RockReach was created in 2000 to provide Philadelphia’s youth with high-quality arts interaction, developing self-confidence and creativity through creative movement. The program improves academic and social skills, broadens interests, and engages students in artistic expression. RockReach continues to present unique in-school and after-school dance and bucket drumming classes from September through June in school with little or no arts education offering.
ROCKREACH FACULTY
ANNE WHITE | ROCKREACH DIRECTOR
Anne White was born in New York state, started dancing at age six, and was accepted at age eleven into The School of American Ballet in New York City, where she studied for eight years. Additionally, she has studied and attended workshops with Twyla Tharp, Maggie Black, Sara Rudner, Wilhelm Burmann, David Howard, Doug Elkins, Ann Reinking, and Joe Goode. In 1988 Anne joined Off Center Ballet, directed by Christopher d'Amboise. She performed in NYC at Dance Theater Workshop, Westbeth Theater, Bruno Walter Auditorium, The Painted Bride in Philadelphia, and Jacobs Pillow. In 1990 Anne joined The Pennsylvania Ballet, also under the direction of Christopher d'Amboise, where she performed for eight seasons dancing lead roles in works by George Balanchine, Peter Martins, Paul Taylor, Hans Van Manen, Lar Lubovich, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, John Cranko, Doug Elkins and Alvin Ailey among others. She originated roles in works choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, Kevin O’Day, David Parsons, Rennie Harris, and Tony Rizzi. Anne was featured in the PBS WHYY- TV Pennsylvania Ballet spotlight documentaries “Da Mummy Nyet Mummy” and “Philadelphia Muses.” Anne has also performed at FringeArts, The Arden Theater, The Arts Bank, The Wilma Theater, WHYY theater with artists Paule Turner, Myra Bazell, Pig Iron Theater Co, Melanie Stewart, Moncell Durden, Ilse Pfeifer, Mum Puppettheater and Phrenic New Ballet and was active as a performer, costumer, and organizer of Shut Up And Dance, Pennsylvania Ballet Dancer’s annual benefit performance for MANNA in Philadelphia from 1993 through 1999. Anne toured
with singer Alanis Morissette as the assistant to choreographer Kevin O'Day and appeared in her music video “So Pure.” She served as rehearsal director for choreographers Jorma Elo and Itamar Serussi and performed in Jerome Bel's works & "The Show Must Go On" and “Gala,” all presented at FringeArts. Anne has taught Ballet technique and repertory at Rowan University, Bryn Mawr College, and Drexel University.
Anne has held positions as an Employer Representative for The Marriott Family Foundation’s Bridges From School To Work Program, Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of the Arts, Education and Community Manager at BalletX.
KELLY RAMBO | Dance Teaching Artist
Kelly is a graduate of Drexel University with a BA in Marketing and is a multi-talented dance professional successfully managing a career as a performer and teacher for over 20 years. Her skills as a dancer have taken her all over the world. Kelly forged a path with ILLADELPH PHLAVE, one of Philadelphia’s longest-standing breaking companies, and has toured as one of the primary dancers of Olive Dance Theatre, a nationally recognized breaking company. She trained and traveled with breaking pioneer artists of the famous Rock Steady Crew, Ken Swift, and Olive Dance Theatre’s “Swift Solos” 1st North American Tour. Kelly worked as a Teaching Artist for over three years in the Barnes Foundation's education program and at First Position Dance Arts studio, where she was a key contributor to developing the hip-hop program and was one of the longest-tenured dance instructors. Kelly also supported the establishment of Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective, a non-profit that continues to provide philanthropic assistance and encouragement to children worldwide through dance. She traveled and taught dance to aid in their mission, assisting and nurturing children affected by natural, environmental, and socio-economic disasters, including New Orleans, Haiti, and North Philadelphia. A painting of Kelly dancing in the second largest mural in the world as a part of the How Philly Moves project is on view at The Philadelphia International Airport.
For over ten years, Kelly has served as a RockReach Teaching Artist and is a hip-hop dancer and educator who embraces the culture's evolution while maintaining its foundational elements. She wishes to continue learning and grow as a dancer and teacher.
