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founded Soul In Motion Players, Inc. in 1984. Michael wrote and debuted his first theatrical production entitled, We Are Africa in 1991. His other works include Henrietta Marie, Malcolm, What If., and Ile Ife – House of Love. He started his music/acting career in 1969 with the world renowned Arthur Hall Afro-American Dance Ensemble and Theatre Advocate, in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. Friend furthered his studies at Fisk University and graduated Howard University in 1981, receiving his B.A. degree in Communications. Michael has gone on to record/perform nationally and internationally, including a Jazz tour in 1989 to Cameroon, West Africa. As a percussionist, Michael performed with The Four Kings of Rhythm and Blues for over 10 years, featuring Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Ben E. King, and Lloyd Price. Friend’s regional accomplishments include performing in the Arena Stage production of Derrick Walcott’s The Odyssey and with The Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Kennedy Center. He’s a former board member of several local arts organizations: Black Rock Center for the Arts, Joe’s Movement Emporium, and The Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County – serving as Vice President of Grants for 3 years. In 2011, as director of Soul in Motion, Michael won the prestigious Montgomery County Executive’s Community Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities, in 2014 he was the recipient of the Empower Magazine Player Award, on March 19, 2016 Joe’s Movement Emporium honored Michael as a Mighty Joe with the Creative Visionary Award, and in 2023 Michael was presented with the Heritage Award & the Creativity Award from Maryland State Arts Council.
graduated from the Performing Arts School of Philadelphia and continued her dance training at Freedom Theater, Philadanco and the University of Maryland where she received her Bachelors in art. After graduating, Pamela joined the company of Afro-One Dance, Drama and Drum Theater where she danced for 5 years before receiving her Masters degree in physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh.
is one of the newest members of Soul In Motion. She has been studying African drumming with Papa Aziz for several years now. Rashid enjoys hanging out at Malcolm X Park on any given Sunday and observing and participating in the vibrant percussion circles. She is also an active member of the DMV Senior Hand Dancers. Rashid is a natural when it comes to playing Duns and we are blessed to have her in the Soul In Motion Family.
is currently a member of the Collectif Project. She studied Exercise & Sport Science at Temple University and Exercise Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
received her BFA degree in 2014 from Towson State University. She is the founder/director of the The Collectif Project, a ministry based collective of professional dancers. Megan has performed for Common, Estelle, Teyana Taylor, Brandy, Monica Sammie, Wondaboy, Ashley T. Moore and PatriceLive.
is originally from NY City where he attended James Monroe High School in Bronx, NY. He later went on to study Liberal Arts at Howard University in Washington, DC. Quote from FB: “I am never at a performance just to make a dollar. I always play with the intent to move Nyama or the spiritual energy that flows through living beings and that connects us to our ancestors. I AM NOT A MASTER DRUMMER….I AM A SERVANT drummer OF MY PEOPLE AND MY ANCESTORS a praise drummer for the most High.”
brings a lifelong practice with over two decades of international experience and high artistic acclaim to his roles as an artist-scholar born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. He is a choreographer, educator, administrator, curator, musician, and performer. He holds an M.F.A, Dance Performance, and Choreography from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also graduated from Ohio University (OU) with an M.A in African Studies and B.F.A in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Ghana, Legon. He is a co-recipient of the International Program for Creative Collaboration & Research Grant.
from Gary, Indiana is a recurring member of Soul In Motion who has been performing and teaching West African Dance in the DMV for over 30 years. She’s studied and worked with the National Ballet of the Republic of Guinea as well as with several African Dance companies. She loves the spirit of African Dance and enjoys performing in the arts and sharing her talents with young people. She’s currently a staff member with the Taratibu Youth Association.
has been a part of the Soul In Motion family for almost 3 decades. Born in West Philadelphia, Jumbe has been a enthusiastic drummer/performer since his days of entertaining with his family group, The Gilliam Brothers, as percussionist and vocalist. In addition to performing with Soul In Motion, Jumbe is a percussionist with Luis Garay’s Percussion World Ensemble.
