to audition for the Fox Good Day Philadelphia Dance Team. She made the team and was honored to have that opportunity. Mariah's talent was also recognized by top choreographers at the many competitions and workshops she competed in with Touch of Class. She received a scholarship every year for four years that she attended the Co-Dance workshop. In effort to strengthen her skill in hip hop, Mariah joined the junior hip hop company of LeX and Tori's Flomotion, Flomotion Too. The company performed at many different events, and was featured in the Young Dancer magazine where Mariah was chosen to grace the cover along with one other member. At about age 16, Mariah stopped attending Touch of Class Dance Studio in effort to focus more on hip hop. She felt that she thrived most while dancing in that art form. She soon joined Jr. hip hop company Nyce Stylez, under the direction of Desire Feliciano. In the recent past, Mariah performed with the Garden State Dance Festival for two years. Through this experience she was asked to assist choreographer Crystal Frazier, and to also start training with Rennie Harris' Pure Movement. She has been training with the company for almost two years now, and is currently a member of the second company RHPM RHAW. She is now also assistant director of Nyce Stylez Dance Crew. Mariah hopes to continue growing as a dancer, and understands the importance of never giving up on her dreams. She is determined to make dance her career because it is the one thing she knows she will never get tired of!
Courtney Klinger
Born and raised in the Suburbs of Philadelphia Pa. Has been dancing since the age of 5. Courtney is trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and all forms under hip hop. Courtney has worked with many Philadelphia companies and is currently with Rennie Harris second company Rennie Harris RHAW. As a performer she has danced all over the U.S. and Poland. She also won first place at B-boy Hodown '07 for locking. Courtney Instructs hip hop classes around the tri-state area.
Shafeek WestBrook
A native son of north Philadelphia, knew he wanted to dance at the age of 6 years old. Shafeek studied tap dance at the Philadelphia Dance Company. After winning various competitions he was dubbed "Mighty Mouse." Soon he too would find himself studying under the tutelage of Brian "Hannibal" Newby Founder/Director of 360/Flavor Crew in 2005. In the summer of 2009 he began training with Rennie Harris RHAW and also serves as an apprentice in Rennie Harris Puremovement while performing as core member of Rennie Harris RHAW.
Joshua Culbreath
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Started dancing at the age of 10yr. During his middle school to high school years Joshua joined a dance group called K.R.S Ent. Which won a lot of talent shows and went on to perform on the famous TV show? Showtime at the Apollo in the New York. While dancing with K.R.S Ent. Joshua met bboy Hannibal owner and artist director of 360 Flava and began to train with B-boy Hannibal. At the in of 2009 Joshua started training with Rennie Harris RHAW.
Neka French
Born January 8, 1990 and raised in Wynnfield, Philadelphia. Having two talented parents would only determine her future in the entertainment business. Neka's father Barton French who plays the guitar always kept Neka around music. Her Mother Deborah Scott a talented singer put Neka in the choir when she was just only six years old. But soon after her love came for dance after Neka and her cousins stumbled upon an old Michael Jackson vhs tape with some of his videos on it. After seeing that French took off, and performed in her first talent show. After her mother noticed her daughter great talent for dancing she decided to enroll her in to Philadanco dance school. August of 2008 French picked up where she left off for her love to sing and dance once again. She start learning all the different styles of Hip Hop dance, In September 2009 she auditioned for the Academy of Phresh.a Philadelphia based Hip Hop Company. While with Phresh she met Dinita Askew a core member of Rennie Harris Puremovement. Dinita Askew later contact Neka to ask if she wanted to perform with her for an upcoming performance quickly Neka said yes !. With doing such a amazing job Dinita Askew immediately introduced Neka to Rodney Hill Company Manager of RHPM and Rennie Harris R.H.A.W. The rest is history with hard work Neka now trains and perform with Rennie Harris R.H.A.W.
Kevin Rand
Born and raised in the suburbs of Marlton New Jersey. Kevin started dancing at the age of 16 years old. After seeing his best friend bboy Jay Conquest dance. In 2006 while still in high school Kevin started training to become a B-boy. Not soon after in 2007, Kevin was invited to join the training program of B-boy Hannibal and the infamous 360 Flava Crew and eventually became a member of 360 Flava Crew in 2008. To date Kevin is a member of Rennie Harris RHAW and is being trained in the history and technique of but not limited too Campbell Locking, Popping, B-boying, Hip-hop and House.
Samantha Schneider
A Philadelphia native and currently completing her BFA in Dance at The Arizona State University. Samantha received her dance training prior to her college career in the tri-state area. She danced for many years at First Position M.A.C where she was on Mixturez Dance Co. She was fortunate enough to train under the talented Cesa Zungia, Moncell Durden, Vince Johnson and with many others. Her Philadelphia performances include the 76ers, Philadelphia Zoo, the Aids Walk, the Mann Music Center, and the Harlem Globe Trotters. During High School she founded and choreographed for the Lower Merion Dance Team, which continues to provide opportunity and exposure of dance to many students.
Her degree as a Dance Major has been focused on Post-Modern Contemporary technique; however, while in Arizona Samantha has continued her hip hop training under the wonderful Bboy Remind, Bboy House, Bboy Ynot, Mario Velez Jr., Jojo Diggs and others. She performed with the Hip-Hop Collation at the Suns game, Monster's of Hip-Hop showcase and a wide variety of community events. Recently, Samantha teamed up with a few dancers she is closest with to organize, choreograph and dance at the Kobe Bryant Gym Honorary Performance at Lower Merion High School. Samantha has performed with rap legend Schooly D, was the principal dancer for one of Jojo Diggs latest works "Third Eyes View", and has organized a team of dancers to provided a free dance camp for the displaced children of New Orleans for the last couple years.
Samantha feels truly blessed for her bi-coastal and crossed-discipline training. She is excited to see where else her journey with dance will move her and the opportunities it will present her with; however, no matter where Samantha is the beautiful dancers in Philadelphia will remain in her heart like a family.
