Phenese Johnson is a actress, singer, songwriter, a playwright visual artist and energy healer. She has been a teaching artist for more than 10 years and is currently apart of a non-profit touring ensemble. Throughout her career as a performing artist, Phenese has hosted Open mics for charity events and fundraisers. She has written and directed her own musical called "The Christmas Kids".
Gha'il Rhodes Benjamin is an award-winning spoken word performance recording artist, actress, educator, and self-empowerment speaker. Gha'il was most recently featured in "The Appel Room of Jazz" at Lincoln Center in collaboration with Senakwami's studio, with pianlist Julius Rodriguiez . For the third year in a row. Gha'il rocked the house as host/ performer in the 18th annual Fort Green Juneteenth Arts Festival Celebration. Ms. Benjamin's collaboration with Jeff Haynes on the CD Storm King with the late great Pete Seeger which was Grammy-nominated and the winner of The audiobook of the Year Award. (Publishers Weekly). Ms. Benjamin coaches and facilitates an array of self empowerment workshops and is featured in filmmaker Al Santana's Reparation Blues, and China Colston's DARK SEED and SWEET THANG. via her own production company. Talking Poems and Storytelling Production's. She continues to customize poetry for any occasion. Her CD Spiritual Eclipse continues to inspire audiences.
Rianna Rowell started dancing at 8 years old. She is fully inspired to join ZCO/DANCEPROJECT. Rianna is currently a student at Kingsborough Community College majoring in speech therapy.
Ketrina (Trina) Hazell's (She/Her) platform focuses on bringing self advocacy into school's and teaching inclusion. A strong self-advocate, blogger and college graduate. Hazell graduated from Partners in Policymaking in 2014. She is the founder of the advocate group "Voices of Power" and Disability Championship Mentoring Network, an organization that helps high school students with their post-secondary education transition and allows them to chart their own path.
Zazel-Chavah O'Garra (She/Her) is a brain tumor survivor. disability advocate, social worker, dancer, actress, model, founder and Artistic Director of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT. O'Garra holds a masters degree in social work from Fordham University and currently works for the Brain Injury Association of New York State and YAI/National Institute for people with disabilities such as an adaptive dance instructor.
O'Garra became a disabled artist 19years ago. Having faith pushed her to "dance beyond a disability." She shares the resurrection as a disable artist by creating customized movements for persons with mix abilities; demonstrating directly that physical challenges need not limit for passion for living a fulfilling life. Before founding ZCO/DANCEPROJECT , Zazel established a thriving career in the performing arts. Her body of work included performances on concert stage, Broadway, Off- Broadway, European Tours, national commercials and magazine publications. In fact, her modeling career included the covers of Essence Magazine.
In the ensuing years, Zazel build up an impressive list of accomplishments, Including an appearance on Dr. Oz, receiving the VSA-John F. Kennedy National Teaching Artist Fellowship, was named the inaugural member of the White House Disability Liaison, the recipient of the 2022 Caribbean Impact Award and was a featured model for NYC Fashion Week. Zazel is a member of SAG-AFTRA, Equity, Dance/NYC Disability Dance Force and is represented by Gamut talent management.
Wendy Ann Powell is a dancer, choreographer, director, playwright, actress, educator, and teaching artist. She performed with Dance June Lewis & Company. An original member of Ayitia la Dance Company, Dance Danamaria, Agoci Inc., and Alden Moved Dance Theater, she performed in an immersive version of the Nutcracker. A Girl Scout leader. She mentored various Girl Scout dance projects. Wendy performed with National Teaching Artist, Margret Elaine Plaza and Omega Dance Company. In 2020 Wendy joined ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, an inclusive disability dance company. She created The Journey which explores the intersectionality of being young, diabled and an African American Muslim.
