Company & Collaborators

Milanda McGinnis

Milanda Y. McGinnis, aka the Milanda SoulFlower, (Knoxville, TN) began her dance training at a young age. She holds a B.F.A. in Theater with a concentration in Dance from the University of Memphis. Since relocating to Greensboro,NC she has performed with Cyrus Art Production, as well as several seasons with SugarFoote Productions under the direction of Robin Gee. She specializes in contemporary and jazz, both influenced by her West African dance background. Milanda has been commissioned for several dances for area performing arts high schools, showcases for local artists, community events and festivals throughout North Carolina and Tennessee, and is a sought after teacher and performer as well. She is currently Rehearsal Director and a collaborator for JOYEMOVEMENT Dance Company, adjunct dance faculty at Winston Salem State University, and on staff at Dance Project : The School where she teaches modern, jazz, and Afro-rhythms. Milanda is also a RYT-200 from Dancing Dogs Yoga School (2018) and a graduate of Baptiste Institute Level 1 and Level 2 trainings (2020). Milanda also completed two meditation teacher trainings (2019) from Wildlight Wellness Center and Dancing Dogs Yoga and regularly leads yoga and meditation programs. In addition to public yoga classes, Milanda is the owner of SoulFlower Wellness, offering workshops, classes and events on intentional living for Black women.

Samantha McKinney

Samantha McKinney is a Dance Artist, Teacher, and Content Creator based in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Her formal dance training consists of ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance styles. McKinney received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past six years, McKinney has taught, performed, and choreographed dance works. She has choreographed and performed in venues along the east coast to include: Grace Street Theater, Dogtown Dance Theatre, Center for Performance Research, Old Rock School, and the Modlin Center for the Arts. While pursuing her dance career, McKinney also discovered a love for non-profit management and entrepreneurship. Therefore, McKinney was able to pursue and receive her MBA in Non-Profit Management from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her goal is to use her knowledge to help develop and grow non-profit organizations and social enterprises within the arts. McKinney is married to her wonderful husband, Mark. They are both Marine Corps Veterans, and love going for long walks in the park. McKinney is grateful and thrilled to begin her first season as a dance company member with JOYEMOVEMENT!

Annie Young

Annie Young is a performing dance artist local to Greensboro, North Carolina. Her dance education began at Dance Project : The School where she is now on teaching staff. Young is a graduate of Appalachian State University where she received her BA in Dance Studies with minor studies in somatic sustainability and psychology. Since returning to the Greensboro area, she has danced with JOYEMOVEMENT in ‘A Wicked Silence’ and the North Carolina Dance Festival with the Van Dyke Dance Group. Young is excited to be back for another season developing her career as a performing artist.

Lavinia Jackson, Poet

Lavinia Jackson is an award winning poet, author and community activist. She brings poetry to every space. From summer camps to libraries, the IRC to Reading Connections, her classroom is public. Her work has been featured in collaboration with JoyeMovement in "A Wicked Silence", which was filmed in both Lebauer and Center City parks. She was commissioned to create "Seen through" a poem to close Artist Karen Archia's Artist in Residency at the CVA. Lavinia curated both the poetry walk and the art boxes projects. The community has dubbed her Mama Love. She earned that name at the Artist Bloc.

Lilly Beaver, Apprentice

Lilly Beaver is a Junior at Elon University double majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography and Psychology with a minor in Teaching & Learning. Lilly began her dance training at a very young age in her hometown of Kannapolis, NC. During her time at Elon, she has had the opportunity to work with numerous artists and choreographers through works such as the Dancing in the Landscape, Fall, Spring, and Black History Month Dance Concerts. Lilly also has a passion for choreographing and teaching dance at local dance studios such as Miss Kim’s Children’s Dance and Arts. She could not be more grateful for this opportunity to grow as an artist and is excited to be an apprentice for her first season with JOYEMOVEMENT!