Revelations Celebration Community Workshop

Amos Machanic, Jr. (Miami, FL) is currently a Teaching Artist with Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. Mr. Machanic studied dance at the New World School of the Arts and continued his training at The Ailey School, where he was a fellowship recipient. Mr. Machanic was a member of Ailey II and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his years with the company, Mr. Machanic had the pleasure of traveling across the globe. In 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison and now enjoys being a freelance artist and teacher.

Cheryl Rowley-Gaskins (Miami, FL) is currently a Teaching Artist for Ailey Arts In Education & Community programs. Cheryl began her dance training over 20 years ago. She is currently training at New World School of the Arts and The Ailey School. Mrs. Rowley-Gaskins was a member of Ailey II for three seasons and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for five seasons. She has studied various dance forms, including Horton, Graham, Limon, Dunham, West African, Afro-Caribbean, Tap, and Hip Hop. Currently, Mrs. Rowley-Gaskins is also with AileyCamp Miami. She enjoys inspiring kids and teaching freedom of expression and individuality through dance movement.

Roderick Jackson (Cleveland, OH) is currently a Teaching Artist and Percussionist for Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. He began his interest in percussive music at age 10. In 1990, his relocation to New York City propelled intensive study of the rhythms, dances, and instruments involved in multiple cultures, including those of Afro-Brazilian, West African, South African, Angolan, Korean, and Haitian origin. Mr. Jackson was formerly the music director for Batoto Yetu Children’s African Dance Company and has collaborated with several additional dance companies, including Chet walker’s Eight and Ah 1 Dance Ensemble, Omar Edwards’ Jeremiah Funk Ensemble, David Pleasant’s Riddim Athon Percussion Ensemble, and Young Soon Kim’s White Wave Rising Dance Company. Mr. Jackson has also recorded commercial works for The Children’s Television Workshop, Sesame Street, Rabbit Ears Productions, Nickelodeon, Angelina Ballerina, The Smithsonian Institute, and the motion picture Beloved. Mr. Jackson has been a faculty member at several notable dance institutions, including Jacob’s Pillow, the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at New York University and The Ailey School. He currently teaches Percussion and African Dance for Earl Mosely’s Institute of the Arts and is the founder of Palms Down Percussion, a company that creates percussion-based music CD’s for dance and creative movement.