KEVIN D. HARRIS II | Dance Teaching Artist
Kevin D. Harris II began dancing as a tween growing up in North Philadelphia. His first foray into dance was as a street dancer developing his skills as a breaker. He cut his hip hop teeth performing with Project Positive, a Philadelphia based dance organization that uses Hip Hop to educate, empower, engage, and inspire the youth and community. Kevin graduated from The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts where he continued his dance journey training in other dance disciplines including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, contemporary, and African Diasporic Drum and Dance. Kevin graduated in 2021 from Ursinus University with a degree in dance and philosophy.
He has performed with Universoul Circus, Chocolate Ballerina Company, Philadelphia Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Washington D.C Cherry Blossom Parade, City Beats TV.
Kevin is committed to sharing his passion for dance and education and inspiring the next generations of artists. He has trained with National Dance Institute in NYC and BalletX and continues to hone his skills as an educator, spreading his love for all expressions of dance, and inspiring young students to value themselves and their communities through dance and music.
TREYSHAWN HOSKINS | Dance Teaching Artist
TreyShawn first started dancing in Philadelphia local theater productions where he was scouted and given a scholarship to join a dance studio in his hometown. From there, he continued to train in styles such as Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Jazz. After graduating high school, he attended the University of the Arts. Here, he was able to work with new artists such as Kimberly Bears-Bailey and Tommie Waheed Evans on outside projects as well as in the classroom. He is currently working at Society Hill Dance Academy, a ballroom studio based in South Philadelphia. His current mission is to find the intersection between Ballet and Ballroom.
JOSHUA SHAFFER | RockReach Music Curriculum Designer & Music Teaching Artist
Joshua Shaffer, a native of Richmond, Virginia, began playing drums at age nine. Once he started playing in church, Joshua quickly got called to play in local bands around Richmond when he was in middle school. At 18, Joshua moved to Philadelphia to study drums with world-renowned drum educator Steve Fidyk at Temple University. While at Temple, he played drums on Angy Estrada’s debut album, Latin Pulse, and frequently gigged around Philly with his band, The Joshua Shaffer Project. Since graduating in 2017, Joshua has toured around the country with folk artist Justin Gambino, played drums on numerous records, and has co-created a record label called RIPE MUSIC. When he is not on the road, Joshua enjoys inspiring youth in Philadelphia through his involvement as a live musician for BalletX’s in-school dance program, Dance eXchange, The curricular Designer and Music Teaching Artist with RockReach, and his unique drumming program called No Fun Drums. His mission is to inspire every student to find their unique way of creating and expressing themselves. Joshua joined The Rock Reach team in 2022.
DONOVAN POPE | Music Teaching Artist
Originally from the D.M.V. area, Donovan Pope's love for music started at a young age. At age seven, he began playing the drums and was heavily influenced by funk, R&B, and hip-hop music. At 17, he moved to Philadephia to study jazz at Temple University. At Temple, he studied and performed with jazz greats such as Sean Jones, Justin Faulkner, Vince Mendoza, Brian Lynch, and Dick Oatts. Donovan is featured on three studio recordings and one live recording with the Temple University Jazz Band, one nominated for two GRAMMY awards in 2020 in the best instrumental composition and best arrangement categories. Today Donovan performs regularly in and around Philadelphia and loves bringing people joy through music. Donovan joined Rock Reach as a Music Teaching Artist in 2022.
DAN VALENZUELA | Music Teaching Artist
Daniel Valenzuela was born in South Jersey, raised in Delaware, and bloomed in Philadelphia. Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist who, throughout his career, has been involved in numerous productions & performances. He is a touring musician associated with artists such as Marielle Kraft and OJ Mountain. Daniel has performed as a pit musician for many musical theatre productions such as "Footloose" and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." He has performed in esteemed ensembles, including The Delaware Music Educators Association All-State Choir and the Kent County Honors Band. Dan has received special instruction and direction from renowned conductors, composers, and educators such as Brian Balmages, Robert W. Smith, and Leonard Knight Jr. Daniel has extensive experience in musical instruction ranging from individual instrument lessons to clinic work with choral ensembles in various programs and communities in the greater Delaware & Philadelphia areas. He has developed unique approaches to teaching rhythms and musical concepts in a practical and performance-focused method. Daniel joined The Rock Reach team as a Music Teaching Artist in 2022.
