Company/Studio Founding Artistic Director - Sandy Mitchell, is a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Howard University, with a BA degree in Communications and a minor in Drama/Dance. She is also a graduate of The American University with a MA degree in Performing Arts, Friends International Christian University with a Doctorate Degree of Ministry in Religious Dance, a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies and a graduate of Faith Bible College and Seminary with a degree in Theology. Mrs. Mitchell is a licensed minister and the founding artistic director of Spirit Wings Dance Company, which began as a local church dance ministry in 1981 and Spirit Wings Dance Studio, which began in the summer of 1993 at The American University. A gifted singer, dancer, actress, and teacher of God's heart for the arts, she proclaims the marriage of passionate obedience and excellence in all she does. Sandy is acclaimed nationally for her gifts and leadership in producing, directing & choreographing dramatic productions and solo dancers and dance teams. She has hosted & instructed dance workshops throughout the United States & abroad, worked as the artistic advisor for Georgetown University's Dance program, as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Bowie State University, an instructor for the Washington Performing Arts Society’s summer program (Washington, DC).and has choreographed for High Point High School’s Concert Choir (Beltsville, MD).

Based out of Hope Christian Church in Lanham, Maryland under the leadership of Bishop Harry & Pastor Michele Jackson, Sandy brings anointing through her ministry and the ministry of those whom she teaches. Sandy and her husband Chevist have been married for 22 years and reside in Laurel, Maryland.

Chandini Gilchrist

Company/Studio Assistant Artistic Director

Rehearsal Director, Instructor & Choreographer

Chandini Gilchrist has been apart of Spirit Wings since 1999 where she has traveled across the United States and abroad with the company.  She is a magna cum laude graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance where she performed works by noted and nationally acclaimed choreographers such as Nai-Ni Chin, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Stephanie Powell, Matthew Rushing, Paul Taylor, Dion Wilson, and Michael Utoff. She is also the recipient of the Washington Post Music and Dance Award. Chandini is trained in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe and African dance. She was an inaugural member of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Apprentice Company under the direction of Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott. Chandini’s passion for God fuels her passion for the arts and her continual desire for growth. She is committed to the vision of Spirit Wings and continues to support the ministry and the standard by which God has set.

Matthew Williams

Company/Studio Business Administrator

Assistant Director, Instructor & Choreographer

A native of Atlanta, Georgia he has been with Spirit Wings for the past four years as a company member, rehearsal director, studio instructor and now as an assistant director.  Before joining Spirit Wings, Matthew trained extensively for five years as a fellowship student at the Ailey School (The official school for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) and the Joffrey Ballet School (summer 2000).  While at the Ailey School, he was a member of the Alvin Ailey Student Showcase Group (AASSG) under the direction of Nasha Thomas-Schmitt where he had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as Earl Mosely, Fred Benjamin, David Parsons, Sean Curran, Paul Taylor, and Matthew Rushing.  He began his classical dance training under the tutelage of Waverly Lucas, the artistic director of The Ballethnic Dance Company in Atlanta, Georgia where he discovered his love for dance and has been doing it ever since.

Matthew Rushing

Artistic Advisor, Instructor & Choreographer

Matthew Rushing is a native of Los Angeles, California. He began his dance training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While attending the LACHSA, Matthew was the recipient of the prestigious Spotlight Awards at the Los Angeles Music Center, and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

After graduation, Mr. Rushing trained at the Ailey School in New York, New York. He then moved on to join the junior company, Ailey II. After performing with Ailey II for one year, he was promoted to The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the senior company.

Matthew is now in his 12th season with The Ailey Company. During his career, he has performed as a guest artist at ballet gala's in France, Russia, Canada, and Hungary. Mr. Rushing also danced for President Bill Clinton's first inaugural celebration. Most recently, he performed for The President of The United States of America, George W. Bush at The White House State Dinner in honor of The President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki. In Matthew's spare time, he enjoys choreographing and coaching young artist. He is the director of the dance division of the Boden Center for the Performing Arts in New York and has faithfully served the vision of Spirit Wings Dance Company for the past 5 years.