Premiere Dance Theatre Teaching Staff
STAFF
James Wiggins Jr, Founder, Executive Director
Shirlise McKinley, Co-Founder, Director
James A. Wiggins, Jr.,founder and Executive Director of Premiere Dance, Inc. planted his roots at the Montclair High School, School of Performing Arts. He continued his career as a triple threat performer at Jersey City State College. Gifted in all aspects of performing, Mr. Wiggins received many awards and accolades including the School of Performing Arts Award and the Eastern and Southern Ballroom Theater Arts Championship along with partner Diana Rogers. Mr. Wiggins' transition to becoming a choreographer was well received and well sought after by many in the dance arena, the music industry and the educational sector. Mr. Wiggins established himself as a reputable choreographer in the genre of American Modern Dance. He was one of few choreographers in the tri-state area who established a report with such well-known choreographers as Eleo Pomare, Fred Benjamin, Andre Tyson and the late, great Talley Beatty. James' professional troupe, Premiere Dance Theatre Company was commissioned to do several works by these legends.
In addition to setting works on his own hand-picked company, James choreographed for Tony Award Winner Tonya Pinkins of "Jelly's Last Jam", Shakiem Evans of "Center Stage" and "Mama Mia", Seymour Street Records, Rap Artist Sulaw, BBC and countless others. James Wiggins was also a leader in Arts and Education. He and his company developed and implemented several dance curriculums for the Newark Preschool Council, the City of Jersey City, Hillside Public Schools, Project Grad, Temple Sholom of West Essex and Long Island's Holiday House. Mr. Wiggins was also selected, based upon his expertise to be a member of the pilot team of New Jersey Performing Arts Center New Jersey Dance Academy.
Mr. Wiggins was proud of his accomplishments but especially proud of his role in inspiring those who have come through his school to continue their quest for excellence and achievement. He nurtured the talents of young dancers via scholarships and special performance opportunities offered at Premiere Dance Theatre School. Mr. Wiggins was a member of the National Association of Blacks in Dance.
Shirlise L. McKinley-Wigginsis a choreographer, instructor and Director of Premiere Dance Theatre, Inc. Ms. McKinley-Wiggins and her husband, the late, great James A. Wiggins, Jr. co-founded Premiere Dance Theatre and planted its roots in Montclair over two decades ago with a vision of being a vehicle by which aspiring dancers would flourish.
Described by many as a distinguished dance educator, Ms. McKinley-Wiggins has facilitated many programs for entities such as Montclair YMCA, Newark Pre-School Council, Newark Public Schools, Newark Boys' Chorus, Jersey City Public Schools, Hillside Board of Education, Montclair Public Schools, Centenary College, the College of St. Elizabeth and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, New Jersey Dance Academy.
Gifted in all aspects of the performing arts, McKinley-Wiggins' transition to becoming a choreographer was well received and well sort after by many in the dance arena, the music industry and the educational sector. She, with her partner, is one of few choreographers to establish a report with such well-known choreographers as Eleo Pomare, Fred Benjamin, Diane McIntyre, Andre Tyson, Freddie Moore and the late great Talley Beatty. The Wiggins' professional troupe, Premiere Dance Theatre Company was commissioned to do several works by these legends. In addition to setting on their own hand-picked company, Wiggins and McKinley-Wiggins have choreographed for Tonya Pinkins of "Jelly's Last Jam", Shakiem Evans of "Center Stage" and "Mama Mia", Seymour Street Records, Rap Artist Sulaw, BBC, BET executive and countless others.
Ms. McKinley-Wiggins has toured nationally and internationally as featured artist at the American Dance Festival, BET, Joyce Theatre, Lincoln Center Outdoors, Church at the Riverside, Brooklyn Academy of Music and countless other venues.
Ms. McKinley-Wiggins is an alumnus of Rutgers University and INROADS. She was an actuarial intern and commercial underwriter. She has four children, James, III, Jordan, Alisa and Vanessa and is a member of the National Association of Blacks in Dance.
Ms. McKinley-Wiggins trained at the School of the Garden State Ballet under the direction of Fred Danieli and Kyne Franks, Rutger's Mason Gross School of the Arts and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Ms. McKinley-Wiggins is grateful to her late husband's leap of faith in creating the Premiere Dance Theatre, a place that has inspired many to greatness.
James Wiggins III, Assistant Director, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Stretch Instructor
​James A. Wiggins, III is the son of the late great James A. Wiggins, Jr. and
Shirlise L. McKinley-Wiggins, co-founders of Premiere Dance Theatre.
