"Protective Spirit of Life," is the meaning of her Swahili name, Asha Kamali. Ms. Kamali received her B.A. from Howard University's School of Communications. A trained dancer and student of the theater, Asha also studied at Howard's illustrious Department of Fine Arts, where she performed, choreographed and served as director of major productions. While a Theater Minor in the Department of Fine Arts, Asha was able to study from the best. Her professors included Al Freeman, Vera Katz, Joe Selmon, Mark Jolin, Phylicia Rashad and her greatest mentor, Debbie Allen. While at Howard, Asha was crowned Miss Howard University which allowed her to travel the country, crusading performing arts programs in public schools and colleges. During her reign, she was also a finalist in the Miss DC-USA pageant.
Asha has starred in national commercials for K-Swiss, Papa Johns, and national print ads for RocaWear and K-Swiss. She has received rave reviews for her performances in independent films. Her indie films have been featured at The Los Angeles Film Festival, The Pan-African-Film Festival, The San Fransico Film Festival, The Ohio Film Festival, The American Black Film Festival-Miami, and countless others. In October of 2005, she starred in, “Before Jackie,” a short film about the life of Jackie Robinson, which debuted at the Harlem Film festival with high reviews. She has starred in over 20 theater productions in Los Angeles and Chicago, including Broadway hits, “The Vagina Monologues” and “Heaven Can Wait.” Asha Kamali has also appeared in television on UPN’s, “One on One,” UPN's, "Half and Half," and FOX’s, “Boston Public.”
Ms. Kamali has performed and choreographed for NBA's Washington Wizards Dance Team, Eric Benet, Mya, Destiny’s child, and Madonna to name a few. She has served as choreographer for the Los Angeles Theatrical Production, “Daddy’s Girl,” and was recently named choreographer for the upcoming Los Angeles musical, “Titslting.” Ms. Kamali also frequents the director's chair. She has served as co-director and director for children's theater productions in Orlando, Chicago, and Washington D.C. She was recently named choreographer for Atlantic Recording star, Keke Palmer, whos' upcoming debut album is set to be released in Spring 2007. Her choreography is featured in the music video, "All my Girlz," which is featured on the soundtrack of LionsGate breakout film, "Akeelah and the Bee." Asha also casted and starred in the video.
As a native of Chicago, Asha Kamali embraces the celebration of life through performance art and believes, like the meaning of her name, PERFORMANCE is indeed the “SPIRIT of LIFE.”
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