photo by steed media service

Nzhingha Camara has seen and done it all in the world of dance. From music videos to film and television, she has placed an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of the purists of the profession. As a fitting tribute to all that she has accomplished, Camara was recently appointed the new African dance instructor at the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy. A native of Kansas City, Mo., Camara made the trek to Los Angeles at the tender age of 19 in pursuit of her passion. That passion was crystallized upon taking a West African dance class in 1976.

"I was always enthusiastic about dance, and would always teach people the latest dances," she fondly recalls. "But when I stepped into my first West African dance class, it was as if I was home. I knew that I would be spending my life immersed in this art form." That premonition couldn't have been more dead-on as Camara has spent the last 30 years tirelessly working to not only better herself in the art form, but to also impart the ways of African dance to others.

"This is definitely a passion of mine," she explains. "And the privilege of being able to share it with others at the Debbie Allen Dance [Academy] is such an honor. I have collaborated with Debbie before, but this is by far the culmination of all of our work together. I'm looking forward to all of the great moments in dance that this position will create."-dewayne rogers

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