Moves & Grooves, Inc.

Emerald Mitchell - Moves & Grooves Founder

Moves & Grooves founder, Emerald Mitchell was once an inner-city child in Portland, OR destined for disaster, until she was accepted into a local non-profit organization called Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI). Given a positive role model and a chance to travel out of the neighborhood through the help of Self-Enhancement, she was able to discover a world of opportunity and options. Now, a decade later, Emerald is a wife and mother of 4, a school teacher, and a graduate of Fisk University and Tennessee State University with a master's degree in both Business and Education. With hopes to further her education to recieve a doctorate degree in Leadership & Supervision, Emerald wants to be the living example to her students that "Life Has Options." She believes Moves & Grooves is her opportunity to give to other people what was once given to her... a choice.

Jonathan Edwards - Fitness

Jonathan Edwards teaches physical fitness and wellness with Moves & Grooves. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Mr. Edwards is a former defensive end, outside linebacker and graduate assistant coach for the Tennessee State University football team. After graduating from TSU, Mr. Edwards continues to touch the lives of young people around him through health and education. Mr. Edwards is currently a certified P.E. teacher at Park Avenue Elementary where he is a role model to young boys and girls of what hard work and perseverance can do. Named “Coach Edwards” by the kids, Jonathan enjoys being head foot ball coach at West End Middle School, a proud husband and father to his 6 month old daughter Jayda, and helping to impact lives through fitness and education.

Maurice Farmer - Music

Maurice Farmer is a talented musician who has worked with notable R&B artists and famous actors such as Lloyd, Keith Robinson, director Alvin Moore and local musical group CASME’. In 2008, Maurice was selected to perform at the Grand Ole Opry with the gospel recording group, Trin-i-tee 5:7, for the 39th GMA Dove Awards. Mr. Farmer has taught vocal and music lessons with Moves & Grooves since 2003 and continues to share his gifts to inspire people both young and old. Mr. Farmer is a Music Education Graduate of Tennessee State University and is trained in trombone, bass guitar, drums and piano. An active member of the 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Maurice continues to teach young boys in Moves & Grooves, how to be young gentlemen and to treat others with respect. Mr. Farmer enjoys, writing music, listening to jazz and spending time with his wife Lena.

LaCresha Kolba - Violin

LaCresha Kolba grew up taking piano lessons and singing in her middle school, high school and church choir. After ten years of piano lessons she began to transpose music for local community theatre for their musicals. She also played for her church and other small performances in her local community. After working and studying at Nashville Violins under the direction of Dave Wascher, her interest in the violin grew. With her background she was able to quickly learn the music and method of the violin. LaCresha then became an asset to assisting lessons and helping others with their musical experience. Ms. Kolba is excited about Moves and Grooves and appreciates the opportunity to share her experience and passion of music with others.

Ashley Crawford-Mushamba - Contemporary & Tap

Ashley Crawford-Mushamba currently resides in Nashville, TN and has a strong passion for children and teaching the art of dance. She has a B.A. and Masters in Education. Ashley teaches 3rd grade at Park Avenue Enhanced Option School. Here, she is in charge of choreographing half-time routines for the PAEO cheerleaders and is also the director of dance for the Goldstars Afterschool Program! Her dance experience started when she was five! Ashley is experienced in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and tumbling. Some of her many accomplishments include being the captain of Fisk University's cheerleading squad, being a member of the Nashville Storm and NHL cheer squads, performing in plays such as "The Nativity", "Dreamgirls" (Deena), and the lead role in "Phantom of the Opera." She continues to follow her love for dance by teaching local youth in Nashville, TN. She began teaching at Rhythimic Moves Dance Studio, as an assistant teacher. Afterwards, she started an amazing dance program at the Thompson Lane Boys and Girls Club, and then became a part of the Moves & Grooves Inc. family. She has been with the organization for five years, and put on shows such as "Changes" (McGruder) and "The Wiz" (TSU summer enrichment program). Ashley plans on continuing her education by obtaining her doctorate, and also continue to allow her creative movements to teach elegance, spirit, passion, and attitude to young children!

Briona Richardson - Ballet

Briona Richardson is a graduate of Ohio State University where she received her bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Dance Education. She is a certified Stott Pilates Instructor and a strong advocate for dance and physical fitness. Mrs. Richardson has taught and choreographed with the Fine Arts Consortium of Nashville, Columbus Dance Theater in Ohio, Dublin Dance Center and the Pearl Cohn Comprehensive High School Majorette Team. Briona has danced professionally with the Columbus Dance Theater and with the Dance Institute of Washington under the artistic direction of Fabian Barnes. Briona teaches classical ballet and modern dance with Moves & Grooves and continues to stay devoted to her family, church and community.

Leigh Anne Strickland - Professional Guest Artist

Leigh Anne Strickland brings her dance, fitness and business management experience building international relationships with arts management professionals, professional artists, choreographers, designers, and wellness programs to Nashville Ballet serving as Outreach and Community Engagement Coordinator. An experienced ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance teacher and choreographer, Leigh Anne came to Nashville Ballet from her former post serving as Artistic and Executive Director of South Georgia Ballet and owner and manager of Body & Soul Lifestyle Fitness Center for Women. Leigh Anne earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Management, focus in dance from Brenau University, where she performed for Diane Callahan, and the Gainesville Ballet Company. She has trained with notable instructors including the Radio City Rockettes, Eddie Garcia, Glenn Douglas-Packard, Sarasota Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Finis Jung, John White, Laura Alonso, and Suzanne Farrell. Working in both the youth and adult programming market throughout her career, Leigh Anne brings her experience in marketing and branding, budget and fiscal management, infrastructure assessment and alignment, programming / curriculum design, media and creative design services, product launches, fundraising and event planning, board / employee / volunteer training, staff recruitment, sustainability analysis, accountability and stewardship evaluation, crisis management and conflict resolution, grant writing, and mission implementation/expansion to the Nashville Ballet team and state of Tennessee.

Dave Wascher - Violin

Dave Wascher graduated from University of Idaho with a degree in Music Education. Mr. Wascher taught in the Wyoming school system for several years developing string music programs. With his experience and knowledge in education and music the string program he developed quickly outgrew the existing band programs. Mr. Wascher continues sharing his experience with his students and to his staff every day. At Nashville Violins Mr. Wascher can be found repairing, restoring, and building instruments along with helping people find the right instrument that will be a fit for their musical experience. It brings him great pleasure to share his passion of music with those who enjoy music whether they are beginners or professionals.