was born and raised in Washington, DC. She spent her youth performing in musical theater and studying many forms of dance including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and Caribbean dance. After attending Howard University, she lived in Tallahassee Florida for 16 years where she focused on West-African, Afromodern, and Haitian dance forms.
is a native of Norfolk, VA. She studied under Baba Kenyatta Henry which excelled her interest in the drum. Kimberly graduated the University of District of Columbia with a degree in Nursing.
has distinguished herself as a talented and spirited musician. Although she has played different genres of music over the years, the native Washingtonian undoubtedly developed an ear for the fullness and richness of the drum at an early age.
is a native Houstonian who has studied West African dance since 2002. Though she’s been a student of various dance genres, she has a special love for African dance. In 2008 she traveled to Senegal to learn about dance origins.
is a master djembe and dununba player in the DMV. He’s also an avid supporter of Mousai’s mission and services. Malari has been a member of Farafina Kan since 2005. He currently is a teacher at the Paul Public Charter School in Washington, DC.
is a a dancer, creative, proud mother of 2 beautiful girls, and a native of Washington, DC. She’s been dancing since the age of 3 when she started performing with the Anointed Dance Ministry led by Christina Broadnax. Andrea is a choreographer for Wise High School Dance and is a proud member of the Collectif Project.
started doing African Dance in 1999 with Marcus and Jevelle Robinson’s African Caribbean Dance Theater in Tallahassee, Florida. In 2002, she joined the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble under the direction of Mama Kadiatou Conte when she had the opportunity to dance nationally including the Kennedy Center in DC, Florida, Pennsylvania and the United Nations in NYC. She joined Soul in Motion in 2014, after participating in the Summer Intensive Program and is happy to be a part of group that is dedicated to sharing the tradition of West African Dance. Terryn’s a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and since retirement she has continued her job as a nurse practitioner while also exploring her passion for dance and group fitness. Terryn currently teaches Zumba, indoor cycling and aqua fitness.
born in Springfield, MA, began his performance career with the Frank Hatchett School of the Performing Arts. While attending Howard University, he performed and recorded with the Jazz Ensemble. Later he moved to Brazil and performed with Folkorica do Bahia, Ara Ketu, and Agbeokuta.
affectionately known and goes by the name, “She”. She trains in all forms of dance, but especially enjoys African and modern contemporary dance. Sheena is always on fire to learn a move and simply can’t get enough of dance.
is a native of Lanham MD and mother of 3 special children. Sylvia Soumah led her to African dance and drum, Malari Moore helped connect it to her heart, and Soul In Motion made her dream come true.
has worked as a studio engineer at Black Entertainment Television (BET) and with the legendary Lloyd Price, recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to his lighting and sound contributions, Keith has been involved with the success of SIMPINC for over a decade. Our productions run trouble-free due to his committed involvement to assure that “everything runs smoothly” for us and the client. We know we have the best tech guy in the business.
is currently the Technical Director for Drumline Live. He is the owner of BD Productions – bringing light to the film and television industry for over 20 years. As a graduate from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Keith’s industry credits are numerous including employment at Black Entertainment Television (BET).
is the owner of GBop Studio, a vodcast studio located in Montgomery County, MD and the host of the Getting Out of My Comfort Zone podcast. In 2021, Jabari started his own clothing line named Rebellion Clothing, LLC, highlighting a top quality sport line for the young and young at heart.
has been the official company photographer for approximately 25 years. Aaron’s brilliant eye through the lens has captured many of the ensemble’s top memorable moments. His work is noticed on this site and the various SIMPINC social media platforms. He is the founder of The Davis Project, a movement created to help erase the stigma of depression and mental illness through the art of photography, written and verbal testimony.
Soul In Motion Players, Inc is funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Rockville Rotary Club & the Juneteenth Scotland Foundation, Inc.
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