James is trained in all areas of dance. He is an emerging teacher, gifted
choreographer and embraces his role as an instructor at Premiere Dance
Theatre. In addition to training under his mother and father, James has had
the privilege of studying under and performing works of such accomplished
professionals as: Talley Beatty, Fred Benjamin, Andre Tyson, Freddie
Moore and Kyne Franks. James is an excellent student who has appeared in several magazines as a model. In his spare time, James volunteers for the Pop Warner Football Association, constantly listens to music for inspiration to create new and exciting
choreography.
Vanessa Wiggins, Majorette, Contemporary, Tap, Jumps and Turns Instructor
Vanessa Wiggins is an accomplished professional dancer with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Rutgers University. She has a diverse performance history in Ballet, Horton, Hip Hop, Majorette,Tap, African, Contemporary, Majorette and Jazz. Wiggins, who is a native of Montclair, New Jersey began her training at Premiere Dance Theatre at the age of two. She is skilled in choreography and teaching, with a proven ability to cultivate a love for dance among students through engaging, high-caliber programs. Vanessa combines creative talent and technical expertise to design transformative dance experiences, fostering collaboration and excellence in educational settings.
Most proud of Performing for Newark Symphony Hall’s 100th anniversary and establishing a dance haven for the youth. Wiggins has performed at venues such as the Newark Museum of Art, BET, New Symphony Hall, and WNBA Hall Time performances. Wiggins has experience in music videos with K’AAN ft Chubb Rock, Alexandra DeMattia, and Jason Warley. As well as modeling for La’Frances Bennet Fashion Week NYC. Vanessa is skilled in team leadership, performance artistry, venue management, and dance instruction. Wiggins has trained with Premiere Dance Theatre working her way to to training under accomplished artists such as Freddie Moore, Kyne Franks, Nicolette Alberti, Dorian Rhea,Tiara Knox, Dr. Mama Wilhemina Taylor, John Evans, Ethel Newbold, and Kun-Yang Lin.
As an African American woman, dancer, choreographer, and future educator. One of the most important things that Vanessa values is taking the time to know yourself as an individual. She investigates and reflect on many disciplines while using the layers of society through which we move. So far her work is aimed to reach people from different nations and leave them feeling a sense of serenity and delight. Vanessa lets her choreography transport them to a different place. She creates movement styles that are generated towards a contemporary-house fusion of dance. Vanessa is passionate about creating works that reach people with different stories, emotions, and desires. Seeing how her work affects individuals emotionally motivates her to inspire the next generation to achieve one's ambition.
James "Icon" Grant, Jazz, Jumba Instructor
James "Icon" Grant started his training in ballet, modern, Jazz and Hip-hop in the early 90s studying under the late Great James Wiggins, Shirlise McKinley and Kim Richardson. He have dance with Taylor Dance Company and Newark City Ballet. With T.V experience with Gotham Casting He is now the CEO of Connection Entertainment and co-founder of JIRA Dance Connection. James "Icon" Currently teaches at Premiere Dance Theatre based out of Montclair NJ. Where he encourages students of all ages to accomplish there dreams as being a polished dancer.
Men-Ca, Horton Instructor
The bio-[Kemet]cal essence of Men Ca is in his name: mata is energy from the nucleus of the ca’nscious atam. A practitioner of defining that which he does through that which he is (i.e., Men Ca), his absolute Art and Science is simply to be ca’nscious at all times, in all times.
Thus, continuing to define the life force energy of love and understanding.
Ms.Tiara, African Instructor
Tiara C. Knox is a New Jersey-based dance educator, performer, and choreographer. Tiara began her dance training with Columbia High School’s Special Dance Company, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Umoja Dance Studio, and Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Dance Education from Montclair State University, where she received the Mary Ann Peins Award for Dance Education, and a Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance from Wayne State University.
Tiara dedicates her craft to enriching the lives of young dancers across New Jersey, and her role as an active member of Dance New Jersey and the National Dance Education Organization keeps her at the heart of the dance education community. Tiara has choreographed and performed at numerous dance festivals, including the Jersey New Moves Festival, Metrowest Dance Festival, and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. Currently, she is a valued member of Umoja Dance Company, a teacher at Premiere Dance Theatre, a teaching artist for NJPAC, and a full-time dance educator with East Orange Public Schools, where she continually inspires her students to discover and refine their creative voices through movement.
