Charell Chestang a native of Philadelphia, PA began dancing at the age of 9 under the direction of Mrs. Cheryl Gains-Jenkins at the La-Cher-Tari Dance Studio.  Charell’s love for dance grew quickly as she extended her passion for the arts.  Charell studied in studios such as Progressive Center for Dance know known as Ms. Carol’s Center for Dance, Philadelphia Dance Arts,  Alvin Ailey, and the Pennsylvania Academy of The Ballet.  She also performed in dance companies: THJ Dance ensemble and Grace Dance Theater (Formerly known as The Company Grace) where her talent earned her the title of principle dancer.  

 

Ballet is Charell's forte and favorite genre of dance.  There are many great pioneers in dance that Charell has had the pleasure of studying under:

 

Marion Cuyjet (who took a special interest in Charell), John Hines, Craig “Spider” Moore, Elmer Skeets Ball, Delphine Mantz, Carol Butcher and Melvin Purnell just to name a few.

 

Charell’s commitment and dedication to dance was and still is inspiring!  After all of her teachings and experience it was destined for Charell to pioneer her very own dance studio and bring her unique vision to real life.  With humble beginnings in October of 1999 The Pointe! Dance Studio began in the basement of a Mt. Airy row home with 17 girls enrolled in the program.  Each year the program gained more and more students, and the recitals are known for leaving audiences in awe!.  

 

Charell’s love for the arts have touched the lives of many and remain in the hearts of the performers that she has so diligently trained.  

 

Ms. Charell is a Philadelphia Public school teacher that holds a BA in early childhood education, a masters in education and a master in leadership.  She loves spending time with her dancers, family, friends and most of al her daughter Alana and her fur baby Gabanna. 

Kareem B. Goodwin is a Philadelphia-based choreographer, dance educator, and artistic leader dedicated to nurturing the next generation of dancers through authentic training and bold, evocative choreography. Kareem began his formal dance training at the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center under the mentorship of Charon Mapp, Wayne St. David, Anthony Burrell, and the late Faye B. Snow — artists who instilled in him a deep belief in dance as a force for transformation and community. He continued his education at The University of the Arts, studying with acclaimed choreographers and master teachers such as Christopher L. Huggins, Louis Johnson, Ronen Koresh, Gary W. Jeter II, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Dara Meredith, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Zane Booker, and Arthur Mitchell. He specialized in Jazz Dance with an emphasis on Choreography and was awarded the Choreography Prize upon graduation. Kareem is also proud to have been nominated for the prestigious Princess Grace Award for Choreography.

 

Over the years, Kareem’s choreographic works have been commissioned and presented by renowned companies and institutions including Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Six O’Clock Dance Theatre, West Chester University, SUNY Oneonta, and Eleone Dance Theatre. He served as the Director of Grace Dance Theater 2 under the leadership of Stephanie Demby for 10 years, providing vital mentorship and professional training to emerging artists. Kareem is also the Resident Choreographer and Company Instructor for Dissonance Dance Theatre, where he co-created MUTE: Dance Silenced by COVID, a film that won Best Dance Film at the 2021 Cannes World Film Festival.

 

A dedicated educator, Kareem is an adjunct professor of jazz dance at Drexel University and is a sought-after choreographer and teacher across the United States. He has been a part of The Pointe! Dance Studio since 2011 as a guest choreographer for Straight to the Pointe! Dance Company and joined the TPDS Faculty in 2016. 

 

Kareem’s work is rooted in the belief that dance is both a tool for personal growth and a catalyst for social change. He continues to mentor young dancers, create powerful performance experiences, and carry forward the legacy of the artists and mentors who shaped him.