Deja Mitchell- NCM's Newest Member & Artistic Dance Instructor

Déja Mitchell has a Bachelor's degree in Modern Dance from Utah State University. She has studied African dance and drumming for 14 years with numerous renowned teachers. She teaches African-based movement in an invigorating atmosphere with polyrhythms, which are the basis of African dance. She helps her students explore the depth and cultural significance of the dances, while making the movement accessible to beginners. She also teaches traditional African drumming rhythms and Djembe techniques as well as other tribal styles in a facilitated drum circle environment.

Deja is a frequent performer and gives interactive and educational workshops for all ages. Performances and workshops are customized. Entertainment can include an African drumming ensemble with dance performance.

About African Dance

African dance embodies athleticism and graceful beauty flowing with rhythm. Traditional dance in Africa occurs collectively, expressing the life of the community. African dance utilizes the concepts of polyrhythms and total body articulation. The traditional dances are a means of marking the experiences of life, encouraging abundant crops, and healing. It is also done for pure enjoyment and building community.

Deja is an amazing addition to the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation Family and we look forward to building with her in the future.

If you are interested in participating in dance classes instructed by Deja please leave a message here or contact the NCM Foundation Director Amir A.H. Jackson via email amirjackson@NurturetheCreativeMind.com. Thank you

Our Wonderful Weber State Volunteers

Volunteers help with 'Blank Page' after school workshop.

'Blank Page' After School Workshop

(Students attend the blank page workshop)

The past week for the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation began with an after school workshop for our upcoming street magazine Blank Page. The kids have found their groove, the young students becoming more independent and self-sustaining are starting to run efficiently and effectively.

The next NCM workshop took place at Youth Impact a program that provides youth in the Ogden community a safe place to meet. We are working with a group of 6 girls who are writing a song about empowerment and self respect. a sample of the song is as follows "My name is Dominique. Before you even Speak. You have to recognize you must treat me like a queen. Its Tay-Tay over here. Lets get something clear only positivity in my space or else don't come near."

On Wednesday we conducted our 1st workshop with the YMCA after school program at Mt. Ogden. The kids were extremely attentive, responsive and energetic. We were only scheduled to do one workshop, but this changed after the Director of the program saw and appreciated the impact our methods had on the students. We are now planning an 8 week workshop with the program.

We ending our week as it was started...MAGICALLY! We had the opportunity and blessing to work with a group of 20 students at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Honestly I was a bit tentative about this. Uneasy if i would be able to relay the programs message effectively, but thankfully i was proven wrong and in an epic way. These kids were so creative and special. My heart was immediately filled and stolen by them.


- Amir