Samantha Salters

Teaches at Joy of Motion Dance Center

Samantha Salters is a native of Washington, D.C. that began her dance training in local dance schools, churches, camps, and studios. Samantha had an early interest in Hip-hop technique that led to a deep appreciation for the preservation of dance of the African Diaspora such as; West African, Afro-Cuban, Afro-modern, and liturgical dance styles. She went onto earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from Kent State University, where she was awarded the Dance Faculty Creative Achievement Award for her choreography. Immediately following her graduation from KSU, she attended the University of Colorado Boulder and earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Dance alongside a Certificate in Ethnic (Africana) Studies. Upon attending UCB, Samantha was selected for the Gail Pokoik Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a single graduate student each year based on their talent and commitment to the arts. She has trained in classical ballet, modern, jazz, West African technique from Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, as well as Hip-hop, house, and social and liturgical dance styles of Cuba. Samantha has traveled to Ghana, West Africa, Arcata, California, and Rochester, New York for dance research under sponsorship. She has performed under the direction of Ananya Chatterjea, Millicent Johnnie, Faye Driscoll, Gesel Mason, Dr.Amma Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin, Nii Armah Sowah,Maputo Mensah, Mecca Madyun, Larry Southall and Rennie Harris. She is currently a teaching and performing artist through Joy of Motion Dance Center, Coyaba Dance Theater, Ni Dembaya Drum and Dance Collective, and Farafina Kan’s:Traditional Expressions.