Patrice Commodore, Artistic Director and Servant Leader

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Patrice is a native of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. She was baptized at Woodstream Church where she served as Director of the Judah Interpretive Dance Ministry before relocating to Charlotte, NC in 2005.  She has over 20 years of dance ministry experience serving in various capacities. Being in the community is an important aspect of her ministry. She has founded several programs in partnership with the Arts and Science Council, which includes Dance Without Limits for seniors, More Than Conquerors summer dance concert series, and Ignite a summer dance initiative for youth in the local Charlotte region. 

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In 2018 she founded The New Cultural Ballet of the South, a 501 c3 non profit organization established to provide dance scholarships for youth. In addition to teaching, she is a wife and mother of six lovely children. An alumnus of Howard University, she holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising. She also holds a Degree in Dance from UNCC and completed her student teaching in CMS public schools while interning in the Education and Outreach Division at Charlotte Ballet under April Berry before embarking on her own path. The 2023-2024 season marks 14 years of service in the Charlotte area.

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Shonda Hooper, Artistic Director

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Shonda began her passion for dance at Gaston Dance Theater under the direction of Pat Wall. She trained from 1993-2003 studying ballet, tap and modern. She also attended several summer intensives including University of the Arts in Philadelphia and American Dance Festival. She continued her training as a dance major at UNC Charlotte. Here she was trained in the styles of ballet and modern under the direction of Kim Jones, Delia Neil, E.E. Balcos, Sybil Huskey and Pamela Sofras. Shonda has received a BA in dance and a BS in Public Health. Since graduating she has taught several styles including: ballet, modern and tap. She has been with OMS from conception and is excited to see the program grow as a ministry.

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