Keeping an Eye on Talent!
Artistic Director/Choreographer
Shawn Cosby
Shawn is a professionally trained dancer, choreographer, and actor, whose credits include: “House of Cards”, “ Those We Don’t Speak of”, Dr. Pepper, The Washington Post Awards, DC CAP, Soul Possessed, The MTV Awards, BET’s Teen Summit, Mya, “Dreamgirls,” “The Honk,” “Annie,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Fame,” “The Wiz,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Grease,” “Les Miserable,” and numerous show choirs. Shawn can also be seen in feature films such as “The Salon,” “New Best Friend,” and “Step Up.”
Shawn is considered to be a master teacher and has choreographed and taught “intensives” for The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Suitland School of the Arts, Jones Haywood School of Ballet, DC Dance Collectives, Creative Dance Center Inc., Expressions of Annapolis, Dance and Body Works, and the Dance Theatre of Lynchburg. She is a recipient of the Artists in Residence Master Teacher Award and the Alvin Ailey Award for Choreography. She is also the choreographer for the acclaimed Showbiz Dancers and Showbiz Dancers Next Generation, which services ages 7-35.
THEATRE DIRECTOR/Master Teacher
Sherion Cosby
Mrs. Cosby is a technical/theatrical director, stage manager, writer, actress, and producer. She holds a BF degree, in Radio, TV and Film from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and completed her Master’s work at the University of Maryland, where she was honored as a graduate teacher assistant in the department of Radio, TV and Film. She minored in speech, English and theatre. She has worked for over 42 years in the Montgomery County Public School System, where was bestowed the title of Master Teacher in Theatre.” She has produced and directed over 500 musicals and plays, including: “Les Miserables,” “Dreamgirls,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “High School Musical,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Westside Story,” “Hairspray,” “Ragtime,” and more. She also is a professional stage manager and casting director. She has stage-managed numerous productions locally and nationally and has cast for Six Flags America, Discovery ID Channel, and TV One.
Performance Instructors
Joshua Sommerville
Joshua Sommerville is a singer, pianist, composer, music director and is a graduate of Towson University’s School of Music. Joshua started the musical journey at age 5 by learning how to play the piano and singing. Throughout his journey, he has worked with people such as the late Dr. Walter Turnbull, Director of the Harlem Boys Choir, Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of the award-winning acapella group Sweet Honey and the Rock, and Dr. Stanley Thurston of the Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of Gospel. Along with creating his 3 singing groups, in 2013 he created and debuted his eccentric, but necessary Emptiness Workshop brings awareness, acceptance, and love to oneself and knowledge. He has travelled all over the work as a choir director, singer and pianist; implementing his Emptiness Workshop in each opportunity he attends. Josh will be joining the CSAA team as our Vocal Performance Director.
Shaylce Hemby
Shaylce Hemby is an avid educator for over fifteen years. She has been a dance instructor and guest choreographer for Prince George's County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools and Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts. Shaylce started her dance training at Creative Dance Center Inc. and began her professional career as part of the acclaimed Showbiz Dancers. She has also studied with such dance pioneers as (Dance Institute Of Washington), Arthur Miller, Debbie Allen, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ms. Hemby will be joining the CSAA staff as the Ballet, Contemporary, and Company instructor.
Fernando Naranjo
Fernando Naranjo is an experienced and well trained choreographer and dancer. He has worked on several productions, workshops and schools within the DMV and has worked and trained under such dance luminaries as Brian Friedman, Derrick Evans, Tessandra Chavez, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and Hinton Battle. Fernando's performing credits include: company membership with the Showbiz Dancers and The Kennedy Center. Fernando will be joining the CSAA staff as the contemporary and tap instructor.
Candace Foreman
Candace Foreman is a performer in the DC metropolitan area. She attended Montgomery College (Takoma/Rockville) majoring in dance. Shortly after attending school, she began working with ArtsCentric, A theatre company based in baltimore and found her love for theater through their company. She proceeded to become a dance instructor for children and taught for several different studios including Connections Therapy Center for special needs children while being in different shows and productions throughout the DMV area. Candace will be joining the CSAA staff as the ballet instructor.