Our Instructors

Affectionately known as “Tree”, David first played the piano at 7 years old. He’s enjoyed working as a background vocalist with the Washington Performing Arts Society’s Men and Women of the Gospel Choir at the Kennedy Center, at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Strathmore Center for Performing Arts Center and on three gospel CD projects. Tree most recently enjoyed performing with the infamous acapella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, at Carnegie Hall in New York. He works as a church choir musician working with soloists in various projects from congregational singing to weddings. He has played for the Armed Forces Honorary Ball and Christmas Dinner and many other social gatherings. He became affiliated with viaJ/Artistic Empowerment Centers in late 2004 assisting in musical direction at numerous community service performances for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement parties, concerts and other events and now teaches piano for viaJ. Tree is blessed to have a large cadre of very spiritually connected, talented and caring mentors that have influenced his spiritual development and touched while shaping his musical journey.

Nikki was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and moved with her family to Damascus, Maryland at the age of 5. She’s always been surrounded by music. Her parents would blast tunes by The Temptations, Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 just to name a few. In spite of the fact that Nikki was a shy child, she came out of her shell when presented with the opportunity to perform for an audience. She sang in the Damascus High School chorus throughout her high school career. Although singing was always a deep passion, it wasn’t until after high school that she began to think about pursuing it seriously. Since then she has performed dancing and singing with night club and variety bands, worked on projects in the studio and given back to the community by performing and volunteering at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She’s been training with viaJ/Artistic Empowerment Centers for five years perfecting her craft and now teaches the art of voice for viaJ in addition to doing an incredible job as the Outreach Coordinator for AEC.

Kinya’s passion and dedication for singing began in grade school. She has performed for large audiences since the age of nine. In school, she was part of the gospel choir, Honors chorus and acted in school plays. Kinya furthered her exploration of singing by landing a spot as a background vocalist for gospel recording artist, Alvin Slaughter, at the Paramount Theater in New York City. She has also performed at the Apollo Theater, The Maryland Theater, the Gala Theater and at Bowie State University. She played the lead role, Diana Ross, in “A Moment in Motown”, a play at the Public Playhouse and made first runner up in Hal Jackson’s ‘Talented Teens’ Contest. She sang at the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon and during the “Best of Maryland” Day at Six Flags America. Kinya also won third place at a talent showcase at Prince George’s Community College. Kinya has been an active participant in the Miss America Organization. She has been honored to win many local titles and placed in the top ten at the Miss Maryland and Miss DC Scholarship pageants. She has Bachelor of Music degree from Howard University with a concentration in music therapy. Currently, she is pursing a gospel-singing career.

The theatre is no stranger to Desiree. She has graced the stages of Lincoln Theatre, Fords Theatre, Arena Stage, Round House Theatre, Studio Theatre and others with the likes of Roll On, Big River, Crowns, Junkanoo, Pippin and Bessie’s Blues. In fact, the Washington Post commented, “DuBose preens with a mix of brash of innocence and tantalizing wickedness as she belts out song after song.” She has shared the stage with Carlyncia many times including the BET Network Anniversary featuring Michael Jackson. She has also performed with Al Jarreau, Puffy “Diddy” Combs and George Michael. Desiree was honored to receive the National Academy of Dramatic Speech Arts Playwrights Award from the Kennedy Center and is affiliated with Actor’s Equity. She just completed a season of teaching at Howard University, her alma mater, in musical theatre and creative drama. We are grateful to have her on our staff.