MOVE ME SOUL
FOUNDED: 2008
Move Me Soul is committed to providing an innovative platform for inner-city youth to train and evolve as the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and teachers. Performers are engaged in dancemaking, storytelling, and character development that allows them to curate their own aesthetics of the past, present, and future.
COMPANY LEADERSHIP
PC: Photo of Ayesha Jaco by Rachel Neville Studios
Ayesha Jaco,
Founder & Artistic Director
Ayesha Jaco is a Chicago based Philanthropist, Educator and Choreographer. Ayesha’s disciplinary focus is a fusion of contemporary Modern, Jazz, West African and Hip Hop dance. Ayesha is a former Najwa Dance Corps and Muntu Dance Theater Company Member. Ayesha is a 2018 Chicago Dancemakers Lab Artist. Her premiere work the “Chississippi Mixtape” featuring Damon Locks was featured at Links Hall in celebration of its 40th year.
Ayesha has been featured in Hype Magazine South Africa, Splash Chicago and the Chicago Reader for her artistic prowess and youth work. She was recently awarded The Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy Social Justice Award for her commitment to Chicago communities. Ayesha’s commitment to Arts in Youth & Community Development has led her to curate artist residencies with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago Park District, Jacob Carruthers for Inner City Studies and the American Rhythm Center. In 2019, Ayesha began a Rebuild Foundation Dance Fellowship and presented a myriad of community conversations, works in progress & documentary screenings at the Stony Island Arts Bank & Dorchester Artist Collaborative.
Ayesha is a 2020 Helen Coburn Meier & Tim Meier Achievement Award Honoree. Ayesha holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Mass Communication from Illinois State University and a Masters of Arts Management (Arts in Youth and Community Development) from Columbia College Chicago.
PC : Photo of Diana Muhammad by Rachel Neville Studios
Diana Muhammad,
Executive Director
Diana Muhammad is an Educator, Advocate and Artist in Chicago, IL. Diana earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (2004) and Juris Doctor of Law (2017) from DePaul University. She has attended Northeastern Illinois University and Columbia College for extended studies in Dance and Physical Education. Diana began her dance career in 1996 with the Debra Richards Dancers and was featured on Showtime at the Apollo in New York. She is the founder of DADA Dance Connections (2008) and a former company member at large of
the Najwa Dance Corps (2005).
In addition to training in Ballet, African/Caribbean, Modern and Jazz/Tap dance forms, Diana is also a trained vocal coach, musician (Doralyn Academy of Music) and special events coordinator. Diana has taught the arts, languages arts and history in Chicago Public Schools since 2004 and served as the Assistant Director of Chicago’s All City Dance Ensemble from 2011-2013. She is the former Curriculum Director at Right At School. She combined visions with Ayesha Jaco in 2010 and has served in the Executive Director role for Move Me Soul since 2012. Diana is committed to building excellence in art, education and character in young people!
PC : Photo of Artez Jackson by Rachel Neville Studios
Artez Jackson,
Associate Artistic Director
Artez Jackson was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. He started his dance training at Curie High School in 1995 under the direction of Diane Holda. From 1996 to 1999, Artez trained with gallery 37 in the parks under the direction of Nicole Stewart.
He then went on to study ballet at Homer Bryant Ballet, Northern Illinois University Dance Theater, and with Franco Devito in New York. Later, Artez went on to study the Horton technique along with other styles at the Alvin Ailey summer dance intensive. There, he was offered a fellowship.
In 2003, he received his B.F.A from Northern Illinois University. He then went on to dance with professional companies that include but not limited to; Dass/Dance, BALCHI/Contemporary Dance Company, Dance Loop Chicago, and later founded his own dance ensemble called "The Boogie Project".
Move Me Soul is a dream come true for him as it allows him to give dance back to the community he grew up in. Artez is a youth engagement expert & advocate who currently works as a Chief Deputy Clerk for Juvenile Justice/Child Protection Divisions in Cook County, IL. His most fulfilling moments are in his role as Master teacher/Choreographer. Recently, Artez choreographed “Black Swans”, a tribute dance to the five original black ballerinas of Dance Theater of Harlem. Artez was named Associate Artistic Director Move Me Soul Dance Company in 2023.
He lives by the credo of the late great Mr. Alvin Ailey, “I believe that the dance came from the people and it should always be delivered back to the people.”