Instructors

Instructors

All instructors and staff members have been selected because of their commitment to the Lord, heart of excellence displayed through their special abilities, and their dedication to the vision of Spirit Wings.

Anica C. Scott-Garrell (Boston, MA) studied at the Boston Ballet School for eight years. She later trained with the Boston Conservatory and Jeannette Neill Dance Studio. Upon graduating with honors from the Ailey/ Fordham BFA program in 2005, Anica toured nationally with Ailey II. In 2007, Ms. Scott- Garrell performed in the Cirque du Soleil show ‘Le Reve’ at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas. She has had the opportunity to work with notable artists and choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden, Ronald K. Brown, Nathan Trice, Jennifer Muller, Matthew Neff and Tricia Brouk. She has held apprenticeships with the Boston Dance Collective, as well as, Complexions Contemporary Dance Company. She is an instructor at the Boden Center for the Performing Arts in New York. She has been a member of Spirit Wings Dance Company for the past year!

Lisa Bell Muhammad

Zumba Instructor

The year was 1973...Lisa Muhammad entered the world of dance at the ripe old age of 3 at the Bernice Hammond School of Dance. By age 9, Lisa decided that dance would be a permanent part of her life and thus became a student of ballet at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet where she studied under Lynn Welters-Newman and Sandra Fortune-Greene from 1978-1982.

Lisa's technical training was in the field of ballet, she thrived in liturgical/lyrical dance under the tutelage of Mrs. Mitchell. Lisa danced with the ministry of dance from 1981-1986 when Mrs. Mitchell put into effect the vision that God had placed on her heart: Spirit Wings Dance Company. Lisa danced with Spirit Wings from 1986 until she went away to college in 1988. From the years of 1989-1998, Lisa periodically returned to dance with Spirit Wings Dance Company for special events or to assist with auditions. It was through Spirit Wings Dance Company that Lisa developed a true love for God and a love for worship through dance.

Lisa is a loving wife and a mother of two sons. She is an 18+ year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of the District of Columbia and a master's from Johns Hopkins University. She still loves to dance and has incorporated fitness into her lifestyle as well. She is an AFAA certified group exercise instructor and owns a boxing and martial arts studio with her husband Yusuf.

Zenas Tobi Okanlawon (Bowie, MD) is a young woman of virtue who strives towards excellence in the art of dance technically and through her worship. She was born and raised in Maryland and is of Nigerian nationality. Her mother was the one who first introduced her to the art of dance, noticing her gifting, and enrolled her in classes. She is currently studying in Towson University's Department of Dance. She has been dancing with Spirit Wings since the age of 9 and has grown not only as a dancer but a gifted leader. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, arts and crafts, music, and other creative arts. She lives by the Word in that if you “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, [and] God-provisions, [you don’t have to] worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met!” - Matthew 6:33 (Message). Zenas’s love for dance stems from it being her God ordained purpose. It serves as a source of healing by providing a balance of joy and challenge that she enjoys. Dance is how she serves, impacts, and hopes to assist in turning the world for God’s purpose!

Ainisha Persaud

Studio Administrative Assistant, Children's Class Assistant

Ainisha Persaud began dancing as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. She joined Spirit Wings Dance Studio and Company in 1996 after completing graduate school. She danced with Spirit Wings until she got married in 2000. She then worked for several seasons backstage with lighting and stage direction.

Ainisha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Largo. She also works with the local detention center conducting psychotherapy groups with female inmates. She is a member of the governing board of a local charter school. In her spare time she is a creative consultant for weddings and other milestone events.

She and her husband, Mani, have been married for 10 years and are proud to have produced three more members of the Spirit Wings family, Anand (7), Arya (5) and Azana (4).

Jennifer Randolph
Studio Administrative Assistant, Children's Class Assistant
Jennifer Ama Randolph was born in Winneba Oceanside Village in Ghana West Africa. She has formally studied African dance with KanKouran West African Dance Company under Mr. Assane Konte. She has been dancing with him since the age of nine old.

Her passion to worship God with her gift of dance led her to seek refinement and submit to the anointed mentorship of Dr. Sandy A. Mitchell. In 2009 Jennifer formally commenced her studies of Ballet, Modern, and Jazz with Spirit Wings. Jennifer is a graduate from Laurel High School & is pursing a degree in culinary artistry.

Glenda Ward
Ballet, Modern & Tap Instructor
Glenda Ward began dance training at the age of 5 in Worcester, Massachusetts. She studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Pointe through 11th grade in high school in intense programs with a competitive focus. In college, Glenda learned the art of dancing for fun again and took college level dance classes and danced in a variety of student run programs and shows. The highlight of these dancing years was participating in a special, select dance ensemble that danced for and met, Ms Katherine Dunham.

After college, Glenda hung up her dancing shoes for about 6 years and really never expected to dance again. But by the sovereignty of God, she was re-introduced into the love of dance partnered with a saving relationship with Jesus Christ at Hope Christian Church (HCC). Through the HCC Dance Ministry, Glenda came under the tutelage of Dr. Sandy Mitchell and began a discipleship and training process that has been life transforming. For the next approximately 9 years, Glenda served in leadership roles with HCC Dance ministry, serving as director for several. She still substitute teaches and ministers with ministry when requested. Through this process, Glenda joined Spirit Wings Dance Company and Studio in 2003. She has toured with the Company as well as taught dance classes. She started a generational trend; all of her daughters have danced with Spirit Wings. Two of her daughters, Naomi and Kadijah are present Company members.

Kadijah Ward
Children's Ballet & Modern Instructor
Kadijah Ward began taking dance classes at the age of 3. She commenced her journey of growth with Spirit Wings Dance Company and studio at the age of 6. Since then she has matured in both character and technique. As a member of the Senior Company for the last two years, Kadijah serves as a teacher assistant. Along with dancing with Spirit Wings she has also participated in Hope Christian Church’s Dance Ministry.

She is presently a junior at Laurel High School and an honors student studying in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. Along with her passion for dance, Kadijah enjoys playing the violin and has been a recent member of the Prince George’s County Senior Youth Orchestra. Other interests and activities include treasurer of the Student Government Association, Model United Nations, and National Honors Society. Kadijah is a leader in her generation and has an intense passion to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.