Naomi Kinslow began training with Sundance under the leadership of Danny Diallo Hinds, studying percussion, ballet, tap, jazz, Caribbean, West African and vocal training. From there, she perfected her craft with Muntu Dance Theatre under the tutelage of Amaniyea Payne, along with Vaune Blalock, Idy Ciss, Moustapha Bangoura, Aissatou Bey, and Harry Detry. Kinslow’s experience with MDT allowed her to study with Jeffrey L. Page, Asiel Hardison, Ron K. Brown, Abdel Salaam, Kwame Opare, Diedre Dawkins, Rosangela Silvestre, Cleo Parker Robinson, Babacar Ndiaye and many more. She furthered her studies of West African drumming with teachers/percussionists: Aly M’baye, Sekou Conde, and Tosha “Ayo” Alston. In 2007, she became a founding member of Ayodele Drum and Dance. She broadened her studies in Silvestre technique, Orisha dance, Guinean-style dance, and doun dance and continued to studying with Mouminatou Camara, Weedie Braimah, Bolokada Cond. She has returned to Muntu and is currently serving as dance captain. After almost 20 years of training and professionally performing, Kinslow is fully committed to preserving the integrity and legacy of Black & African diasporic dance. “Dance is my difference between living and existing!” ~ Naomi Kinslow