DIRECTORS IN ACTION

Director, Dance Workshop of Detroit

Markeith Stephan Jackson-Jones is an accomplished director, educator, choreographer, and performing artist whose work embodies the spirit, history, and innovation of Black dance traditions. As the Artistic Director of Dance Workshop of Detroit (DWD), Markeith leads the company with a deep commitment to excellence in culturally rooted and classically informed dance forms. His direction is driven by a lifelong dedication to preserving the legacy of African American dance while expanding its future through education, performance, and community engagement.

A soon graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and K–12 certification/Music Minor, Markeith also completed intensive coursework at Wayne State University and trained at Detroit School of Arts and Cass Technical High School dance departments. His multifaceted education laid the foundation for his pedagogical rigor, artistic versatility, and leadership vision. With nearly a decade of experience as a dance educator and choreographer across the Detroit metropolitan area, Markeith has taught and staged work in ballet, Horton, Graham, Dunham, jazz, African, hip-hop, and the culturally significant world of historically Black college and university (HBCU) auxiliary dance styles.

At DWD, Markeith designs and oversees a full seasonal curriculum that nurtures technical mastery and cultural literacy. He directs and curates all mainstage concerts, community showcases, and intensive training programs, ensuring that every dancer receives mentorship, performance experience, and exposure to the rich heritage of Black performance art. His concert direction and choreographic voice have become central to the company's identity, known for blending traditional forms with contemporary expression in ways that both honor and challenge convention.

Beyond the studio and stage, Markeith is a proud member of several Greek lettered/fraternal dance and auxiliary organizations, including Omega Sigma Delta Auxiliary Fraternity, Inc., Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity, Inc., and MAFIA Dance Team Inc. These affiliations reflect his ongoing advocacy for the cultural artistry found within fraternal and collegiate dance systems and his commitment to providing dancers with meaningful, identity-affirming experiences.

With a leadership style rooted in cultural stewardship, creative innovation, and uncompromising discipline, Markeith Stephan Jackson-Jones continues to expand the vision of Dance Workshop of Detroit. Under his direction, DWD serves as a platform for cultivating the next generation of technically grounded, artistically daring, and culturally empowered dancers.

Assistant Director, Dance Workshop of Detroit

Alexis Conner is an accomplished and passionate dancer with over 15 years of experience in performance and training across a wide range of dance styles including contemporary, ballet, modern, jazz, liturgical, mime, and hip-hop. A Detroit native and attendee of Wayne State University’s African and Modern Dance programing, Alexis brings a rich foundation in both classical and culturally rooted movement traditions. Her artistry is recognized for its expressive depth, spiritual sensitivity, and dynamic stage presence.

Alexis currently leads dance ministry at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and has choreographed for commercial hip-hop music videos and high-profile stage productions. Her background includes intensive training through Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, El Olam Dance Intensive, and the Detroit School of Arts. As Assistant Director at Dance Workshop of Detroit, Alexis is committed to empowering the next generation of dancers through excellence, mentorship, and community-centered artistry.

Assistant Director, Dance Workshop of Detroit

Asia Smith is a dynamic emerging artist and dance educator whose movement journey began at the prestigious Detroit School of Arts, where she honed her technique and passion for performance. As Assistant Director of Dance Workshop of Detroit, Asia brings a strong foundation in modern and West African dance, blending cultural authenticity with technical precision. Her training also includes jazz and ballet, making her a versatile artist with a deep understanding of both classical and diasporic movement vocabularies.

A former HBCU-style pomerette, Asia carries the spirit and showmanship of collegiate dance performance into every rehearsal and stage production. Her background in auxiliary dance has informed her sense of discipline, rhythm, and community, which she now shares with the next generation of dancers through mentorship and instruction.

Dedicated to uplifting Black dance traditions while encouraging innovation, Asia Smith is an essential part of the leadership team at DWD. She supports curriculum design, dancer development, and concert production, contributing her unique voice and energy to the company’s artistic mission.