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Read About Boden | See About Boden | Meet Our Faculty
...committed to the ongoing training and development of children and adults who love music and dance.
The Boden Center Faculty
• Joseph Knowles
• Bryan Carrott
• Phil Hamilton
• Cari Lenn Orr
• Galen "Lenny" Underwood
• Matthew Rushing
• Chandini Gilchrist
• Dr. Sandy Mitchell
• Frankie Cutlass
• Peter "Bam Bam" Arizmendi
• Manny Lanzot
Joseph Knowles
Assistant Director / Introductory Piano & Woodwinds
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“At Boden, relationships are formed, and the gift and love of music is shared between students and faculty abundantly.”
—Joe romano |
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Bryan Carrott
Vibraphone / The Music Workshop
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Native New Yorker Bryan Carrott began private piano lessons at age 8 in Queens Village N.Y. and continued piano studies at age 12 with Claire Alvanos at the Alvanos piano studio, where Bryan now teaches piano classes under her direction. Bryan also began playing drums in his junior high school concert & stage bands. Upon entering the LaGuardia High School of Music and Art in the mid 1970's as a pianist, Bryan was given the option to study percussion, |
because of his drumming background. He accepted, and soon discovered his love for mallet instruments, especially the vibraphone, which seemed to be the happy medium between piano & drums. This also marked Carrott's true introduction to jazz in it's variety of styles. Music and Art's student roster in those days included the likes of Omar Hakim, Kenny Washington, Marcus Miller, Bob Franceschini, Arturo O'Farrill, Bobby Broom, Ray Vega, & many gifted and skilled young artists who helped inspire one another. All of those students shared the vibrant experience ensembles directed by drummer percussionist conductor Justin Diciocio, who also became Bryan's private teacher at Manhattan School of Music's preparatory division. Bryan also gained invaluable experience as timpanist of the New York All City high school concert band to which broadened his symphonic & jazz band experience at Music and Art. As a music major at Brooklyn College, Bryan continued percussion studies with New York Philharmonic's Morris Lang. During a 2 year hiatus from school, Bryan took a couple of vibraphone lessons with mallet specialist Dave Samuels, who later informed Bryan of the jazz program at William Paterson College, where he continued lessons with Samuels and eventually received his B.A. degree in Jazz Studies & Performance. |
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Phil Hamilton
Guitar, The Music Workshop
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At the age of ten, Phil was inspired by his family to pursue formal music training. At the age of thirteen, he started playing in bands and became influenced by players such as Santana, Terry Kath (Chicago), Bruce Conte (TOP), Larry Carlton, Wes Montgomery, and many others. At that time, he realized his passion for music and decided to pursue it professionally. In 1979, Phil began working on studio dates, and since then has recorded and toured with |
numerous artist such as Luther Vandross, Beyonce, Al Jareau, Anita Baker, Kenny Larimore, Bob Baldwin, Rachelle Farrell, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, Philip Bailey, Melissa Manchester, Sheena Easton, Denise Williams, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, latin sensation Angela Carasco, and a host of others. Phil also has an extensive list of television shows, jingles, and film soundtracks to add to his credits. His Latest efforts involve work on the new Anita Baker CD ‚My Everything‚ and Grammy winning CD by Luther Vandross. Phil is also working on his own project. |
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Lenny Underwood
Advanced Piano / The Music Workshop
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Lenny Underwood is not a household name by ordinary standards, but he is very well-known for his outstanding work with some of the greatest names in the business. Although he performed at New York City's prestigious Carnegie Hall at the age of six, Lenny's fast track to show biz as a classical piano prodigy was gradually diversified as he listened to Soul, R&B, Jazz and Rock & Roll music while growing up in the streets of Harlem and the Bronx. |
Aspiring to record his original music, Lenny co-wrote two regional dance hits - I HEAR MUSIC IN THE STREETS and SEARCHING TO FIND THE ONE before his twenty-first birthday and worked as a studio musician behind Chaka Khan, Madonna, and Whitney Houston, to name a few. A chance meeting with Harry Belafonte led to soundtrack work on the hip-hop move classic, BEAT STREET and, later, Lenny directed an international band of musicians for the PBS-TV special, AN EVENING WITH HARRY BELAFONTE AND FRIENDS. Lenny's versatility continues today with guest TV appearances behind Missy Elliot, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez, as well as recordings with Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. |
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Matthew Rushing
The Dance Workshop
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Matthew Rushing is a native of Los Angeles, California. He began his dance training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While attending the LACHSA, Matthew was the recipient of the prestigious Spotlight Awards at the Los Angeles Music Center, and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. After graduation, Mr. Rushing trained at the Ailey School in New York, New York. He then moved on to join the junior company, Ailey II. |
After performing with Ailey II for one year, he was promoted to The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the senior company. Matthew is now in his 12th season with The Ailey Company. During his career, he has performed as a guest artist at ballet gala's in France, Russia, Canada, and Hungary. Mr. Rushing also danced for President Bill Clinton's first inaugural celebration. Most recently, he performed for The President of The United States of America, George W. Bush at The White House State Dinner in honor of The President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki. In Matthew's spare time, he enjoys choreographing and coaching young artist.
