Lavondia Bryant-Square

Biography

Lavondia Bryant-Square
Artistic & Executive Director

Nathifa (nah-thee-fa) Dance Company, meaning clean and pure, was established in September of 1994 under the directorship of LaVondia Bryant-Square, a performer and dance instructor of African, Jazz, Modern, Praise Dance Ministry. Coupled with her joy for working with people through dance, she established a youth performing company that has now open doors to start a non-profit outreach program “Nathifa Dance Company & Outreach, Inc.” This program is to help increase cultural awareness and foster positive self-image along with self-esteem, self-confidence, and spirituality among the people of Birmingham.

LaVondia began her dance career at the age of thirteen in Brooklyn, New York with a local studio called "Seasaways." Two years later, she began working with the Alonzo Players, and Off Broadway Theater. While working there she received extensive theatrical training. She also danced under the instruction of renowned dancer Al Perryman. While still in Brooklyn, she continued numerous dance classes at the Restoration Dance Theatre located in the Bedford-Styvesant area under the instruction of the late Charles Moore. This company is known for it’s pounding of "The Drums of Africa" and many dances reconstructed from the repertoire of Asadata Defora and Katherine Dunham.

While in high school, she won a scholarship in modern dance to the 92nd Street YMCA. This   led her to later receiving another scholarship in training with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company, located at the Manhattan Community College.

After graduating from Mabel Dean Bacon Vocational High School class of 1986, LaVondia moved back to her hometown, Birmingham, AL. She continued her studies in Business Education at Booker T. Washington Jr. College of Business where she received her Associate Degree in Applied Science, 1988. She then began studying Modern dance with Southern Dance Works “Mary Foshee” and Sculpture Essence Dance Company “Donna Edwards Todd”. While dancing with these companies she learned how to conduct teaching classes in the community, working with under-privileged kids at local schools, day care centers, churches, community centers, and colleges. In 1988 through 1995 she continued her African & Caribbean Dance under the directorship of King Sundiata Keite of the Omowale Afrikan Dancers and Cultural Society based in Detroit, Michigan and the Birmingham African Dance Coalition under the directorship of Ife Balams. She has also performed and studied modern dance with Southern Dance Works “Terry Wesley” in Birmingham, Al.  She currently attends numerous workshops with the Fa’Neye Fa’dance conference, Atlanta, GA., classes with the Uhuru Dancers, Inc. of Decatur, Ga. and the Giwayen Mata of Atlanta, Ga. With the support of the State Council of the Arts she attended the 18th Annual Conference and Concert presented by the Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington, D.C 2006. Through the training received from these artists, it has enabled her to further her vision as a choreographer, teacher, and artistic director. In 2004 she received the Fellow Ship grant from the State Council on the Arts. In October of 2002 she incorporated Nathifa Dance Company and on April 26, 2006 the company received its’ 501c3 non profit status.  September 2007 she was granted the Individual Grant through the Cultural Arts Alliance of the Medici Society Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ireland Pigford. She choreographs for many church dance ministries and theatrical productions throughout Birmingham and the surrounding area.