Each instructor has a very unique background and bring a lot to table at Funk Fusion.
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Funk Fusion Dance Company creates dancers, performers, entertainers, and instructors. We are always looking to build our staff. Contact us today.
CHANTE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LaTonya Chante, head teacher and choreographer for Funk Fusion Dance Company, has been dancing for over 30 years and won numerous awards for dance, business, and being a community leader. She has taught at studios across the state, trained in many different art forms, and currently runs after school programs in the state of Arkansas. Her non-profit organization, Arkansas Kids After School Network, gives back to the community in many different ways. The passion and dedication from Ms. Chante is heartfelt and shows when she enters a room.
A few of her accomplishments are:
UDA All-Star and Drill Down Queen during High School
She has worked with Debbie Allen of FAME at the University of Central Arkansas
Choreographer of the Liberty Bowl in Memphis featuring Clint Black
Many awards for different dance and pageant competitions
2002 Miss Essence of the University of Central Arkansas,
2003 Miss Black and Gold of the University of Central Arkansas
Won talent, swimsuit, evening gown in the pageants listed above
Modeling Contract with Page Parkes in Houston, TX
University of Central Arkansas dance team choreographer 2005
Morrilton High School dance team choreographer 2006
4 years dancing professional for the Arkansas Twisters Arena Football
2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
Miss Dance Arkansas 2005
Pageant Choreographer for Miss Black Arkansas USA and Miss Latina Arkansas
Professional dancer and choreographer for Miss Gay America and USA
Long-Term Sub for Little Rock Public Schools, Parkview, Dance Department
2013 Business of the Year from the Conway Chamber for Economic Development
Dance and Acting teacher at Maumelle Gymnastics and Cheer for 2 years.
3 years choreographer for Cabot Dance Academy
Arkansas Kids After School Network - Founder of nonprofit organization
SYNT
COMPANY DIRECTOR
Through choreography, creative direction & vocal performance, SHAI’ is clawing his way into the limelight. Arkansas native, SHAI’(Stay Humble And Inspire), is an up and coming artist/creative with quite a few notches in his belt.
From university coronations, pageants, high energy classes and innovative visuals, SHAI is bringing a fresh air approach to Hip Hop and the dance community as a whole. His background includes, but is not limited to; a decade of training and performing under Funk Fusion Academy, Philander Smith College’s pageants and royal Coronations, Head Asst. Choreographer for Fulfheel.ing Experience, Owner & Founder of the Anonymous Dance Ensemble and Vanity Majorette Collective, training under FullOut Courtland(Doja Cat), Robert Green(Taylor Swift), Cisco(PURR Movement) & SheMeka Ann(Heel’d Dance Co).
Specializing in Hip-Hop, Contemporary & Sensuality, he also pulls influences and studies Majorette, Jazz, Lyrical & Dance Foundations. His style is always mixed w/ a slew of genres and full of energy, character and emotion; an aesthetic you’ll definitely want to be a part of.
TAYLOR
TUMBLING AND DANCE
Since childhood, Conway native, Taylor Conway has been passionate about the performing arts. Taylor is a creative that flows between poetry & songwriting, singing, screenwriting, acting, and dancing.
She’s performed in musicals, protests, recitals, churches, visuals, and for various organizations in the Arkansas community. She has taught dance to children ranging from 7-16 and adults for over four years. She is well-versed in liturgical, lyrical, hip-hop, and sensual heels dancing.
Taylor comes with an eclectic approach to choreography, mixing genres, vibes, and emotions, bringing dancers and artists an energy that creativity can thrive in.
ASHLEY
MAJORETTE AND HEELS
My name is Ashley Nicole and I’m from El Dorado, AR. I attend The University of Central Arkansas, majoring in Innovation & Entrepreneurship! I specialize in the genres majorette, jazz, and heels and live by the motto to “Be you unapologetically but never forget your roots!” I’ve been dancing and training over the past 10 years and serving in leadership roles such as: Coach for The Southern Belles Dance Company, The President of Dancers United (a collegiate dance team), The Captain of The Fulfheel.ing Experience (a heels-based performance team), a Two-Year Captain of The Southern Belles Dance Company (a high school majorette team), and more!
I love being a vessel to the younger and even older generations so even though my classes will be a push, it’s only to enhance your technical development & performance!