Gem BOOTS, (Percussionist )
Born James R. Gilliam, III, my love for music was given to me by my father and uncle when I was born, if not before. Both of them musicians, my home was filled with the sound of drums, guitars, flutes saxophones, trumpets, bass, piano singers and poets. My appreciation for the art of music grew as I saw and felt the creation of its sound.
I started my formal music education during preschool, when the school's owner took me to the music studio for drum sessions. At the age of seven I received piano lessons from my elementary school music teacher. My music education continued to flourish and my desire to perform emerged. I was the drummer in elementary and middle school bands. In high school I was in the marching band, concert band, and jazz band. Music had become an essential part of my life. I attended Virginia State University and was a member of their marching band as well. When I transferred to Clark Atlanta University in 1993, my Musical life took a new direction. I met MCs from all over the country. This gave me a crash course in the Art of Rhyme. The MCs taught me lyricism as well as delivery and flow. Once I was "bitten by the bug" I refused to stop until I gained a lot of knowledge and experience. This opportunity came during my affiliation with three different groups. It gave me the chance to develop as a soloist, songwriter, producer and microphone technician.

Shaleena CAPERS (Choreography Researcher)
Dance is her voice, and she speaks thru movement! Shaleena, at the age of three, began her dance career at Bernice Johnson Dance Studio, in New York. Four years she studied African dance, Ballet, and Tap. She continued her dance training, in California and later Maryland; there adding jazz to her dance background. While studying at Hampton University, in Virginia, she studied different art forms such as Katherine Dunham, Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham. But, her passion was deeply rooted in African dance. When she returned back to Maryland, she followed her heart and began taking West African dance at KanKouran Dance Studio. A few years later she joined Soul in Motion.

Nicole CHILDRESS (Assistant Associate Director, Dancer)
A native of Queens, New York, Nikki aspired to be a dancer at the age of four.  As one of the youngest members of the Dance Street Company, Nikki's natural ability and creative talent became very apparent as she excelled at multiple disciplines, including African, Ballet & Modern Dance. She is currently a dance instructor and choreographer at BodyMoves in Fort Washington,MD. Being an Army dependent and having to travel with her husband, Nikki has had a chance to dance with and be a part of some great companies which include Alvin Ailey, Afro 1 Dance & Drum Theatre, African Heritage, KanKouran West African Dance and currently SIMPINC.

Michael E. FRIEND (Founder, Artistic Director, Percussionist)
founded Soul In Motion Players, Inc. in 1984.  Michael wrote and debuted We Are Africa in 1991.  His other works include Henrietta Marie, Malcolm, What If., and Ile Ife - House of Love. He started his music/acting career in 1969 with the world renowned Arthur Hall Afro-American Dance Ensemble and Theatre Advocate, in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA.  Friend furthered his studies at Fisk University and graduated Howard University in 1980, receiving his B.A. degree in Communications.  Michael has gone on to record/perform nationally and internationally, including a Jazz tour in 1989 to Cameroon, West Africa.  Friend's regional accomplishments include performing in the Arena Stage production of Derrick Walcott's The Odyssey and with The Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Kennedy Center.  He's a former board member of several local arts organizations: Black Rock Center for the Arts and The Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County - serving as Vice President of Grants for 3 years. Michael is currently the percussionist for the Four Kings: Jerry Butler, Lloyd Price, Gene Chandler, and Ben E. King.

James Jumbe GILLIAM (Percussionist, Vocalist)
Jumbe started playing hand drums and percussion in the Philadelphia school system. He also sang in the All Philadelphia Choir and attended settlement music school. At Cheyney State University he was an integral part of their music program; singing and playing percussion most of their productions. He plays congas and djembe drums and has giged in many different settings such as: Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Latin, Reggae, African, and Gospel. One of his private teachers for conga drums was Doc Gibbs. He also attended many workshops, the most renowned being with the "Montiquitoes De Montanzas De Cuba." His African drum training was with master drummer Ibrahim Camara of West Africa.
Some of the people and groups he has giged with are: Sister Sledge, Essra Mohawk, Dexter Wanzel, Willie Bo Bo, Princess Starletta Depure, Afro I Dance, Drama and Drum Theater, African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, The Earthtones Reggae Band and the Corner Stone Mass Choir Gospel Band. He has also recorded with the Earthtones "Live at Penn State Art Festival" (1993) and Doc Long "The Drum" (1994).
Jumbe often says "The rhythmic style of his hand drumming, which he tries to incorporate with multiethnic composition material, is based on melodic concepts and techniques derived from tradition."

Althea GREY-MCKENZIE (Dancer)
Althea is the founder of Shades of Height, a community based organization that offers modeling training to most ages. The program is open to both men and women. She graduated University of Maryland where she performed with the Diaspora Players dancers. Althea stays very active in the Caribbean community, raising funds for various cultural events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Althea performed at the Fun for the FUNd in 2003. She was part of a group of entertainers that raised $15,000 for the University of Maryland Faculty Staff Assistance Program Emergency Loan Fund.

Tondalayo ROYSTER (Dancer)
At the age of 5 years old, Tondalayo's mother and grandmother observed she had a passion for dance and immediately began to nurture her talent. She began her journey at the North East Academy of Dance, Washington, D.C. taking Ballet. As time progressed, she expanded her interest in the dance world and explored the avenues of Tap, Modern dance, Jazz, Afro-Jazz, and finally West African dance. She graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington, D.C and studied at the Washington School of Ballet, Dance Place with Carla Perlo and Tyrone Murray and finally Kan Kouran West African Dance all in the metropolitan area. Tondalayo has a love for dance that is forever present in her life. Soul In Motion Players, Inc. (SIMPINC)is her next journey where she expresses her energy and love for the art of dance.

Linda WILKINS HAMM (Dancer)
A native Washingtonian, Linda Wilkins Hamm is a passionate dancer and educator. The self proclaimed dance enthusiast is the modern, jazz and hip-hop dance instructor, choreographer, founder and creator of JUS DANZ. JUS DANZ is a dance program catering to children and adults who love dance at Hillcrest Heights Community Center, located in Temple Hills, MD. Linda's greatest achievement however, is being considered a role model. A 1997 Honors graduate of Mount Vernon College at George Washington University, Linda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Dance. Linda's deeply rooted love and respect for dance is undeniable. Continuing to nurture her craft, Linda was mesmerized by the "soul" of SIMPINC; the fiery drumbeats and burning energetic movements captured her heart which ultimately led her to become a proud company member. (Place your mouse over my picture to see my dance shot.)