Soul In Motion Players is a non-profit performing arts organization, founded in 1984 by Percussionist Michael Friend, specializes in African Dance, African Drumming, Theatre, and Spoken Word. The ensemble is based in Rockville, MD and rehearses weekly at Joe's Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier, MD. Soul In Motion is directed by Michael Friend and Choreographer (Associate Director) Pam Lassiter Rhone.
The group performs in and around the Washington DC area at various festivals including the Washington Folk Festival, The Takoma Park Folk Festival, Dance Africa, Juneteenth Celebration in St. Mary's County, and Rockville's MLK Celebration.
The ensemble will traveled to Dakar Senegal in March/April 2011 to study with the Senegalese Ballet and to visit key cites including Goree Island.
In 2011, Soul In Motion received the prestigious Montgomery County Executive Community Award for Excellence in the Arts. Earlier that same year, the ensemble received a $4,000 grant from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County to provide free dance and drum classes in the historically Black community of Lincoln Park in Rockville, MD.
The group includes dancers: Pam Lassiter Rhone, Nikki Childress, Patina Strother, Monique Walker, Jennifer Jones, Re'Vonte Bradley, Charla Lewis, Amber Golden. The drum battery includes Michael Friend, Papa Aziz Ahmed, Abdou Muhammad, and Michelle Hutton.
Directors: Michael Friend, Artistic Director & Founder; Pam Lassiter Rhone, Associate Director; Nikki Childress, Assistant Associate Director; Keith Stephens, Technical Director; Patricia Stewart, Marketing Director;
More information on Soul In Motion is available on [1] - [2] - [3]