Dr. Sandy A. Mitchell a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a graduate of Howard University, with a BA Degree in Communication and a Minor in Drama/Dance. She is also a graduate of The American University with a MA Degree in Performing Arts, a graduate of Friends International Christian University with a Doctorate 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.

Dr. Mitchell is a licensed minister, a gifted performer and teacher of the arts. She proclaims the marriage of passionate obedience and excellence in all she does. She is acclaimed nationally and internationally for her gifts and leadership in producing, directing, training artists technically, spiritually & choreographing dramatic productions & pieces for dance soloists.

Dr. Mitchell is the founding artistic director of Spirit Wings Dance Company, with a mission of setting a standard of excellence in the art of dance. Based out of Laurel, Maryland this company ministers with extreme technical proficiency and the anointing of God.

Dr. Mitchell has instructed & choreographed for St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church Liturgical Dance Ministry (Washington, D.C.), The Boden Center for the Performing Arts (Bronx, New York), Clinton Christian School’s Vessels of Praise, (Upper Marlboro, MD), High Point High School’s Concert Choir (Beltsville, MD), Evangel Cathedrals’ Christmas Celebration (Upper Marlboro, MD) and Ron Kenoly’s “The Perfect Gift Tour.” She also has worked as the artistic advisor for Georgetown University's Dance Program (Washington, DC), as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Bowie State University (Bowie, MD), and as an instructor for the Washington Performing Arts Society’s summer program (Washington, DC). In 1993, Dr. Mitchell began Spirit Wings Dance Studio, a place designed to train dancers to set a standard of excellence academically, artistically, spiritually and in their daily walk before God & man.

Dr. Mitchell takes performance and worship quite seriously and has established and strengthened dancers and dance ministries in Kenya, South Africa, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, England, Germany, Trinidad, and throughout the United States with the sole purpose of making a celebration of excellent, anointed, glorious praise unto the Lord.

Based out of Hope Christian Church under the leadership of Bishop Harry & Pastor Michele Jackson, Dr. Mitchell brings anointing through her ministry and the ministry of those whom she teaches.

Married for 27 years this year to Chevist L. Mitchell, they 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 began his dance training with Kashmir Blake in Inglewood CA, and later continued his training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He received a Spotlight Award and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He trained at The Ailey School and later became a member of Ailey II, where he danced for a year. Mr. Rushing joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1992. During his career, Mr, Rushing has performed as a guest artist for galas in Vail, Colorado, as well as in France, Russia, Canada, Austria, and Italy. He has also performed for former presidents George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush as well for President Barack Obama. During his time with the Company he has choreographed two ballets: Acceptance in Surrender (2005), a collaboration with Company members Hope Boykin and Abdur Jackson, and Uptown (2009), a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance. Mr. Rushing became Rehearsal Director in June 2010. In Matthew's spare time, he enjoys choreographing and coaching young artists. He is the director of the dance division at Boden Center Performing Arts in Bronx, New York and has faithfully served the vision of Spirit Wings Dance Company for the past 5 years.