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Cari-Lenn Orr
The Dance Workshop
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Cari-Lenn Orr (Raleigh, North Carolina) began her professional training at North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and continued her training in New York City, where she studied at The Ailey School. She received†a Certificate of Completion from the Ailey School, as well as obtained a position with this institution after graduation as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of The Ailey School. |
Ms. Orr has danced with various groups in New Jersey and the New York City area. She is currently a member of Spirit Wings Dance Company.
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chandini gilchrist
The Dance Workshop
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Chandini Gilchrist is a Washington DC native where she began her training with the DC Youth Ensemble. She continued her formal training at Spirit Wings Dance Company and Studio under the direction of Sandy Mitchell, where she is apart of the company and teaches in their training school. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Towson University with a BFA in Dance Performance and is the recipient of the Washington Post Music and Dance Award. She has been blessed to work with and perform
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works by Nai-Ni Chin, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Stephanie Powell, Matthew Rushing, Paul Taylor, Dion Wilson, and Michael Utoff. She was an inaugural member of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Apprentice Company under the direction of Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott. Ms. Gilchrist is fueled by her passion for the arts and her God-given mandate to represent Christ in the arts arena.
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Back to top + Dr. Sandy Mitchell
Guest Faculty / Master Dance Class
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Dr. Sandy A. Mitchell a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a graduate of Howard University, with a BA Degree in Communication and a Minor in Drama/Dance. She is also a graduate of The American University with a
MA Degree in Performing Arts, a graduate of FriendsInternational Christian University with a Doctorate of Ministry in Religious Dance, a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies and
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a graduate of Faith Bible College and Seminary with a Degree in Theology.
Dr. Mitchell is a licensed minister, a gifted performer and teacher of the arts. She proclaims the marriage of passionate obedience and excellence in all she does. She is acclaimed nationally and internationally for her gifts and leadership in producing, directing, training artists technically, spiritually & choreographing dramatic productions & pieces for dance soloists.
Dr. Mitchell is the founding artistic director of Spirit Wings Dance Company, with a mission of setting a standard of excellence in the art of dance. Based out of Laurel, Maryland this company ministers with extreme technical proficiency and the anointing of God.
Dr. Mitchell has instructed & choreographed for The Boden Center for the Performing Arts (Bronx, New York), Clinton Christian School’s Vessels of Praise, (Upper Marlboro, MD), High Point High School’s Concert Choir (Beltsville, MD), Evangel Cathedrals’ Christmas Celebration (Upper Marlboro, MD) and Ron Kenoly’s “The Perfect Gift Tour.” She also has worked as the artistic advisor for Georgetown University's Dance Program (Washington, DC), as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Bowie State University (Bowie, MD), and as an instructor for the Washington Performing Arts Society’s summer program (Washington, DC). In 1993, Dr. Mitchell began Spirit Wings Dance Studio, a place designed to train dancers to set a standard of excellence academically, artistically, spiritually and in their daily walk before God & man.
Dr. Mitchell takes performance and worship quite seriously and has established and strengthened dancers and dance ministries in Kenya, South Africa, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, England, Germany, Trinidad, and throughout the United States with the sole purpose of making a celebration of excellent, anointed, glorious praise unto the Lord.
Based out of Hope Christian Church under the leadership of Bishop Harry & Pastor Michele Jackson, Dr. Mitchell brings anointing through her ministry and the ministry of those whom she teaches. Married for 25 years this year to Chevist L. Mitchell, they reside in Laurel Maryland.
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frankie Cutlass
The DJ Workshop
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Frankie Cutlass is best known for hits like "Puerto Rico-Ho!" (Relativity/Sony) and "Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya!". In addition to being part of the Flip Squad with Funkmaster Flex and DJ'ing on New York's premiere Hip-Hop station Hot97 (WQHT), he has also produced and collaborated with stars such as Notorious B.I.G., Luke, Fat Joe, Lost Boyz, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Biz Markie & Shaggy as well as veteran Latin Music artist Tito Nieves on his smash "I Like It Like That".
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Frankie Cutlass' sound is infectious and timeless and his songs have been used in major motion picture soundtracks like "Charlie's Angels" and "Don't Be A Menace" as well as numerous radio & television commercials.
Seven years ago Frankie had a spiritual awakening and introduced himself to the Christian community by ministering at churches around the country, and has since aligned himself with men of God such as Nicky Cruz-Evangelist and youth pastor, Chris Hill. He has appeared on Dr. Creflo A. Dollar's World Changers Ministries (featured on BET) and The Christian Crusade at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Frankie has ministered alongside Christian athletes Allan Houston (NY Knicks), Charlie Ward (NY Knicks), Mike Barrow (NY Giants), Howard Cross (NY Giants) and many others.
With the release of his first album in over 7 years, "New Wine", Frankie will take the Hip-Hop community by storm and awaken today's youth with his unique sound and his spiritually uplifting lyrics.
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Manny lanzot
Bass Guitar/ Music Workshop
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peter "bam bam" Arizmendi
The Urban Workshop
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