Biography
Namona Lewin, affectionately known as Lady Kiesha, is a gifted choreographer and professional dancer. Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Namona migrated with her family to Florida when she was three months old. Growing up in a Caribbean household, music and dancing has always been a part of Namona's life. When asked when did she start dancing, she playfully says, "Since I was in my mother's womb." At the age of eight, Namona began taking modern (Graham/ Horton inspired) and liturgical dance classes at the Rose of Sharon School of Liturgical Dance, Miami, Florida, under the tutelage of Dr. Constance McIntyre. It is here Namona's passion for dance became stronger and she continued to study ballet and jazz under the tutelage of Denise Savetz and Elaine Jekels. By the age of twelve, she was inducted into the Rose of Sharon International Dance Company in Miami, Florida. Upon joining, she traveled with the company nationally and internationally performing in famed venues from Miami, Florida to Amsterdam, Holland. At the age of sixteen, she began teaching modern dance classes to children and adults at The McIntyre Institute. She began traveling and performing with the JEDAH Company soon after. Her experience promoted her to the position of Rehearsal Director with the company, which allowed her to stage pieces for the school and company for their annual dance productions. During her time at The McIntyre Institute, Namona choreographed her first works that have been seen on the top performance stages in South Florida such as the Jackie Gleason Theater, the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
After graduating high school in 2004, Namona continued her education at the University of Miami. With a focus in Political Science through U of M's School of Business, she added a minor in Dance Education to her course load; an emphasis on the methodology of dance and movement, using Laban movement analysis. During her time there, Namona challenged herself with a new form of dance, Hip Hop. She was first introduced to hip-hop performing with KAOS, University of Miami's first co-ed hip-hop dance team. She performed extensively with the group at the celebrated Miami Carnival, local events, fashion shows, as well as performing and choreographing for local artists. After graduating from the University of Miami in 2008, she knew her journey did not stop there and made the life-changing decision to move to New York City.
Upon moving to New York City, Namona has studied the Horton Technique at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Karen Arceneaux (Genesis Dance Company) and Iquail Shaheed (DanceIquail). Her training in Modern Dance continued at Peridance under the instruction of Ron Brown, founder of Evidence. Namona also studied Jazz Dance with the pioneer of the first jazz dance technique, Eugene "Luigi" Faccuito & Jazz Dance Master Francis J. Roach of Luigi's Jazz Centre. She has performed "5/4" choreographed by Luigi and "Le Jardin des Tuillieres" by Mr. Roach at the DiCapo Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater and the 92 St. Y Harkness Dance Center. In 2010, Namona was selected to be assistant choreographer to Francis J. Roach for the Off Broadway play "Black Gold - The Passion of Aleijandinho" directed by Melba LaRose of NY Artists Unlimited.
Since Namona's return to South Florida in 2012, she has been choreographing for local dance ministries, dance schools, and events such as the ATT &T Young Singer's Showcase in Aventura. She also choreographed and danced her first jazz dance musical, Lady in Satin: A Tale Told Through Movement. The production debuted October 2013 to much success at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center. Determined to share her gift and love for fitness, Namona created the Lady K Dance Series and K Effect Fitness, an electrifying and innovative series that welcomed dancers of all levels in South Florida to take part in high-energy classes that challenged musicality, technique, and promoted healthy lifestyle choices. In November of 2013, Namona relocated to North Hollywood, California to further hone her craft.
Namona's dance style is defined by her fluid yet hard-hitting movement that allows the dancer to connect with the music and the moment. Namona is inspired by various choreographers from different dance genres. Many of her choreography has been influenced by Luigi, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Fatima Robinson, Tina Landon, and many others.
Namona continues to live out her favorite quote, "Free to feel. Free to move. Free to be you" by fervently learning, choreographing, teaching and performing.
